How Travel Can Boost Your Mental Health and Well-being
- Kendra Horne
- Jun 28
- 5 min read
My true passion is traveling! I have always loved it, and there’s something about stepping out of my comfort zone to explore a new city, its sights and smells, that has always been good for my mental health. Traveling leaves me feeling refreshed, more confident, and truly myself. I began traveling significantly in my early 20s, and more recently, my husband and I have had the opportunity to travel the world with our children. In addition to spending our vacations in new countries, we are actively seeking the chance to move abroad and explore what it would mean for our family.
Is traveling beneficial for your mental health, or does the thrill of a vacation merely make you feel better?
I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle. While there is a certain high that comes with being on vacation, I think fundamentally that aspects of other countries are more supportive of mental health. The American hustle culture and the constant drive to do more, make more, and be more is exhausting, and I can no longer keep up. My husband and I have decided that we want our family to live differently, but we are still working through the details of what, where, how, and when.
Why is this? Why is travel beneficial for your mental health and well-being, and what aspects of other countries and cultures can we learn from to implement in our daily lives?
5 Ways Travel can Positively Impact Your Mental Health and Wellbeing
1. Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Stepping away from your daily responsibilities lowers stress levels and allows your mind to reset. Travel encourages relaxation, helping to ease tension and improve mood.
2. Boosts Creativity & Perspective
Experiencing new cultures and environments expands one's worldview, fostering creativity and fresh ideas. Exposure to different ways of life can also shift one's mindset and encourage personal growth.
3. Strengthens Emotional Resilience
Navigating unfamiliar places builds adaptability and problem-solving skills, increasing confidence and resilience. Facing new challenges while traveling can help you feel more capable.
4. Encourages Mindfulness & Presence
Travel naturally encourages living in the moment, helping you break free from overthinking and stress. Whether exploring a new city or relaxing in nature, travel promotes mindfulness and emotional balance.
5. Improves Social Connections
Meeting new people and immersing yourself in different cultures can strengthen social connections and a sense of belonging. Expanding your support network can also help combat loneliness and improve emotional well-being.
How to Get the Most Out of Travel Experiences
Travel isn’t just about seeing new places; it’s about immersing yourself, making meaningful memories, and stepping outside your comfort zone. As I consider how to maximize the benefits of travel experiences, I would suggest starting by using your PTO - Your vacation days exist for a reason! Take the time off, disconnect from work, and fully immerse yourself in the experience without distractions.
Three Ways to get the Most out of Travel
Mix with the Locals - The best way to understand a place is through its people.
Engage in local conversations, ask for recommendations beyond guidebooks.
Visit markets, cafes, and small businesses to experience the culture truly.
Participate in community events or workshops to immerse yourself in daily life.
Venture Beyond the Tourist Centers - The heart of a destination often lies off the beaten path.
Explore hidden gems, smaller towns, and lesser-known neighborhoods.
Seek out authentic experiences rather than just ticking off famous landmarks.
Go for local eateries instead of chain restaurants; you’ll thank yourself later.
Try Something You Wouldn’t at Home - Travel is the perfect opportunity to push boundaries and embrace new experiences.
Taste local dishes outside your comfort zone.
Participate in cultural traditions, adventure activities, or explore new art forms.
Challenge yourself by learning basic phrases in a new language or trying a skill you’ve never considered.
The best trips leave you changed, inspired, and more connected to the world and yourself.
What can we Learn from Other Countries, Cultures, and Communities?
We can learn a great deal from the cultures of other countries, which can broaden our perspectives and challenge our assumptions in daily life. What do other countries often celebrate that we might be overlooking? A stronger sense of community, living to work rather than working to live, the beauty of slow meals and social eating, and prioritizing rest and mindfulness. Let’s dive further into each of them.
Strong Sense of Community
A thriving community provides emotional support, fosters a sense of belonging, and encourages shared experiences, reinforcing the idea that we’re stronger together than alone. Prioritizing relationships, whether through friendships, local connections, or cultural traditions, creates a foundation of trust, understanding, and collective care that is often lacking in American culture. Having moved to Dallas, TX from Canada, I know firsthand that I have not been able to rebuild my community like I had back home, and as an adult, it has been difficult to establish lasting relationships that are not based on work.
Working to Live, Not Living to Work
Many cultures emphasize balance over hustle, reminding us that work should support life, not consume it. Shifting the focus from relentless productivity to meaningful living allows for greater joy, rest, and personal fulfillment.
Slow Meals & Social Eating
Food is more than nourishment; it’s a shared experience. In many places, meals are moments for connection, storytelling, and slowing down, rather than being rushed between obligations. Prioritizing community dining and mindful eating helps cultivate gratitude and a sense of presence.
Prioritizing Rest & Mindfulness
Rest is not a reward, it’s essential! Cultures that integrate pauses, reflection, and mindful rituals into daily life foster resilience, emotional balance, and deeper self-awareness. Recognizing that mental and physical restoration are just as valuable as action leads to a more sustainable, fulfilling existence.
Travel is an essential part of my life, giving me a sense of purpose. Mike and I are eager to explore opportunities to provide our children with a different life. In the meantime, we're looking forward to our next vacation, where we can explore a new country and teach our children about new cultures. Where are you off to next? Let's keep the conversation going in the comments below.
Additional Reading on Drifting Towards Simplicity
Additional Travel Resources
The content on Drifting Towards Simplicity is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment—please seek support from a licensed professional if needed.
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