Depression, anxiety or sadness whatever you call it, everyone would have experienced those emotions at least once in their lifetime. Sometimes people are depressed for the reason best known to them and others time without any reason. You need not worry about depression it is just a common thing that anyone would experience. In this, I will be telling you Ways in which Travelling can help you fight Depression
In fact, it is been told that more than 300 million people including all ages suffer from depression.
Even I did come across such feelings right from my college days due to various reasons.
Table of Contents
Ways in which Travelling can help you overcome/fight Depression
Nature acts as a Natural Anti Depressant
Not just for mental problems even for physical problems, nature acted as a cure. In the olden days if people had a wound they use to apply wet mud or clay to cure it. It has been scientifically proved that there are certain clays that help you fight bacteria in the wound.
Not just that even during the Ramayana period, sanjeevni plants were used to cure serious medical conditions. Moreover, even till today medicines are made using natural substances.
This is to say that nature has got everything in it to cure all kinds of problems.
Looking at nature always makes us forget all our worries and makes us happy. Our brains are designed in such a way that everything gets cured.
Big Perspective
I love places that you realize how tiny you and your problems are- Anonymous
When we are in the same place, we have a tendency to magnify our problems to such an extent, that we think we can never put an end to the problem.
We think we are the only ones who are dealing with the problems. That too after the arrival of Instagram, Facebook and other social media, you feel, except you, everyone is happy as they are posting some nice pics and statuses. But that isn’t the fact, remember one thing everyone has their own problems and they are fighting in their own way to get out of it. No one likes to post sad things on social media so you need not worry.
It is always a better solution to hit the road. Only after travelling we will realize how small our problem is when compared to others. You will start approaching life in a positive way when you know your problem is negligible and can be solved. When positivity is filled within you, depression starts fading its way out.
Meeting New People
I think the root cause of problems that turn into depression is because you tend to beat around the bush. You stay in the same place and with same people knowing it is very painful.
When you are depressed talking to people around you becomes such a daunting task, as it keeps reminding you of something unpleasant. If you don’t talk you feel lonely and loneliness adds on to the depression.
Furthermore, when you travelling, there is nothing you can do, you have to talk to people. You can’t run away from people as you did in the past. Right from the moment you leave your house you have to talk to the taxi driver, hotel staff, restaurants staffs, tour guide, other tourists and many others whomever you come across. When you talk about different things to different people constantly your mind gets diverted and you will feel peaceful.
Above all, when you are travelling no one will judge you based on your past. This itself is a big relief because depression is also caused as you are worried about what others think of you.
When you are travelling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you.No yesterday on road. – William least Heat-Moon.
Travelling to a new place, new people and new things to about will always boost your positive attitude and happiness and I personally feel this is one of the best things that can help you fight depression.
Travelling makes you take better decisions in life
There are times when you can’t take decisions or advice from someone else also won’t be convincing enough. You will be completely confused and won’t be knowing what to do next.
Now you can ask me how is depression connected to decision making. In fact, difficulty in decision making is the core symptom of depression.
Take a solo trip to whichever destination you like to travel. When you take a solo trip you have been pushed to make decisions by yourself let that be to small or a big issue. You will be your own boss and no one to help you except you. All your hidden talents will pop out of nowhere. You will be amazed to see your own strength and out of nowhere, you will gain confidence.
You will realize that there is a solution to all the problems in this world and you start to find solutions for your problems.
After you return from the trip you will be completely a changed man. You will try to handle problems in an easy and matured way. You will make the right decisions which will get rid of depression from your life without causing harm to your mental health.
Travelling Involves More Physical Activities
Travel to different places and get involved in trekking, hiking, water sports or any other adventure things. Involving in physical activities like what is mentioned above will help you release Endorphins chemical with your body. Endorphins chemical helps relieve stress, boost happiness and combat depression in us.
Start travelling and signing for trekking, rock climbing and other activities to over depression.
I guess that is the reason why our elders always advised us to involve in physical activities on a regular basis. And it is very much evident that in the past, mental or stress-related issues weren’t seen much. Maybe it is also due to the lifestyle that we are living is leading us into such issues.
Planning and Anticipation of Vacation
A study conducted in Dutch proves that planning and anticipating your vacation can boost your happiness to the maximum. It is also told vacation or travel anticipation can boost happiness for 8 consecutive weeks. Therefore, start planning your trip to get rid of depression at least for some time.
Planning Your Itinerary keeps you busy and mind in focus
Travelling and Sleeping
One thing to be noted here is when you are depressed, you will be deprived of sleep. You won’t be able to sleep without taking sleeping pills. When you don’t get sleep, the thoughts that are causing depression starts multiplying and leads to severe mental illness.
It so happens when you are travelling, you will be doing a lot of things that you won’t do it on a regular basis. Activities like rushing to the airport, trekking, getting into a bus, walking, running, water sports etc. As a result, you will be dead tired not to sleep at the end of the day. No sleeping pills are required to put you off to sleep.
Travelling Answers Many Of Our Questions
Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.- William S. Burroughs
It is evident, you get answers when you least expect them. Therefore, instead of sitting in one place and thinking about the problem over and over again, go on a vacation. When you are on vacation relaxing, somewhere along your journey you would have got answers for many problems.
Travelling helps you hunt down the cause for the depression.
Conclusion
I think I was able to convince travelling is one of the best things to do to which can help you fight depression. Maybe, travel can’t cure depression completely but at least it will initiate the cause. Travel can build a strong platform in a positive way to fight against depression. If travel is something which is making a pathway to overcoming depression means, instead of questioning whether it correct or not, you need to put forth your step in that direction.
Well begun is half done. Aristotle
Also Read: Sustainable travel Tips
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