Things We Learn From Travel
JYOTI GILL, MA, RCC, VITALITY COLLECTIVE
SURRY THERAPIST & REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
When was the last time you did something for the first time? What are some bucket list places you want to visit, but haven’t had the time/resources to do so yet? What would you do if you had 1 million dollars? These questions, when asked, often bring up a common theme for people around a yearning for adventure and novelty. A lot of people find that travelling, local or abroad, is a way of fulfilling these yearnings.
People often find that they experience new things, and experience a sense of novelty when travelling. They also find themselves feeling more adventurous when they have to break out of their daily routine. Travelling has become more and more accessible to people with increased globalization, and many people are also coming to see it as an act of self-care – a way to reward themselves for the hard work they do throughout the year. In fact, research has found that people who travel tend to report more positive effects on their perceived health and wellness (Chen, 2013).
Now, travelling does not always have to be too foreign countries, and it also does not need to be hard on the bank account. For readers who live in Canada, we may be well aware that we live in a country that is a huge travel destination for people from all over the world. So sometimes, it is a matter of figuring out what local sights you could visit or adventures you could be having from the comfort of your home.
Even when travelling abroad, there are tons of ways to save money through using hostels, shuttle services or other public transport, day passes for sights and attractions, couch-surfing, etc. When money is tight, people may put off taking a vacation, however, there may be ways to enjoy the perks of travelling through a “staycation” and still experience a sense of adventure, novelty, and relaxation.
For people who work regularly, having a vacation can be something to look forward to. It can be a way to de-stress, a time out from the responsibilities of life, and a way to prevent burnout/exhaustion. Research has shown that not only do workers experience less burnout and higher job satisfaction when they take a vacation, but also there tends to be a decline in absenteeism (Westman and Etzion, 2001). People are less likely to call in sick or be absent from work when they have taken their vacations. This makes sense when we consider how important rest and relaxation are to ensure sustained productivity.
Another great thing about travelling is that it exposes you to new cultures. Many past writers have written about how travelling to different countries exposed them to cultures and ways of life they would otherwise not have experienced. This eye-opening experience can help open people’s minds to differences in cultures, allowing for more peaceful coexistence amongst diverse people. Mark Twain said:
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts”
Before visiting a different culture, people may have preconceived ideas about it, beliefs formulated from what they have read or heard, however, the actual experience of being immersed in a different culture can really open one’s mind to the inclusion of “the other”, challenging any prejudices one may hold.
Travelling can also shift one’s perspective as you come to understand your own privilege and the abundance you have in your life. Visiting places that are less resourced can make one grateful for the abundance of resources in your own country. Travelling can also put into perspective how big the world is, allowing people to see themselves as a small part of this world. Gustav Flaubert said:
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world”
This perspective can bring one’s problems into proportion.
It can also help people feel a kinship with other people in the world, allowing them to feel less alone in certain experiences. Often, the stress of people’s problems is made lighter when they find others who too share their experiences, they can feel a sense of commonality simply by knowing that they are not alone and that there are others like them as well. Travelling is a great way to widen one’s perspective and find others who share your experiences as you encounter a multitude of different stories and lifestyles.
It can be helpful to also journal about your learnings during or after travel to solidify and integrate this learning into your views of life. People often report continuing to learn from their experiences of travel long after they have returned from vacation. So the next time you travel, locally or internationally, try to be mindful of how giving yourself this luxury can not only fulfill your needs for adventure and relaxation but also end up having a positive impact on your mental well-being as well.
References:
Chen, C. 2013. Health and wellness benefits of travel experiences: a literature review.
Westman, M, and Etzion, D. 2001. The impact of vacation and job stress on burnout and absenteeism.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229159092_The_impact_of_vacation_and_job_stress_on_burnout_and_absenteeism