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December 31, 2019

4 Little-Known Ways Planning a Vacation Can Revitalize Your Mental Health

Introduction 

If you’ve been feeling down in the dumps (and like your mental health needs a jumpstart), no worries, you’re not the only one. Many of us are overworked, overstressed, and overwhelmed by dealing with the everyday hustle and bustle. In fact, these are contributing factors to rising mental health concerns in the United States. Over 43 million Americans have sought mental health counseling as a solution. 

Did you know that experts say that you get more satisfaction from planning a new vacation than buying a new car? According to Cornell University and Psychology Today, these are some positive effects that planning your next vacation can have on your mental health. 

Keeping all these things in mind, it should come as no surprise should you find yourself in counseling — and your mental health provider suggests that you take a vacation as a form of therapy. Taking a vacation may sound cliche at first — until you dig deeper into the benefits that planning your next vacation offers. In this article, we discuss 4 little-known ways planning your next vacation can revitalize your mental health. 

1. Reconnect with Your Significant Other to Strengthen Relationships

According to Psychology Today and the US Travel Association, taking trips with your significant other can strengthen bonds in relationships. Creating new stories and memories with your loved ones can give you a new perspective on the relationship when you see your loved one in a new light. Perhaps your spouse has an adventurous side that you never got to see at home or that never came up during your couples counseling sessions. It may amaze you to find out how adept your loved ones are at finding directions, reading maps, or mingling with the locals! 

2. Travel Planning Helps Ease Mental Health Symptoms — Naturally 

Relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety by exploring a new environment. The benefits of traveling and taking a vacation show up as soon as you start planning your travel adventures. Learning about the history and culture of a place you’ve never been before can be invigorating. Preparing for your next individual, family, or couples vacation may be just the thing you need to get your mind out of the dumps. 

3. Conquer Your Fears and Increase Self-Worth

Learning more about the world around you can lead to an improved sense of security and self-worth. When you tackle the challenges of planning for and following through with travel plans to a new location to learn about new cultures, you begin to feel that you have a better handle on the small things that normally get you down in life. Taking a trip to a new location can provide you with a brand new perspective as you have a new outlook on life. 

4. Experience Natural Stress-Relief By “Getting Off The Grid”

Taking the time to destress and unwind from the everyday hustle and bustle whenever you can — is never a bad idea. In today’s world we’re always plugged in, tuned in, and scrolling. Spending time in a new environment by visiting natural resources like oceans, lakes, and beaches can do wonders for relieving stress and anxiety caused by workplace burnout, caregiver burnout, and leadership roles. 

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  1. […] there’s even more to that. The benefits of planning go beyond the happiness of satisfaction it can give you; it also allows you to think better, be relieved of stress, and, if you have a life […]

  2. […] The goal of planning your holiday should be to get a rough idea of what you want to do each day, but you shouldn’t plan it to exact times. If you plan a strict schedule, then it can be stressful trying to get from one activity to another. Plan one morning and one evening activity at most and give yourself plenty of time to relax and wander around. This gives you the most freedom yet still ensures that you have some goals for each day. […]

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