Travel Ticket Magazine - Book - Page 15
Travel Can Be Great
Therapy
Step into the world to gain a healthy attitude
toward your life back home.
By Redd E. Tuugo
Perhaps the answer is in one of my experiences. I arrived on a tropical island
and watched the sunrise while listening to the water ripple as the sea gently
stroked the shoreline. The lovely scene touched all my senses and effortlessly
made me forget about the burdens I carried. As I sat still and pondered the indescribable yet magni昀椀cent splendor of that moment, I found a surge of joy. I realized I was looking forward to living in the next moments. Worry disappeared,
replaced by an eagerness to experience the next hours, days, and weeks. I was
so surprised by this reaction that I told friends and colleagues, “I’ve got to do
more of this! It really was breathtaking!” And, temporarily, life-changing.
Truth is, most folks I’ve spoken with eagerly share the excitement of their experiences when they return from various trips—even if their views were of skyscrapers, farms, or even airport hotel lobbies. It seems that while they’re in a
new environment they aren’t so focused on the reason they’d left. Escaping
physically lets them take a break mentally as well. Stepping out offers an opportunity to reassess their circumstances, then garner the strength to come
back and persevere. I call this an attitude adjustment. Whatever name you give
it, leaving your base then returning refreshed works for many.
For the sake of mental health, we should all work routine travel into our lives.
Regardless of destination or distance, a stint in a new setting can be a great
step toward clearing our minds, seeing challenges from a new perspective,
gaining motivation, and maybe even building self-esteem. Travel smart, of
course. *Drink plenty of water, eat balanced meals and get plenty of rest while
on your journey. It’s math: trips + a healthy lifestyle = easing depression, stress,
anger, and anxiety.
So next time you’re wrestling with life’s most pressing challenges, take a deep
breath, go ahead-spend time somewhere different. Drive to the beach. Take an
auto train to a place you’ve never been. Trek through a vibrant city or along a
scenic hiking trail. Fly to a remote island. Explore a historical site. Join a bus
tour of a new-to-you town or attraction. Book a hotel or resort right in town for
a few days. Whatever you do, take the pressure off yourself and enjoy a trip for
YOU! You may 昀椀nd yourself refreshed, renewed, and invigorated upon return—
and that’s what travel is all about. A great artist, Ronald E. Kelly, once said to
me: “Never become so worried about tomorrow, that you can’t enjoy today!”
So, get going. You’re still above ground. Live and enjoy your life … to its fullest!
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