2023 Issue 5 Sept/Oct Focus - Mid-South Magazine
Focus Mid-South Magazine
Focus Mid-South Magazine
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health+wellness<br />
Mental Health<br />
Benefits of Travel<br />
by Shadeau Rhodes, LCSW, CFTP<br />
Ferren Family Counseling<br />
When people hear about traveling it seems as though<br />
they respond with either excitement and fun or stress and<br />
anxiety. I’m sure you’ve heard both wonderful and chaotic<br />
traveling stories from friends, family, and others in your life.<br />
You probably even have your own travel stories.<br />
Travel doesn’t have to be something big or<br />
extravagant, like a weeks-long vacation. It can be<br />
something as simple as a change of scenery for a couple<br />
of hours or a day trip to somewhere new. Taking a few<br />
hours regularly can change how we see our lives to<br />
create a more positive outlook.<br />
While traveling can create stress and anxiety, there are<br />
strategies that can be used to decrease levels of stress<br />
when preparing for a good trip. Once you decide on your<br />
destination, start figuring out the details–where to stay,<br />
what to pack, available activities, and transportation. You<br />
can make these as detailed as you need. Some people<br />
thrive with more general information and choices while<br />
others may prefer checklists and itineraries. Do what<br />
makes you feel comfortable.<br />
Even though traveling can be stressful, research<br />
shows that there are numerous benefits for our mental<br />
health. Overall, traveling can reduce stress and decrease<br />
symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can also give<br />
people something to look forward to and can help<br />
increase creativity and performance. Travel often gives<br />
people a way to live their lives and engage in activities<br />
that bring them happiness. It gives us a temporary break<br />
from our daily life, daily routines, and our responsibilities.<br />
We’re able to live in the moment.<br />
Traveling also presents opportunities to reconnect with<br />
nature, learn new information about where we are (locally<br />
or elsewhere), and come into contact with others who may<br />
be from different backgrounds (race, identity, economic,<br />
faith, etc.). We learn to appreciate the world and the<br />
people who inhabit it.<br />
Galyna Andrushko /Shutterstock<br />
20 Go! | <strong>Sept</strong>+<strong>Oct</strong> <strong>2023</strong> | focuslgbt.com
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