Depression is a debilitating mental illness that is surprisingly common these days, and it can really affect anybody at any time. Mental health problems do not discriminate, and you don’t have to be ‘sad’ to suffer from them. Hundreds of thousands of perfectly happy, stable people with careers, families and a high quality of life suffer from depression, and it can often feel like an illness that is simply impossible to fight. Fighting against depression requires a lot of force, self-esteem and support from others, but self-esteem is precisely the thing that it often totally destroys.
Though support from others is essential, overcoming depression is really a battle that one must fight, gradually building up self-esteem, practicing self-love and carrying out activities that help with treatment and to tranquilize the mind. When suffering from depression, even the simplest things can seem impossible. Just getting out of bed and washing can feel like an impossible chore for many, and getting out of that mindset is very difficult and requires patience.
One of the best ways to treat depression and work towards a healthier mind and happier you is to get out and travel. You can travel alone, or with friends, or you could even try travelling with your brother. Having support from family and friends is always helpful. Sometimes, when just getting out of bed feels like a chore, the idea of traveling and getting outside your comfort zone can be a scary thought, but it is precisely this that will help condition your mind and give you purpose, a distraction from the everyday routine, and plenty of things to be excited about and look forward to. Getting out of the same routine and trying new things may seem exhausting, but really it is incredibly refreshing, and for many suffering with depression, it is just what they need.
Accepting the challenges that come with traveling and letting yourself go in this sense are great ways of practicing self-love and help with self-belief. Getting out there to travel will make you feel strong and help you grow as a human being, and even meet new people. You may even meet others suffering from depression, and sharing your stories could be incredibly healing for both parties.
Before heading out, you should make sure that you are insured and that you will not run into any problems should you need access to medication or medical help whilst you are away from home. When suffering from depression, one of the most important things is to feel secure and to not have to worry about anything. Travel insurance for depression can be difficult to find, since it is not a physical illness, but you can find special insurance companies that understand your needs and that cover psychological conditions, understanding that they are equally important.
There are tons of stories out there about people who have helped treat their depression through traveling. Certainly, traveling is no miracle cure, and mental health does not just go away like that. It is a constant battle, an ongoing process and something that gradually gets better. But for many, traveling could be just the thing needed to help and to make themselves feel much better. Its benefits are plentiful, and its psychological and physiological benefits are undeniable.
The U.S. Travel Assocation carried out a poll thats results found that travel also prevents dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and that it helps people to live longer. Why? Because they are happier, more satisfied with life and have better moods than those who do not travel. Travel reduces stress, it provides an essential break from the often-exhausting routine. Just knowing that you have a trip planned can improve an individual’s sense of well-being, according to this study carried out by The University of Surrey. The study states that traveling impacts the individual’s overall well-being, stating that “it appears that those who are waiting to go on a holiday are much happier with their life as a whole, experience less negative or unpleasantfeelings and thus enjoy an overall net positive effect or pleasantfeelings.” (Gilbert, 2002).
