“Self-care” is a relatively new phrase that seems to have made its way into our everyday vocabulary. Suddenly, journals for self-care line store shelves, business journals have integrated the term into their articles, and companies are marketing their products in ways that help us imagine incorporating them into our self-care routines. 

While everyone’s version of self-care slightly differs, most people would agree that traveling fits all the criteria often contributed to the popular term. After all, self-care isn’t just about relaxation—though marketers may beg to differ. In actuality, it’s more often focused on being mindful and taking the time to improve yourself. The following points illustrate how travel is inextricably linked to self-care:

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

One of the most important components of self-care is growth, and what better way to experience personal growth than to get out of your comfort zone? While trying something new, scary, and exciting can be done close to home, traveling to a new place brings it to a whole other level. 

If you’ve never traveled alone, booking a solo trip can be a great way to get out of your personal comfort zone. It will also help boost your independence and instill the confidence to tackle challenges on your own. If a vacation by yourself seems a bit too challenging still, try signing up for a group hiking excursion! When it comes to getting out of your comfort zone, the world is your oyster.

Improve Your Physical Health

Yes, you read that right—people who travel often have demonstrated lower stress levels and a decreased risk for heart attacks. Anxiety and stress levels have skyrocketed in recent years, and researchers have been continuously studying how the phenomenon affects an individual’s overall health. To date, stress has been linked to frequent colds and the flu, stomach issues, and nausea, and dizziness. 

Booking a vacation a few times a year—even if it’s to a town just a few miles away—can significantly decrease your overall stress levels, giving you a chance to reset. When you actively take the time to rest, your body will thank you! You may even find yourself feeling increased levels of creativity and inspiration, making your vacation more productive than you might have imagined. 

Connect Deeply With Your Intuition

In our daily lives, we can often fall back on routine. While at work, we use logic and analytical thinking to boost our performance. At home, we shift into autopilot after a long day in the office. Our day-to-day routines can often work to suppress our intuition or trust our gut. 

When you travel to an unfamiliar place, you have to rely on your senses. If visiting a destination where you don’t speak the language, you have to be extra-aware of nonverbal cues, including body language, street signs, and even the prickly feeling of goosebumps when you feel a bit uneasy. When you listen and act on those cues, you’re working alongside your intuition to guide your actions. Trusting your gut can help save your life in unfamiliar situations, but it can also help you navigate day-to-day decisions in a more genuine manner.

Bubble baths and face masks are still a great way to practice self-care, especially if paired with journaling or meditation! However, if you’re looking to boost your self-care practices, try booking a vacation to use your travel experience to fuel new growth.