? When was the last time you traveled abroad? This allows you to maximize the stress-relieving benefits of both solitude and friendship. There is a large number of “one person” activities that you can explore and do. If you get the opportunity to decompress on your own terms, when you come back, you will feel more ready to really apply yourself to tasks and face new challenges ahead. Bon voyage! Generations of adventurers and seekers have set off on journeys of self-discovery, traveling alone to some of the world's most breathtaking destinations, and some of the best travel memoirs ever penned tell stories of travelers finding themselves while getting lost on their own. After traveling solo twice in my life, first for a couple of months in Europe years ago and now traveling solo around the world for almost a year, I’d like to throw my two cents in on some advantages and disadvantages of traveling alone, how to make it successful … Traveling the world isn’t just fun and exciting; there’s ample research to suggest it’s highly beneficial for your physical, mental and emotional health as well. Travel alone isn’t enough, however. Do you find it more relaxing than traveling with other people? When you’re alone, it’s easier to interact with others without feeling embarrassed or ashamed if they don’t respond. We all think we need someone to lean on, but in reality, we are capable of enjoying ourselves and being responsible without anyone’s help. Getting out of your comfort zone can help you be more comfortable in your own skin and more confident to make important decisions. Whether you haven't met that special someone, are traveling on business, or simply need some "alone time," traveling alone can be entirely different than going with a friend. Taking vacations and enjoying intentional solitude both have the potential to alleviate mild depression. According to one study, three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood. Although missing a connecting flight or losing baggage in a foreign airport is sure to boost your anxiety, traveling has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels, and rather dramatically. For ultimate relaxation, see what Organic CBD Nugs has to offer. Solo travelers don’t get bored easily, because their days are packed with interesting activities that they enjoy. On the other hand, enjoying your own company is as important as enjoying the company of others. : @nataliaanja “Before travelling alone, I realised how completely OCD I could be about things out of my control.Luckily, solo travel forces you to put things into perspective and decide just how much of a weakness you have time for. Interestingly, these benefits tend to linger for weeks after the trip has ended. Keep reading to find out how influential traveling on your own terms can really be. You know yourself and what works for you. Most people tend to be happier when they’re traveling and don’t have to worry about work, of course. Part of HuffPost Travel. The study found that women who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack than those who only travel every six years or so. Call For Submissions on the Theme of Separation, ‘We Are All the Same in the Dark’ is Sure to Become a Southern Classic Thriller, Review of ‘The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires’, Mississippi’s Broadband Revolution Brings the State’s Culture to the World, American Horror Story: Coven Location Guide, Self-publishing Poetry: 8 Points for Beginners to Consider, American Horror Story: Freak Show Location & Viewing Guide, Gullah-Geechee Roots Run Deep in South Carolina, How the Seminole Native American Tribe From Florida Benefits From the “Children’s Trust Fund”. Americans may say they like to travel, but most don’t venture abroad very often. Luckily, healthier alternatives are available for escaping the hopelessness of a depressed state. 3. This can help you understand yourself and how you react to such circumstances, preparing you for future similar situations. According to a study published in the Hostelworld Global Traveler Report,Americans are half as likely as Europeans to go abroad and visit more than one country. If you’re traveling or backpacking across the U.S., there are certain states where cannabis production is illegal, but as of 2019, in most cases, it is legal. Traveling alone can have its perks, especially right now. Mentally, physically and emotionally, you can gain a lot from packing your bags and visiting places you’ve never been. “Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,”explains Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School who hasauthored a number of studies that investigate the concrete links between creativity and international travel. By affording the traveler the necessary time and solitude for reflection, relaxation and introspection, solo travel can go a long way in reducing stress levels. Learn more about different cultures, meet the locals, drink with them or just go to the market and buy local specialties. According to research, travel may be one of them. When you don’t feel the pressure to please someone else and put their needs first, you really get to relax and enjoy quality free time alone. There's Plenty Of Time For Reflection & Introspection. Free from the distractions of daily life, you can focus your full attention on absorbing the present moment with all your senses. Solo travel can be beneficial for your mind and soul, allowing you to recharge your batteries while you become aware of what’s really important in life. Research on adolescents has found that time spent in solitude can ward off depression in young people. When you have to come up with activities for yourself, you can start being more creative and innovative. In a world accessible via YouTube, Google Earth, and virtual reality, many think they’ve already seen all the world has to offer, when they’ve really only stared at a screen a few inches in front of their face. 1. Three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood. But where will you go? As most solo travelers know, voyaging as a party of one certainly doesn't mean being alone. Affordability is evidently a big factor — about 71 percent of Americans say it’s too expensive to leave the country — but that’s hardly the whole story. Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the health benefits that researchers have explored and verified scientifically. Stressing about traveling alone, especially if this is your first time doing it, is entirely normal. Traveling for business is one thing, but I’m talking about packing your bags, logging out of your email account and disconnecting from your normal routine for a week or more. While traveling, you might find yourself stuck in situations you won’t normally experience in your daily life. Tear into the purchase of hemp flowers, tinctures or pre-rolls and see what works best for your body chemistry. Why and why not? Travel can make you healthier. Even if you're not actively meditating, you can still practice mindfulness in your travels just by taking care to be present and notice new things. We strive to celebrate the literature of the South by interviewing authors, reviewing their books, creating reading lists and visiting landmarks. Men who do not take an annual vacation show a 20 percent higher risk of death and 30 percent greater risk of heart disease. The idea of traveling alone is becoming more and more popular. And it's true: Getting to really know yourself is a wonderful and empowering byproduct of a solo journey. Traveling alone is the perfect time to be mindful. Not having to coordinate with a companion and devote time for another person's needs can eliminate a lot of potential travel stress. You’ll find a new purpose “To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” – Danny Kaye. In fact, 29 percent of American adults have never been abroad! Tell us: What are your favorite reasons to travel alone? Thousands of places across the world are worth visiting. All rights reserved. A Dutch study found that the anticipation of an upcoming vacation boosted feelings of happiness and well-being for up to eight weeks before the trip. So there are clear, scientifically-backed health benefits of traveling the world. Why traveling alone might be interesting for you. According to a joint study from the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, travelingactually keeps you healthier.