How Traveling Helped My Mental Health
If there was only one thing I could take away from my study abroad experiences, it would be how traveling has been one of the best things I’ve done for my mental health. I was lucky enough to attend Arcadia’s First Year Study Abroad Experience in London, England. Since then, I’ve also visited Paris and Amsterdam and I will be going to Scotland and Wales next year for a Global Field Study. Every destination I visit teaches me something new, not only about the world but also about myself. Stepping out of my comfort zone, meeting new people, and immersing myself in different cultures has helped me build resilience, reduce stress, and gain new perspectives that have positively impacted my mental well-being.
One of the biggest ways travel helped me was by challenging my comfort zones. I used to get anxious about trying new things or meeting new people, but travel forced me to confront these anxieties head-on. From navigating foreign transportation systems to learning basic phrases in another language, each experience built my confidence. Over time, I realized that stepping into the unknown wasn’t as scary as I’d once believed—it was liberating. The more I exposed myself to new experiences, the more my comfort zone expanded, and my self-doubt lessened.
Traveling also taught me the art of mindfulness. I found myself truly appreciating the present moment while walking through the streets of Amsterdam at night or even just getting on the tube to go to class in London. I realized that when I traveled, I wasn’t caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past. Instead, I was fully engaged with what was happening around me. This sense of presence has been something I’ve tried to carry over into my everyday life, helping me manage stress and anxiety.
Moreover, experiencing new cultures helped me gain a fresh perspective on my own life. Seeing how people live differently across the world gave me insight into how much I took for granted and how many problems I’d blown out of proportion. Witnessing the joy and resilience of people in communities with fewer resources reminded me of the importance of gratitude. Now, whenever I start feeling overwhelmed by life’s pressures, I try to remember these lessons, grounding myself in the knowledge that I am capable of handling whatever comes my way.
Another way travel boosted my mental health was by allowing me to detach from my everyday routines and digital distractions. Traveling encouraged me to “unplug” and be more intentional with my time. I wasn’t constantly scrolling through social media or refreshing my email. Instead, I was exploring cities, meeting new people, and trying local foods. This break from digital noise gave me the mental clarity I often struggled to find at home. The absence of constant comparison and stress over online appearances allowed me to reconnect with myself and feel a sense of peace.
Meeting people from different walks of life has also been a huge source of support and inspiration. Whether it was fellow travelers I met in hostels or locals who welcomed me into their homes, each person I encountered taught me something valuable. Hearing their stories and sharing my own helped me realize that I wasn’t alone in facing challenges. There’s a sense of camaraderie that comes with travel; everyone is there to explore, discover, and learn. These connections reminded me of the importance of community and how leaning on others can be a powerful tool for mental health.
Perhaps one of the most profound impacts of traveling on my mental health has been the sense of purpose it has given me. Travel reignited my curiosity about the world and my passion for learning. Every destination became a new chapter in my story, and each journey reminded me of the beauty of life’s possibilities. Whenever I feel lost or unsure about my path, I think back to those moments of awe I experienced on the road. Traveling has shown me that the world is much bigger than my problems and that there’s always a new adventure waiting to remind me of life’s beauty.
In the end, traveling and studying abroad has taught me that mental health is a journey, much like travel itself. It’s about taking things one day at a time, learning from each experience, and allowing yourself the freedom to explore who you are. The places I’ve seen and the people I’ve met have given me a toolbox of skills to manage my mental health better—from mindfulness and gratitude to resilience and community. It may not be a cure-all, but for me, it’s been a path to finding inner peace, clarity, and joy.
