According to a study by American Express on global travel trends, 57% of travelers plan to take a “long vacation to focus on their health.”
As September comes to a close and Self-Care Awareness Month comes to an end, solo travel is a growing trend as it provides a unique means for those looking to rejuvenate their mind and body.
Solo travel is emerging as more than just a buzzword, it’s a whole thing approach to health, trade spa days and meditation sessions for introspection, adventure, and transformative experiences. In an increasingly connected yet isolated world, heading out on your own can be the self-care outlet you never knew you needed.
Travel leads to a longer, healthier life
Travel allows people to escape from everyday life and immerse themselves in new environments. This change relieves people from the normal pressures and responsibilities of daily life and therefore helps reduce stress levels.
according to 2013 survey A survey by the World Commission on Aging and the Transamerica Retirement Research Center in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association found that most people see the benefits of traveling right away. According to this study, 89% of respondents said they felt “significantly less stressed” after their 1-2 day trip.
This reduction in stress directly impacts heart health and longevity. The same study found that women who rarely take vacations (less than once a year) were at “significantly increased risk” of heart disease and fatal heart attacks.a another study They also found that women who took at least two vacations a year were “less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress” than women who took vacations once every two years.
Women aren’t the only ones who benefit from travel and vacations. The same 2013 study also found that men who skip annual leave were 30% more likely to die from heart disease and 20% more likely to have a fatal heart attack.
Why you should travel solo for self-care
Anyone who has ever traveled knows that traveling is not stress-free, and there is a big difference between traveling alone and traveling with family, friends, or a significant other. is a travel expert, FTLO TravelTara Kappel explains that traveling with friends and family is a balancing act.
“When traveling with friends and family, you must balance your own desires and expectations with those of others, which may take away from your time for personally fulfilling activities. “Hmm,” she wrote in an email. “Traveling solo allows you to make more selfish decisions and customize your experience to suit you.”
Morgan Linson, known as Morgan the Explorer on YouTube and author of The Ultimate Experience, has been traveling solo for years. Her most recent solo trip was to Reykjavik, where she spent time at the Blue Lagoon. “She visited Iceland alone,” she explains.[meant] I didn’t have to communicate with anyone or worry about my budget. This is a pure example of why traveling solo is a new way for me to explore the world. ”
One of Linson’s biggest reasons for traveling alone is because she is fully aware that her life is very different from that of her friends and family. “Understanding that the world does not revolve around me gave me the courage and determination to go out and see it for myself,” she writes. She says, “You don’t have to compromise or follow someone else’s schedule. [travelers] It means fully accepting your own interests and desires. ”
Try traveling alone
In addition to relaxing and recharging, traveling solo can be a growing and enriching experience, especially for women. “Traveling solo allows women to demonstrate their independence and ability, fostering a sense of empowerment,” Linson explains. She also adds that her travels “…promote independence and the ability to trust one’s instincts, ultimately increasing self-confidence and self-confidence.”
To begin your solo journey, Capel recommends planning with intention. Try to do things that you know will help you recharge, like going for a sunrise hike or attending a local cooking class. “It’s the travel version of ‘you do you,'” she says.
Linson envisions a solo trip before planning it and encourages others to do the same. “If you ever want to try solo travel, just imagine it. Watch vlogs, get familiar with places you go, and imagine yourself there.” YouTube channels like Rinson’s are great It provides inspiration and gives would-be travelers a glimpse of what a destination is like.
Group tours are perfect for first-time solo travelers
If you’re still unsure about traveling solo, sign up for a group tour on your bucket list. Many companies cater to solo travelers, including FTLO. One of FTLO’s taglines is “traveling alone, not alone.”
“80% of travelers self-apply,” Capel wrote, adding that signing up for a tour like the one offered by FTLO means consenting to the planned experience. “Everyone is on the same page about the type of experience they want.”
Many group tours focus on international travel, traveling through South America, Europe, and Asia. Capel explains that part of the company’s focus is promoting “cross-cultural understanding.”Gourmets can sign up for a tour Basque region of Spaintravelers who want to take a shorter trip on this side of the world, 5 days in Havana, Cuba.
Another example is AmaWaterways, a company that organizes river cruises across Europe with health in mind.Travelers to register Grand Danube Ama Magna cruises include access to the ship’s Zen Wellness Studio, which features a fitness center and massage room, and guests are encouraged to participate in group fitness classes and fitness-focused excursions.
There’s no shame in booking a fancy hotel room and lying in bed for a day or two. As Capel says, you do it.
This article was created by Media decisions Syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Nicole Tommasulo is a Buffalo-born writer and editor based in Boston. Typically covering all things lifestyle, her beats range from food to the latest news, travel, mental health, and everything in between.
She holds a master’s degree in writing from Savannah College of Art and Design and has previously published books. list, heels down magazine, Hello, Couscousand some websites now defunct but not forgotten. xo jane and femme plain.
In addition to working at Wealth of Geeks, Nicole founded and runs a travel and food magazine. Taste + Wander. For more information, follow Nicole on Instagram at @nicoletommasulo or @savor_roam.
