Every once in awhile we all need a chance to recharge our batteries. The summer is the perfect time for a change of pace. Yes, I have been a bit quiet this month so far as I traveled abroad to London for a fabulous, well-deserved family vacation.
Since September, I have been working very hard on building my blog and freelance writing business. I knew that early February would be a time to step away and gain a new perspective. We were fortunate enough to venture off to London with the kids since my husband had a business trip scheduled there.
Right before we left, I received an article from the Chopra Center entitled 6 Reasons Why Traveling Is Good For You. The messages in this article were especially helpful because my anxiety had been acting up. I was thrilled to see how travel can play a role in stress reduction.
Now granted, part of my worries had to do with flying over a gigantic ocean and then having to entertain Katie on my own in a foreign country for much of the vacation. But I also knew that this experience would be good for me and my family. We needed to remove ourselves completely from the end of year craziness and challenge ourselves to explore a new part of the world out of our comfort zone.
How Travel Reduces Stress And Makes Us Happier
The Chopra article explains how travel can relieve stress and boost mental health. Stress reduction is one of the most important benefits of travel. A 2012 survey by Expedia found that 89 percent of vacationers said they could let go of stress and relax after only a day or two into their trip.
Getting out of our daily routines and experiencing new surroundings resets both our mind and body. Studies show that by just planning a vacation, we can experience a boost in happiness. Vacations give us something to look forward to and new opportunities to explore.
Why Travel Is Good For Your Kids
Wouldn’t you just love your children to feel more relaxed, be more confident, build meaningful relationships, and appreciate the world around them? Bringing your children with you on exciting vacations is so critical for their happiness and personal growth.
Katie was thrilled to learn about another country and to listen to the British accent. We saw the crown jewels at the Tower of London, witnessed the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, enjoyed an afternoon tea lunch at Kensington Palace, and explored museums filled with historical artifacts.
One part of our toolkit for raising happy, balanced children is to allow them to simply have fun, laugh, and explore the world around them.
