When I think of wellness, travel doesn’t necessarily come to mind first. Wellness often conjures images of massages, warm baths, yoga, journaling, naps, and healthy meals—all things I can easily enjoy from the comfort of my own home. Travel, on the other hand, feels more complicated. It involves planning, budgeting, and sometimes even stress: airfare, transfers, lodging, and that farm-to-table meal plan cooked by a professional chef with a menu priced higher than expected.
Then there’s that nagging voice questioning whether a “wellness” trip will truly deliver on its promises. Let me put your mind at ease: I don’t have all the answers. What I’ve learned, though, is that wellness and travel both depend heavily on our mindset. A mindset of doubt often leads to predictability because we seek confirmation of our uncertainties.
That said, let me share my perspective on how travel can inspire wellness. Picture yourself on a beach in Fiji, surrounded by autumn leaves in Germany, exploring jungles in Thailand, or standing amidst the bright lights of Times Square in New York City. These places can evoke a sense of wellness, but what’s most important is aligning our travel destinations with where we are emotionally—and where our inner selves need to go.
For instance, a lonely soul might find solace in the quiet familiarity of Forest Park, Oregon, surrounded by towering trees. Alternatively, they might experience a sense of connection in Boston, cheering alongside locals at a Yankees vs. Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Longstanding friendships can be rejuvenated with a girls’ trip to Tulum, Mexico, at an all-inclusive resort—providing time to reconnect with themselves as individuals rather than solely through their roles at home or work.
Travel isn’t just about family vacations or solo backpacking adventures. Just as wellness isn’t limited to long periods of sitting in silence, travel can be a pathway to rediscovering ourselves. The more places we explore, the more we uncover about our inner selves.
After all, isn’t that what wellness is truly about?
Article by Christina Verhagen
Originally published in Temecula City Lifestyle