To travel is often seen as a matter of seeing – of visiting, witnessing and remembering something you’ve never seen before. It’s sightseeing, it’s attractions, it’s ticking off items on “things to do before you die” lists. And seeing travel this way is, in a word, boring. There’s more to the world than saying you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower. And you deserve more from your holiday than a series of queues for overrated tourist-trap attractions.
Travel can be so much more thrilling, rejuvenating, exhilarating than this. And it is, for those that embrace the power of active travel. Sporting holidays, walking trips, adventure tourism; it’s all part of a grand tradition in holidaymaking, and all quite proven to improve wellbeing too. Here, let’s explore more intimately what that means, and what it could mean for you.
Why More People Are Choosing Active Travel
Active travel has always been here, but it’s more ‘here’ than ever – and for good reason. Active travel has become much more appealing to holidaymakers, being a neat way to combine the rest and relaxation of an international break with healthier life choices. Instead of languorous days sitting poolside, many of us now prefer holiday experiences that embrace physicality, keep us moving and introduce us to new ways in which to release dopamine.
The Link Between Movement and Better Mental Health
Dopamine is the operative term here, being that it connects physical and mental wellbeing in a pretty cohesive way. We already know there are physical and mental health benefits to going on holiday, simply for the fact that taking a break from stressful routines is better for the heart and mind. But spending time outdoors while being active is also a major opportunity to reduce stress and improve overall mood – for two distinct reasons.
Physical exercise is a proven mental health boon, since it stimulates the release of happiness hormones in the brain and helps us self-regulate. At the same time, mindful experiences of nature – be they walking through forests, cycling quiet routes or exploring mountain landscapes –encourage a reconnection with nature, with corresponding wellbeing boosts.
Finding Activities That Feel Rewarding
Staying active, by itself, can feel more like a chore than anything else – which is what makes the active holiday such a compelling prospect. It’s an opportunity to twin restoration with a sport that feels genuinely enjoyable. That could mean ski weekends with friends, or simply a slower holiday itinerary of trail-walking through a lesser-travelled forest on a new continent.
Active holidaymaking is nothing new, but it can be for you. Not only is it an opportunity to get more out of your annual getaway, but it’s a chance for you to inspire yourself into healthier routines. You may find that the confidence gained from trying a new sport abroad carries over into your everyday life!
