A holiday is a wonderful opportunity to slow down and indulge in a short period of total relaxation. Whether you prefer to take it easy on the beach or stay busy on a break packed full of adventure, a vacation allows you the unique opportunity to leave your responsibilities behind and focus on your mental well-being for a little while.
Group holidays in particular can be a wonderful way to boost your mental health. In this guide, we look at exactly what makes this type of holiday unique, as well as some of the reasons you’ll benefit from taking one.
New opportunities and experiences
Exploring as a group holiday can open you up to a world of new opportunities and exciting experiences that you wouldn’t necessarily have available to you as a lone traveler. It becomes easier to explore areas outside of the tourist hotspots – you might feel safer traveling as part of a larger group, helping you to feel more comfortable and confident for the duration of your holiday.
Hoping to sample some traditional dishes, or try your hand at a new sport? Many countries have cuisines that are best shared socially. Likewise, activities like rafting and waterskiing are lots of fun when shared with friends and family on a group holiday, and are popular choices for more active breaks. The best part? Eating healthily and exercising frequently are surefire ways to boost your mental well-being.
A supportive, collaborative environment
While holidays are enjoyable, there are inevitably going to be some small stressors that come with traveling long distances. Holidaymakers who fear flying might find this aspect of traveling abroad a particularly unpleasant one, while others may worry about what they should pack, or how much money they have to spend.
Traveling with other people on a group holiday can help to alleviate these feelings of stress and anxiety. In a supportive, collaborative group environment, you can share your thoughts and feelings with like-minded people who are having the same experiences as you. You can also work together to tackle practical tasks, like coordinating travel arrangements and planning itinerary activities, which can further alleviate that pressure.
Bonding moments and lasting memories
Loneliness can be hugely detrimental to our mental health. In fact, one study found that social isolation contributed to depression – along with insomnia and cognitive decline, which often go hand-in-hand with mental health conditions.
A group holiday provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen your bonds with the people you hold dear and create lasting memories together that you’ll always treasure. Even if you opt to form a group with lone travelers, you’ll benefit from plenty of social interaction with like-minded explorers. A sense of camaraderie and belonging is important for a happy, healthy social life.
Getting the most out of your group holiday
Anyone and everyone can benefit from taking a group holiday. Not only are they lots of fun, but they tend to feel less stressed thanks to the cheaper fees and the sense of companionship and security that comes with traveling with others. Leave plenty of time to plan your break and create a detailed budget and itinerary to get the most out of your group holiday and maximize the mental health benefits.
This article was written for WHN by the Outreach Team at Original Travel, helping people to have great holiday experiences with practical advice and tips for transforming their travels into mouth-watering journeys that will leave lasting memories for their taste buds and wanderlust souls.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/food-tourism-guide-2024
https://www.calmer-you.com/anxiety-about-going-on-holiday
Human Connection: Why It’s Important I Psych Central
Millions Of Travelers Plan Their Vacations Around Food – WorldHealth.net
