You can say as much as you want that trips are just a change of picture, a beautiful feed on social networks and pleasant memories. But here's the fact: travel has a real impact on health: scientists have proven that it reduces stress levels, improves cognitive abilities, and can even prolong life.
But there is one special type of travel that changes a person not only physically, but also internally – these are solo trips. Yes, yes, the very ones that seem frightening, strange and even a little risky. In fact, they have a hidden superpower in them!
Why is traveling alone cool?
People are often afraid to go somewhere alone. It seems that without company it will be boring, there is no one to share emotions with, and in general – what if it is not safe?
But once you make up your mind, your fears disappear. On the contrary, solo travel has so many advantages that at some point it may seem: "Does it make sense to travel with anyone at all?! ».
- First of all, no one pulls you to museums that you are not interested in, no one grumbles that "it's time to go", no one argues where to go for dinner. Complete freedom of action!
- Secondly, traveling alone is not about loneliness. On the contrary, you meet new people faster! When there is no usual circle of communication around, the brain begins to work differently: it notices more details, becomes more sensitive and open. A study in the European Journal of Personality found that such trips make people friendlier and less anxious.
It's like character training: in a new environment without the usual supports, a person adapts, becomes braver and easier to contact.
How does solo travel change personality?
Have you ever noticed that at home we often live by inertia? Work, home, meeting friends – the day is like a day. But as soon as he left, suddenly...
- You will learn something new about yourself. Some cities suddenly seem "yours" to you, and in others you feel like a stranger. Why? This is an interesting question, the answer to which can tell a lot about your real desires.
- You stop being afraid. When a person finds himself alone in an unfamiliar place, he has to rely only on himself. Finding the right bus, figuring out the map, agreeing in another language – all this seems difficult at first, but with each new victory comes confidence: "I can do it!"
- You learn to be in the moment. When there are no usual interlocutors nearby, you look around more, catch little things: the smell of coffee in a small street café, an old man reading a newspaper in the park, the laughter of children in the square. Also this fills the moment with a special meaning.
Confidence, Freedom, and Mental Health
Traveling alone is also a powerful shake-up for self-esteem. Dr. Chloe Carmichael Peet, a licensed psychologist, says, "When you take on something important alone, it proves your inner strength." Every step you take on your own—choosing a hotel, planning an itinerary, talking to locals—shows that you can do more than you thought. This is already a serious application for changes in life!
Another plus is the reboot. Solo travel helps you look at yourself from the outside — without the usual conversations, without routine, without the pressure of society. Just you and the new world around you. Psychologist Abby Sangmeister says, "It's important for mental health to go beyond the usual." It is at such moments that realizations often come that were not at home.
Time to pack your suitcase?
If you have long wanted to change something, but did not have the determination, a solo trip can be the very first step. This is a chance to see new places, meet interesting people, and test yourself in an unexpected situation. The main thing is to get a little closer to yourself.
Who knows, maybe one day such a trip will change your life!
