The House of Sequins

Why Traveling Can Help Fight Depression

Blogger Sarah Lindner of The House of Sequins and Ashley of DTKAustin wearing free people cami and cami NYC cami

Blogger Sarah Lindner of The House of Sequins and Ashley of DTKAustin wearing free people cami and cami NYC cami

Depression is never black and white nor is it just feeling sad or unhappy. It’s not something that you will snap out of eventually or will completely disappear when you wake up one day. Living with depression requires day-to-day management and is unique to every person. Understanding your own depression is key to receiving the correct treatment. Endorphins and oxytocin play a huge role in the chemistry of our brain and the way our mood affects the way we perceive ideas, thoughts and beliefs. By traveling, endorphins and oxytocin are released in a myriad of ways through different experiences we encounter. Travel forces the brain to make use of these hormones to improve our mood and outlook. When you travel, you realize what a tiny, tiny part of the great wild world that you are, and how absolutely beautiful and freeing that is. When I’m traveling through a foreign country or city, I’m going to make a fool out of myself and go outside of my little world and explore.

Did you ever want to get outside of your head? Well all you have to do is step outside of it and get a new perspective. We need to stop overthinking everything and just do it. Sometimes we have to throw ourselves into situations that scare us again and again to push us to change and try new things. One day, you’re going to wake up and realize that you just freaking rocked something that scared the shit out of you a while back. This is what you learn when you travel a lot. That there is always a way out. That people and strangers you don’t even know will go to great lengths to help strangers out.

I’ve always been told that fear tells you that terrible things are going to happen. Depression tells you that the only way to make it stop is to end everything. Anxiety tells you that you can’t handle this. Travel teaches you that you can. There is no magical solution to depression or anxiety. Some may say traveling is just a mask to what the real problems really are, but this is just what has helped me. Traveling made me realize how much I appreciate the little things in life. This is why I just took a trip to Austin to meet fellow blogger Ashley from DTKAustin.

Here is how traveling has helped me:

1. Allows you to reflect and recharge.

Hiking a great trail? Laying out on a beach listening to sound of rolling waves? Reading a good book poolside? Meeting new people? Travel allows you the ability to do what you want on your own time which includes fully relaxing and figuring out what truly makes you happy. The best times of reflection and decision-making are when you’re free of stress.

2. Doing the things you want to do without any judgment.

Whether you want to curl up and hang out in a hotel room with a book or you take some time for yourself by watching the waves roll in; traveling releases you from your daily obligations and you can do, think, and feel whatever you desire without judgment.

3. Getting out and meeting new people.

Depression can often bring social anxiety and meeting new people can become something you want to avoid. At home, meeting new people can be hard, but when traveling, you are more likely to meet open, friendlier people who are easy to strike up conversations with. Traveling creates a common bond between fellow travelers because a lot of you are sharing similar experiences. Friendships carved from traveling can be a constant reminder of your positive memories and help you with your depression once you’re back home.

4. The world itself can be a natural antidepressant.

Traveling can give us a sense of awe that we don’t necessarily get the chance to notice when we’re seeing the same places and people everyday at home. That awe can have a huge effect on our well-being and happiness and this is in abundance when traveling to different cities and countries.

5. Gets you out and moving.

One of the biggest challenges of depression is having the energy or motivation to continue to keep moving, but traveling has a great way of making us step outside of the box and get up and just move.

Blogger Sarah Lindner of The House of Sequins and Ashley of DTKAustin wearing free people cami and cami NYC cami

Blogger Sarah Lindner of The House of Sequins and Ashley of DTKAustin wearing free people cami and cami NYC cami

Blogger Sarah Lindner of The House of Sequins and Ashley of DTKAustin wearing free people cami and cami NYC cami

Blogger Sarah Lindner of The House of Sequins and Ashley of DTKAustin wearing free people cami and cami NYC cami

Blogger Sarah Lindner of The House of Sequins and Ashley of DTKAustin wearing free people cami and cami NYC cami

Blogger Sarah Lindner of The House of Sequins and Ashley of DTKAustin wearing free people cami and cami NYC cami

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Comments

  1. Such a great post! I’m glad I could be a part of it! 🙂

  2. Traveling always helps me to feel so recharged and gives me a more positive outlook! I’m so glad that you were able to take this trip to Austin.

  3. I am obsessed with both your girls’ outfits! Super cuuuute! And I love this post! So many people are afraid to talk about depression but I love how open you are about what depression is and is not. I can totally see how traveling and seeing new places and things can help with depression!

    Xo, Steph | http://www.sassandsun.com

  4. What a beautiful post and it’s SO true. I had been feeling a little down and went to Vermont this weekend and it just allowed me to regroup and feel SO much happier!
    xx
    lauren

  5. My best friend is always always traveling. She says the same thing, that it helps the soul to see more of the world and open yourself up to new experiences! I haven’t been anywhere since my daughter was born and I’m hoping at some point in the not too distant future I can get out of Florida for a bit and recharge! I think every mama needs some time to find herself.

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