By Ariane Bourgeois
With the contribution of Patrice Coquereau
Summer is coming to an end and you're not ready to go back to school? Did you take the time to get away from it all this summer?
It is after an exchange with Patrice Coquereau, invigorated by his magnificent 7-day trip to Iceland, that we decided to share with you the benefits of traveling, of taking the time, of emptying one's mind in order to better resume later.
Traveling, short or long, close to home or on the other side of the world is, in our opinion, one of the best ways to unplug and reconnect with yourself.
What's more, the benefits of travel are not only felt during the trip, but begin the moment you start planning the trip and continue even after you return.
Planning and anticipation are a source of comfort
In fact, a 2014 study from the University of Cornwall found that planning your travels in advance brings more comfort than just going.
You know that feeling of freedom you get when you press the "book" button when you buy a plane ticket or reserve an accommodation? It's like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders; you feel light and suddenly you're ready to face all the obstacles in your path until you leave.
The University of Cornwall study also found that the anticipation of enjoyment, particularly of travel, is more pleasurable than the immediate or delayed consumption of material goods.
Why? When we plan a trip, we get excited and feverish. We think about our trip, we imagine how good it will be. We are more positive and less stressed, because when we focus on something positive, like organizing a trip, it is a project and projects are sources of good mood and motivation. This motivation encourages us to give the last big efforts to finalize our files before leaving for the vacations.
Recharge your batteries while traveling
Of course, the benefits don't stop with planning the trip. While the anticipation is exhilarating, not being on vacation yet, we must continue to focus on our tasks. It's when it's time to go that we can finally let go. And, in our busy schedules, it's important to take the time to disconnect.
The positive effects of travel are numerous. Here are some of them.
First, when we travel, we take time to discover a destination. We then concentrate on other things and we empty ourselves of all that concerns our work. It allows us to take a mental break and recharge our batteries.
Then, travel, as Patrice says, "it raises and reveals"! It is revealing of oneself and of the other. If you really want to know a person, according to Patrice, there is nothing better than to travel with them. And it's revealing of oneself because, when we travel, we give ourselves a space and we open up to the world. Traveling allows and even forces us to leave our comfort zone. As we discover a new place, a new culture, a new language, we must inevitably adapt and open ourselves. This adaptation leads us to discover who we are, but also to forge our personality and our character.
Sometimes, when we are about to leave, we can hear different stories from those around us. Why? Because people tend to project their fears. So you have to be wary of what you hear and be open to it. It's all about attitude! Be positive and everything will work out for the best. Besides, travel is a great antidepressant. It's a way out and a breath of fresh air. It allows us to rest our minds and free ourselves from our constraints.
Traveling also allows us to stop and think. As we reconnect with ourselves and enjoy the fresh air, our minds open up. We get inspired and come back with a good dose of creativity ready to face anything!
The gratitude of return
Travelling is a privilege. We must be aware of it and be grateful for it. Traveling allows us, among other things, to become aware of our conditions and freedoms and to see things differently.
Once the trip is over, you come back with more energy and less stress. You are ready to go back to work and you are even more productive!
You don't have to go far to enjoy the benefits of travel. The important thing is to get away from it all and get a change of scenery.
Traveling like Patrice Coquereau
A nature and walking enthusiast, Patrice likes to travel simply and to get away from it all. Recurring short trips are a source of well-being for him. His must-sees when traveling? With his lover, Louis, he loves to immerse himself in the local culture, observe and meet people. He usually takes the opportunity to discover his chosen destination on foot or by public transportation and sometimes through excursions. What he likes most of all is to improvise!
Actor, author and director, Patrice Coquereau has overcome his anxiety disorders, and now wishes to share his experiences to help all those who suffer from them, thanks to his book Guérir à gorge déployée and his conference Face à face avec l'anxiété . To find out more, visit speaker.