Is Vacation Good for Your Health? 6 Benefits of Traveling - GoodRx (2024)

Many people think of traveling as a once-in-a-while luxury, but you may want to put “take a vacation” at the top of your to-do list. Research shows that traveling just might offer some health benefits, both physical and mental. And it doesn’t have to be a faraway getaway; a vacation could just be a mental break from your typical duties and responsibilities.

Here, we’ll dive into six possible health benefits of traveling and how often you have to travel to reap those rewards.

6 possible health benefits of traveling

From potentially reducing your risk of heart disease to lowering your stress levels, traveling may affect your well-being and quality of life. Here are the most common possible benefits of traveling, backed by science.

1. Lowers your risk of heart disease

Vacations aren’t just good for your soul; they’re good for your heart too. Research shows that traveling may reduce the risk of heart disease. In one study, researchers monitored male people at risk of heart disease for 9 years. After the trial period, they found that the people who vacationed every year had about 30% less risk of dying from heart disease.

The famous Framingham Heart Study showed similar results. The researchers monitored female participants for 20 years. Researchers found that the people who took the least amount of vacation time (about one vacation every 6 years) were about two and a half times more likely to have a heart attack than people who vacationed once per year.

Dr. Terrell Smith, M.D., M.P.H, is the director of clinical health at Spora Health. He points out that vacation time is also associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that can increase your chances of stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

2. Boosts your immune system

Frequent travel may also boost the immune system. “When you’re exposing yourself to a range of different ecosystems, your body can get adapted to different types of bacteria and create stronger antibodies that keep you healthy,” says Smith.

However, there are two sides to this story. It’s also common for travelers to get sick when they go abroad. This can be because of poor sleep, exposure to so many people and their germs, or contaminated food or drinks.

3. Lowers stress

Stress relief is one of the biggest immediate benefits of travel. “Taking yourself out of your normal routine to explore a new place can give you a well-deserved break from work or home-related stressors and responsibilities,” says Smith.

And that benefit doesn’t end when you get home. A small study showed that stress levels tend to stay lower and well-being remains higher for 30 to 45 days after a vacation.

4. Increases happiness

In addition to relieving stress, traveling may provide an overall mood boost for some. In one study, researchers found that female people who took vacations twice or more per year were less likely to report symptoms of depression and tension, compared to those who only vacationed once every 2 or 6 years. The married people who traveled more also reported that they felt happier in their marriages.

Another study found that short vacations (4 days) improved well-being. That was true even if that vacation simply involved taking time off work and not actually staying outside of the house.

5. Promotes physical activity

If you spend the day tethered to your desk in a sedentary job, traveling can naturally promote more movement and physical activity.

“Many of us are also more likely to be physically active during travel time. Whether you’re taking frequent walks on the beach, strolling through a new city, or trying an adventurous new activity, travel can be a great time to get in some exercise without even thinking about it,” says Smith.

6. Boosts creativity

Traveling and experiencing other cultures, even in different parts of the country, may also have a positive effect on your creativity. In one study, researchers assessed self-reported creativity of 270 volunteers before and after a vacation. The results showed that people perceive positive benefits to their creativity levels for up to 2 weeks after returning from a vacation.

Just taking a step back from your normal routine can increase your creativity, says Smith. “After meeting new people and exploring new cultures, you may find yourself with a new perspective. You can take these ideas home with you to expand your creative projects, improve your daily schedule, or find new solutions to work problems.”

How often should you travel?

There’s no strict guideline for how often you should travel to reap these benefits. “This will vary greatly depending on what your work and home responsibilities will allow, but any amount of travel throughout the year can be beneficial,” says Smith.

Even just thinking about and waiting for your vacation to start can have positive effects on your mood and stress levels.

You don’t even have to go anywhere to reap the benefits. A staycation can also reduce stress and improve your mood, without straining your wallet or contributing to financial worry.

“Many of the benefits of traveling have less to do with where you are and more to do with breaking up your daily routine and giving yourself the chance to rest and relax,” says Smith. “We often take for granted the places we have access to every day and forget that the element of exploration can happen anywhere you live.”

He recommends doing some research on what’s near you and making a list of things you want to do and places you want to explore during your staycation or free time. Just make sure you’re not taking time off work to do chores and housework. If possible, plan activities — like a hike with friends, exploring a new part of town, or reading a book at the park — that feel fun and relaxing.

Do all types of travel have the same benefits?

While travel does have several health benefits, not all travel is equal. How you plan, how far you go, and whether you travel with people or solo can impact how beneficial your vacation will be.

Plan your trip

It’s better to plan your vacation ahead of time. Planned vacations are less stressful. Also, people who plan vacations also seem to enjoy their vacations more or make the most out of them.

When vacationing is stressful, even if you planned it ahead of time, many of the health benefits can be lost. Similarly, frequent business travel can have negative, instead of positive, mental health effects.

Travel further

Vacations also seem to have more benefits if you travel further from your home, rather than taking a vacation in your home city or town (staycation).

Travel the right way

How you travel may also affect how you feel afterwards. Traveling with family or friends can strengthen bonds. But traveling on your own can give you a greater sense of independence and accomplishment.

Different travel styles may suit different people at different stages of life. If you enjoy travel more than your family or friends, or if they simply are not able to travel when you are, then traveling on your own or with a group may be a good option.

What if travel makes you anxious?

Travel anxiety is a common roadblock to taking regular vacations, especially if those vacations involve getting on a plane or taking unpaid time off from work. If traveling makes you anxious, there are some things you can do to cope, depending on the source of your anxiety:

• If getting on a plane isn’t an option, take a vacation within driving distance and take a car, bus, or train. Or talk to your healthcare provider about medication to help with acute anxiety while flying.

• Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation.

• Do your best to maintain your healthy habits, such as eating well and exercising, while traveling.

• Don’t forget to pack any medications you may need. And discuss your travel plans with your healthcare provider.

• If finances are the main concern, use budget traveling websites to find the best deals, or consider a staycation.

Also, keep in mind that travel isn’t the only way to reduce stress, so you don’t have to force it if it causes mental anguish.

What about travel and COVID-19?

Traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause some very real concerns. If you are immunocompromised or generally don’t feel safe with the exposure risk, stay home. There are plenty of ways to boost your well-being from the comfort of your home or outside spaces. If you do want to travel, here are some tips for staying safe:

• Wear a mask in public places.

• Stay outdoors as much as possible.

• Do your research to find lodging that’s taking COVID-19 precautions.

• Wash your hands frequently.

Keep in mind that getting vaccinated makes it much safer to travel, but the risks are not gone. Learn even more about safe travel during COVID-19 here, and discover lower-risk places to visit here.