Travel meeting mental health 

“Mental Health Is Not A Destination, but a process. It is about how you drive, not where you’re going.” – Noam Shpancer, PhD

Travel, according to the Oxford English dictionary, is defined as “go from one place to another, typically over a distance of some length.”

Looking back at the events of the past two years, you, me, everyone, has significantly been stretched through the pandemic, causing or catalysing challenges inside our houses (physical structures) homes (personal place – body). Having to stay confined in our rooms, apartments, city, country or continent truly took its toll on our health and mental health because restrictions saw us, sadly, locked down and out.

Travel can spark mood changes, depression, anxiety and uncharacteristic behaviours such as violence, suicidal thoughts, and excessive drug and alcohol use, or it can worsen symptoms in people with existing mental illness, according to the Centre for Disease Control. Lock down became needful as setting us free to travel has also become important. As I have always said that to move one’s body is some sweet help poured into one’s body.

The African Institute of Mind conducted a survey during recent ‘Meetings Africa’ held at the Sandton Convention Centre asking randomly people from around the world – Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana, America, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland – and all who responded affirmed travelling to South Africa for the event truly was a refreshing experience, as all concluded the conversation, with me accepting or offering a warm embrace (welcome), which we phrase as “Sawubona.”

Attending to oneself fuels and flourishes inside out. Going places within the world around is a starting point. Take a moment on this stress relief focused destinations beginning with – heritage sight and home of our Republic of South Africa founding father, Nelson Mandela in Soweto, or a meal at Mandela House Restaurant in the heart of Johannesburg, Gauteng. Go hiking up Tsitsikhama trail taking mindfully healthy walks in nature, Nurture yourself feet forward digging into the earth at Kwazulu Natal’s Seaside or Surf soaring and adventure into our refreshing saltwater and aquatic environment, eat seafood to your healthier life. Looking inward into our beautiful country can be a starting point toward de-stressing, which heaps hope, according to a study; walking, getting to view the world around and scenery.

A Harvard Business Review study of over 400 travellers found that 94 percent of respondents had as much or more energy after coming back from a good trip away from work; and was said to have increased energy and productivity levels at work.

I recall leading an international team away to the Northwest on a year end retreat and twenty five of them had flown into South Africa as I welcomed them into the experience with a mental check-in session as everyone shared their expectations for the entire trip; then we closed out with an activity called, “tissue issue”, immersing them into our rendezvous South African hospitality centred on the principle of “Ubuntu”. Undoubtedly, the experience boosted their brain function, creatively connecting them into a new state of flow and flourishing their organisation further.

Research and studies by Professor Adam Galinsky, whose work is in international travel, creativity and connection, shows “foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought.”

Lastly, you, me, we will feel good through taking time to do good in the world, which is something your mind and brain become open to only through having a healthier brain. None of us can succeed alone, hence helping others is important to our own existence, enabling physiological changes inside our brain that’s somehow linked to our happiness. So, schedule South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria as our restaurants, souvenirs shops, somehow support some ten million people indirectly, who rely on the sector for their livelihood.

To Our Rise and Humanity Flourishing