How can you improve your well-being when travelling?

Travelling far from home, discovering new horizons or simply getting a change of scenery for a few days - there are a thousand and one ways to travel. But travelling can also be a source of stress and misadventure if you're not careful. So what can you do to ensure that these special moments are a source of well-being?

First of all, a minimum of preparation is essential. Take the time to define your desires, compare offers and anticipate the unexpected. Then remember to protect yourself: get vaccinated, use repellents and pay attention to your hygiene. On site, opt for activities that respect the environment and local populations. Finally, make the most of this break to recharge your batteries: leave your worries behind, open your mind to new experiences and strengthen your ties with your loved ones. Travelling is a wonderful opportunity to discover yourself.

In short, let your journey be an ode to serenity! Because, as Saint-Exupéry said, "what makes the desert beautiful is that it hides a well somewhere".

1. How can you optimise your lifestyle ?

2. Why opt for responsible tourism ?

3. How can you take the time to prepare for your trip ?

4. What are the psychological benefits of travelling and how can you make the most of them ?

How can you optimise your lifestyle ?

Keeping your vaccinations up to date

Preparing for your trip means keeping your vaccinations up to date. Travel agents generally offer a vaccination booklet listing the compulsory and recommended vaccinations for each destination. It's a good idea to follow these instructions and take the necessary steps several weeks before departure. This allows the body to develop the necessary antibodies and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Monitor your diet

A change of diet is a shock to the travelling body. Eating local dishes carries the risk of poisoning or digestive problems. It is advisable to start gradually, avoiding raw vegetables and undercooked meat for the first few days. Drinking bottled water, even for brushing your teeth, also reduces the risk of discomfort.

Good hygiene

Impeccable hygiene prevents many infections during a trip. Frequent hand washing, especially before eating, is essential. Preferring showers to baths, drying yourself off thoroughly and using clean towels every day are all good habits to adopt.

Why prioritize responsible tourism ?

Abandoning shows with wild animals

Shows with wild animals, such as marine parks, circuses, or zoos, jeopardize the well-being of these animals. Held in captivity, these animals are forced to perform unnatural exercises in front of a noisy audience. To prioritize the respect for wildlife, it is better to avoid supporting these entertainments by attending them. Responsible alternatives exist, such as observing animals in their natural habitat during photo safaris, for example.

Choosing environmentally friendly activities

To minimize its impact on ecosystems, it is preferable to opt for gentle activities, such as hiking or cycling tourism. These activities allow for discovering a territory without harming the surrounding fauna and flora. Non-motorized water sports, such as kayaking or sailing, or animal observation are also good options. It is recommended to inquire in advance about the environmental charters of activity providers.

Opting for eco-friendly accommodations

Selecting accommodation that contributes to sustainable development is a good way to reduce the carbon footprint of a trip. Many initiatives are emerging, such as eco-lodges, organic charming cottages, or green hotels. They implement various eco-responsible actions: renewable energies, waste reduction, short circuits, etc. By opting for this type of accommodation, the vacationer encourages a more responsible consumption in the tourism sector.

How to take the time to prepare for your trip ?

Define priorities and desires

Before planning a trip, a fundamental step is to clearly understand your expectations. What are the essential elements for this journey to correspond to your deep aspirations? Do you dream of vast wild expanses or lively cosmopolitan cities? Are you looking for relaxation, tranquility, and well-being or adventure and adrenaline? Clarifying your priorities will help better guide your choices.

Anticipate the unexpected

Thoroughly preparing for a trip also involves anticipating unforeseen events that may occur. Capricious weather, flight delays, lost luggage... nothing should spoil this precious time away from daily life. Subscribing to appropriate insurance, budgeting for additional expenses and versatile clothing, or scheduling free days in the itinerary will allow you to approach travel uncertainties with peace of mind.

What are the psychological benefits of travel and how to enjoy them ?

Forget the stress of daily life

Travel allows you to step back from the stress of daily life. By changing the environment, you distance yourself from the usual sources of stress related to work or personal life. The brain is then more relaxed and available to enjoy the present moment. According to a study conducted by Expedia, 88% of respondents say that vacations allow them to forget their worries.

Develop creativity

Travel stimulates the senses and nourishes the imagination. Faced with new landscapes, smells, sounds, or encounters, the brain must adapt and find new solutions. This boosts creativity and the ability to solve problems. 

Strengthen bonds with loved ones

Sharing special moments while traveling strengthens bonds with loved ones. People are more relaxed, open, and focused on the present moment. This promotes complicity and communication. According to a survey of 2000 people, 89% believe that their best memories are those shared with family during trips.

Learn to know oneself better

Travel is conducive to introspection and a better understanding of oneself. Away from the daily routine, there is time to reflect on deep desires. It is an opportunity to take stock of one's life. A study shows that 2 out of 3 people say they understand themselves better after a long journey.

Travel, an inner quest

Prioritizing well-being during travel starts with introspection and questioning one's deep aspirations. Taking the time to (re)discover oneself, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, is opening a new page about oneself. Reconciling with that unknown part that lies dormant in each of us may be the secret to a successful journey. Because at the end of the road, it's not always the destination that matters, but the passage to that inner land of which we are all explorers. Thus, whether one travels to different skies or simply outside one's comfort zone, the essential is to stay tuned to one's inner self. Letting oneself be guided by intuition, welcoming surprises and the unexpected as invitations to let go, these are some keys for the journey to become a celebration of the present moment. In short, being well on a journey is accepting to get lost a little.