Scientifically proven: Travel increases the happiness hormone

Many people often choose to travel to get away from the stress of daily life for a while and take a deep breath. Research Assistant and Psychologist Simay Yılmaz explained the contributions that travel, known to increase the happiness hormone, makes to the mental and emotional development of individuals.

With the upcoming Ramadan Feast, those who want to take time for themselves during this period when school and work are paused have begun their travel preparations. Research Assistant Simay Yılmaz from the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences at Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) stated that it is necessary to take a break to increase our productivity in our careers.

''IT EXTENDS BEYOND OUR WORLDLY PROBLEMS''

Research Assistant Simay Yılmaz guided readers to think about the subject with the questions: “Have you ever felt like you were getting away from your problems when you went on a trip? Or have you ever looked at the vast ocean in another country and remembered how small the problems that trouble us actually are compared to the size of the world? Or while thinking about all this, have you ever thought that the situation is not as bad as it is thought to be, that everything will be solved somehow, and that the world extends beyond our problems?”

''QUITE IMPORTANT FOR MENTAL HEALTH''

Stating that when people go on vacation, they find themselves in a different environment they are not used to, and in this case, they act outside of their accustomed behaviors, Research Assistant Simay Yılmaz explained the situation with the words: “The sensory and cognitive stimulation that occurs with travel is also quite important for people's mental health. There are many studies showing that developmental activities and experiences help stimulate the brain. According to new studies, traveling not only increases the happiness hormone but also offers an emotional and social experience that leads to new learning in ways different from the accustomed structure of our daily environment.”

''TRAVEL PROVIDES A MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL ESCAPE''

Expressing that we all look for ways to escape the stress and busy work pace of daily life, Simay Yılmaz continued, “Going out of the city or country for travel can provide a person with a mental and emotional escape. Traveling to another city or country can help us shape our perspective and get away from our problems.”

''RELAXING CAN HELP LOWER STRESS HORMONE LEVELS''

Emphasizing that it is a known fact that traveling is good for mental health in more than one way, Simay Yılmaz said, “One of these can be mentioned as reducing stress. Getting away from daily routines can help with relaxing and regaining energy. Relaxing can help lower the body's cortisol level, also known as the stress hormone. Another benefit is that it increases personal development. Discovering new places, cultures, or languages can help.”

Simay Yılmaz stated that traveling in a new and foreign environment can reveal a sense of achievement by learning to cope with the challenges of that environment and stepping out of one's comfort zone.