L.A. Parent: Travel as Therapy—Insights From a Psychiatrist
L.A. Parent recently interviewed Nathalie Murphy, MD, psychiatrist and assistant professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, about how traveling provides physical and mental health benefits, including reduced stress, an opportunity to socialize and exercise.
Murphy told L.A. Parent that when people are removed from daily stressors, they experience a mental reboot that creates space for learning.
“Exploring new destinations and engaging in unfamiliar experiences can foster fresh perspectives, spark creativity and improve problem-solving and adaptability skills,” she said.
In addition to adapting to a new environment, Murphy told L.A. Parent that traveling helps with starting or maintaining relationships.
“Given that loneliness is closely linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns, taking trips like these can serve as a powerful way to foster connection and emotional well-being,” she said.
Murphy told L.A. Parent that in the age of social media, travel may seem financially unattainable. But even a short, day trip to a local park can help people de-stress and take a break from daily duties.
Murphy said “travel doesn’t have to mean a weeks-long international trip; it can be just as meaningful to take a short drive to a nearby community to attend a free local event or explore a new shop or park.”
Murphy also touted the benefits of attending a sporting event, watching a live show or visiting a museum. What matters most, she explained, is having an open mind while cultivating “presence, openness and gratitude.”
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