We’re used to thinking of travel as the ‘fun’ bit of life, but enjoyment isn’t a reason why it shouldn’t also provide some very serious benefits for us. At its deepest level, travel can assist us with our psychological education. When approached in the right way, it can play a critical role in helping us to grow into better versions of our normal selves. If you’re planning a trip away in the coming months, here are three lessons in travel to help ensure your outward journey can spark an inner one… | When choosing a destination, we shouldn’t only consider the average daily temperature or the proximity of the hotel to a beach. We should also think seriously about what psychological benefits it can provide. Are we seeking the intellectual and sensory stimulation of a major European capital? Or are we craving the quiet and isolation of a remote Alpine village…or a secluded East Asian island? | Most travel guidebooks are good at suggesting places to eat, or attractions to visit, but rather less good at telling us what we might learn about ourselves while we are there. Therefore, we need to create our own. Keep a diary, or journal; use it to jot down any new insights you pick up along the way. | When travelling, we are understandably focused on the desired ‘end point’ of our journey – be that a cathedral, a gallery, a restaurant, or a pool. But a large part of any holiday involves spending time in transit: in airport lounges, train waiting rooms and hotel lobbies. We should pay just as much attention to the peculiar atmosphere of such places; they can be just as conducive for inner reflection as the places we really wish to visit.
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