2020 Has been a tough year for everyone. The pandemic has brought about many different hardships that many of us never thought would come about and it’s easy to sink into despair and feel helpless and even a little bit hopeless sometimes.
Instead of focusing on the difficulties, we should focus on the things we can be grateful for. Be it family, your partner, a roof over your head or even your beloved pet, being grateful for what you have is a great way to deal with the difficulties we are all facing. Another way to overcome despair is to make plans for the future. While many of us must stay home and be far apart from friends and loved ones, making exciting plans for the time when the virus is no longer a threat can help ease the anxiety and loneliness. This is why I decided to put together this Gratitude Giveaway. One major thing that has been taken away from us at the moment is traveling to wherever we dream. While we may not be able to fulfill all our wanderlust right now, it wouldn’t hurt to think of where you want to go and what you would do once we can go on adventures again. To help you with making those plans and dreaming-up your next vacation, I am giving away $200 in travel credits to one lucky winner! Other prizes you'll have a chance to win include:
Here’s how it works:
This contest will run from November 9, 2020 to November 20, 2020. The winner shall be picked randomly. The travel credits are not applicable towards airfare and must be used in a single trip, they have no expiration. You can see the full official rules here. "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." Eckhart Tolle Life can be tough when so many scary and sad things are going on in the world. But a little gratitude, a hopeful spirit can help us look forward to brighter days ahead. My host agency, KHM Travel Group recently compiled some great information about the health benefits of traveling. It was too good not to share. Enter KHM.... Set your out of office reply and crank up Pharrell’s “Happy” – it’s time for vacation! Ok, maybe not exactly. But chances are good that even reading that sentence, your brain experienced a tiny, momentary spike in happiness. In fact, recent studies emphasize that travel can change our brain’s chemistry and improve our mental health. The mental health benefits of travel indicate that our vacations aren’t just something we could do, but something we should do to ward off anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. 1. It brings us joy According to a Cornell University study, even planning and anticipating a trip can be a mood booster. 2020 might have temporarily interfered with our visions of poolside lounging or urban exploration, but having positive things to think about is key to our mental well-being. Once we arrive in our destination, even if it’s just a quick drive from home, those fluttery feelings of fulfillment of having reached our goal kick in. 2. It relieves stress 91% of Americans say that they see a vacation as a chance to “hit the reset button” on their stress and anxiety. A separate study of 1,500 women found that those who traveled twice a year were less likely to suffer from chronic stress and depression. Why? Travel allows us to focus on ourselves and brings us back to the things we find most meaningful in our lives, which we tend to ignore when we are running on tight schedules and to-do lists. 3. It’s a workout for our brains Not only are we more physically active when we travel, but our minds are more engaged. Much of what we do during the course of our daily routines we do without thinking, but on vacation, we’re constantly exposed to new surroundings and information. Immersing yourself in a new place enhances creativity, which in turn helps us develop new long-term neural connections, according to Psychology Today. In short, traveling lets us flex our brain power! 4. It gives us confidence. Facing unfamiliar situations and stepping outside our comfort zones can be thrilling, but they can also test our patience. Learning how to adapt, even if it’s just to a new form of transport for a few days, makes us more emotionally flexible and resilient. When we go back to our normal lives and are confronted with a challenging situation, we can draw on the times we’ve successfully navigated a tricky travel situation and use these skills to quash our insecurities. For our brain, a vacation is like a room without a roof. It makes us happy. Even short trips, like a weekend getaway, sustain weeks of lowered stress and feel-good vibes. Contact Matt Travel about the mental health remedy you need for your next vacation. KHM Travel Group KHM Travel Group would like to express our appreciation for the dedication and efforts of our independent travel agents during this challenging time. |
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