Open Your Mind to Heal It

How Travel Helps Mental Health

By: Ingrid Hildebrand

I went to Peru last spring. I took time off of college after only one semester. When I tell people that, they think it’s amazing that I went independently on a whim. Except they don’t ask why, and I usually do not offer the real answer, which is that I was already planning to take the semester off, as I spent winter break and some of second semester in an eating disorder hospital, physically and emotionally unable to focus on school. Peru (and independence) was an afterthought, something that felt so far out of reach at the time. Since then, mental health has been incredibly important to me, and I’ve found that I’ve had much more transparent relationships with people in my circle.

While it definitely is not for everyone, travel became my serotonin, bringing me out of the swirling despair that was my monotonous life. Continuous conversation about mental health, depression, anxiety, and mindfulness is draining. Five weeks of that was draining. Coming home and feeling behind, seeing everyone in school when you’re not, is incredibly difficult. Having something to look forward to and be proud of changed that for me. Don’t get me wrong, recovery was necessary for me at the time—and I encourage everyone to seek help when they need it. However, I think when you’re in a stable place, stepping outside of your comfort zone can give you that self confidence. 

Booking a flight after cross-checking programs and COVID-19 restrictions, and leaving two weeks later, was a rush in and of itself. But landing in Cusco, Peru knowing I wanted to do this for and by myself was even more of a rush. There were everyday activities I had to navigate: walking to class through the city, hiking by myself (and knowing what to be careful of), and coordinating when my newfound friends and I were going to go salsa dancing. These activities  stimulated my mind, leaving little room to focus on my nagging thoughts. Quite honestly, there was simply no time to focus on anything besides what was in front of me. I was finally appreciating the present, not dwelling in the past. New experiences, people, food, freedom, and the change of scenery were simply invigorating.  

Connecting with locals and hearing the many difficulties they face on a daily basis also made me realize my privilege to be able to focus on mental health. I found that many people struggled to get by, especially in a city so heavily impacted by the lack of tourism. Every day while walking past the government compound, I saw rows of soldiers holding AK-47s (or some other insanely large rifle), old women selling fruit on the street (my favorite being maracuya), servers waving people into their restaurants (especially me, as a “gringo”), and businessmen lining up to enjoy their daily pan con queso for breakfast. Realizing all of these people have their lives juxtaposed with Peruvian political instability, the economy, climate change, and COVID-19, I redefined and appreciated the context in which the women sell fruit on the same corner every day. While I was more than aware of these issues living in the United States, seeing the real people (and mundane activities) that are affected by news headlines was surreal. This realization fostered deep thought about the impact I want to have in the future and actions I can achieve to help others, even in the smallest of ways. A mind that swirled of self deprecation a month ago became reinvigorated with plans and goals to immerse myself in appreciation of others and wanting to make a difference. Stepping out of my comfort zone on a daily basis with the realization of how much more is out there to experience helped me to thrive, and I left with passion, enthusiasm, and a desire to invest in my future.

Surrounding yourself with the thoughts, places, and people in which your mental health depreciates is not beneficial. Jumping off the cliff, taking a chance to experience new things, and forcing yourself to navigate the world outside the bubble of regular life allows you to set goals, connect with others living completely different lives, and have a new appreciation for life. While recovery is an ongoing process, I take pride in what I was able to accomplish last spring and know it was the single best decision I could have made to help myself. No matter what stage of life you are in, there is significant value in not only crossing physical borders but mental borders to restart, refresh, and invest in yourself.