Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

Whenever you make a choice to invite new sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences into your life, your world expands.

If you learn to fly fish, grow tomatoes, train a guide dog, take a class in Japanese Tea Rituals, painting, or writing poetry, your experience of the world becomes a little richer.

One of the great benefits of creating art for me has been the way I look at things.  What would have once looked like a dull and bland landscape of endless fields comes alive with variation and depth of color, with 7 shades of yellow and gold.

Another more obvious way to expand your world even more is to travel.   It doesn’t have to be anything exotic but the more different the place is than what you are used to, the more your senses are awakened.

Your mind loves comparisons and will search for things that are different and compare similarities as well.

All of these things stimulate your creativity and accumulate treasures of experiences and memories as you learn about yourself in the process.

How will your expand your world?

What could be better?  Something that is fun AND good for you.

This is especially true if you travel and get out of your usual environment.  But if you aren’t able to take the time or afford to get away, think about how you can apply some of these ideas to being a tourist in your own city or taking a long weekend close to home.

Here are some of the ways that taking a vacation and getting out of your regular routine can be a benefit to your health.

Overall Health Benefits

According to a study from the University of Pittsburgh, it shows those who engage in leisure activities and out of town vacations experience less depression, lower blood pressure, and lower levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone.

Reduces Stress

The 1^st couple of days of a vacation help to reduce stress.  On about the 3^rd or 4^th day, your mind and body start to replenish.

It takes a little time to just unwind.  It’s important to get away from the usual routines, chores, and sometimes anxiety that accompany a busy schedule.

Gives you Time to Day Dream

Getting away can allow your mind to explore and dream.  It gives you space to be in that all important relaxed state of mind.

Boosts Creativity

When you are in a different environment, you see things differently.  You notice things you wouldn’t in your usual routines and places you take for granted.

Seeing new things stimulates creativity and gives you a new perspective.

Can Increase Exercise

Of course, this depends on the type of vacation you choose.  But, often, you’ll do more walking than you usually do.

Or you may find ways to add activities to your get away like renting a bike or skiing.

Challenge Yourself Mentally

I know it’s always a challenge for me to figure out where we are going and how to get there.  You have to figure out how to navigate your way and sometimes how to do things.

Adds a little Merriment

You’ve heard that laughter is the best medicine.  And often traveling and going on vacation can bring some fun and laughter to your day.

So, now that you know it’s good for you, where do you want to go?

If you could go anywhere you wanted, where would it be?

There is something wonderful about seeing the world and exploring new places.  It’s even better if someone else will pay for the trip!  One option for being paid to travel is to write about the experience.

You might assume that is too hard unless you have a lot of experience.  You may be surprised that there are some creative options that may not involve writing for a big travel magazine.  You may be able to write about the best galleries in London for an art magazine or the best shoe shops in Brazil for a fashion publication.  And you may have some insider knowledge about your own city or town that would be another way to earn money to go somewhere else.

One thing that I have found very helpful when I want to learn something new is to take a class, workshop, or seminar to find out what it’s all about and learn some of the tips and tricks along the way.

American Writers and Artists are holding a workshop in Denver next week for 3 days called the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop.  They are also offering additional classes in food writing and photography, which are two more ways to travel and get paid for it!

If that is something that might interest you, click here for more information.