Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

The healing power of travel: How adventure transforms mind, body, and spirit

Stacey Funt, MD
Physician
February 10, 2025
Share
Tweet
Share

As a practicing physician and a wellness travel tour operator, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the profound impact that travel can have on health and well-being. Beyond being fun, exciting, and educational, travel has the power to heal—physically, emotionally, and even spiritually.

Wellness adventure travel can embody many of the fundamental elements of lifestyle medicine in real time. Movement, whole foods, relaxation, and community—four of the six pillars—can be woven into the experience. Restorative sleep may also be part of the mix, though travel can sometimes bring early mornings or jet lag. For many of us, self-care takes a back seat to life’s daily stressors and demands. But when we step outside our routine, it becomes easier to shift the focus back to ourselves.

The physical: movement, nourishment, and renewal

The benefits of exercise and healthy eating are well known, yet for many, they take a back seat. However, when tied to a meaningful goal, motivation can shift dramatically. One woman signed up for what she considered the trip of a lifetime. She saw it as a turning point—a moment to prioritize herself after years of putting everyone else first. By the time the trip arrived, she had lost fifty pounds and felt stronger and more energized than she had in years. Another traveler, who had always dreaded the gym, found new motivation in preparing for a trip with hiking. The fear of not being able to complete the hike pushed her to train for three months. That experience reshaped her mindset, and she now uses active travel as a way to maintain her fitness long term.

While travel is often associated with indulgence, wellness-focused experiences naturally encourage healthier choices. And if you leave the U.S., you’ll’ often find that whole foods are much more the norm. Being surrounded by a like-minded group also creates an environment where making better choices feels easier and more natural.

For some, travel can be stressful. But on a well-curated trip, decisions are minimized, and logistics are taken care of, creating space for relaxation. Kayaking on a lake, walking on a mountain path, or spending time in a spa can be powerful antidotes to stress. Have you ever gone away for six days and felt like you were gone for two weeks? That’s because time expands when we travel. When we’re immersed in a new experience or breathtaking landscape, we naturally become more present. In this way, travel becomes a moving mindfulness practice.

The emotional: the power of connection

For many, travel is not just about where we go, but who we share it with. In group travel, the simple act of experiencing something together—being witnessed, supported, and encouraged—can be transformative.

One woman reflected after a women’s group trip that she hadn’t realized how much she missed a sense of connection since her children left for college. That realization led her to reconnect with old friends upon returning home. Another traveler described how the support of a group helped her feel truly seen, reminding her that she was worthy of love and belonging.

Travel also fosters connection beyond one’s immediate circle. Engaging with people from different cultures—whether guides, shop owners, or strangers along the way—deepens our sense of belonging to a global community. Recognizing our shared human experience across cultural differences can ease feelings of loneliness or isolation.

On a personal note, I experienced a time of deep loss when my twins left for college and my father passed away within a month of each other. I decided to go on a trek in Nepal. Just the act of preparing helped me reconnect with my husband, take better care of my body, and find something to look forward to. During the trip, I learned from the Nepali people different perspectives on loss and life cycles. That, along with hours of quiet time while walking in the mountains, was deeply healing. When I returned home with renewed energy, I found new purpose—and ultimately started my business.

The spiritual: awe as medicine

Many of the most transformative travel experiences take place in nature, where the sheer beauty of the surroundings evokes awe and wonder. Watching the sunset over vast desert dunes, standing in the immensity of the mountains, or gazing up at a sky filled with stars—these moments can shift something deep within us. Research has shown that awe can expand our perspective, connect us to something greater, and remind us of our place in the world (Chirico & Gaggioli, 2018).

ADVERTISEMENT

Stepping away from daily routines creates space for reflection—on identity, values, and the path ahead. Too often, we move through life caught in the relentless rhythm of responsibilities. Travel offers a rare opportunity to pause, to recharge, and to reconnect—not just with the world, but with ourselves.

A journey toward healing

At its core, travel is about more than just seeing new places. It’s about growth, renewal, and transformation. Whether it’s the motivation to prepare our bodies for an active adventure, the joy of shared experiences, or the deep sense of awe that comes from immersing ourselves in nature, travel has the power to heal. And sometimes, all it takes is stepping outside of our daily lives to remember just how capable, connected, and alive we truly are.

Stacey Funt is a practicing physician, health coach, and founder of LH Adventure Travel, where she curates and leads women’s global wellness travel experiences in breathtaking natural settings and diverse cultures. She also designs private group and couples’ trips. Each itinerary is rooted in the principles of lifestyle medicine, incorporating movement, nourishment, relaxation, and community to promote well-being and meaningful connection.

Dr. Funt has lectured nationally on physician well-being and self-care and has led workshops for health care professionals and the public. Her travel writing has been featured in Go World Travel Magazine.

Through her work, she helps people reconnect with themselves, embrace adventure, and experience the joy and healing power of travel. Learn more at LH Adventure Travel or connect with her on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Prev

How physicians can reignite their spark this year

February 10, 2025 Kevin 0
…
Next

How legal exploitation shaped the U.S. medical malpractice system

February 10, 2025 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Psychiatry

Post navigation

< Previous Post
How physicians can reignite their spark this year
Next Post >
How legal exploitation shaped the U.S. medical malpractice system

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Stacey Funt, MD

  • More than a doctor: My unexpected path to building a thriving business

    Stacey Funt, MD

Related Posts

  • Why travel bans in response to Omicron are harmful

    Michelle Verghese
  • Is whole-body dissection ethical?

    Palak Patel
  • Nurses are in need of racial healing

    Janice Phillips, PhD, RN and Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, RN
  • Physicians choose love, science, and healing

    Kellie Lease Stecher, MD
  • The power of poetry during a pandemic

    Anna Delamerced
  • Ownership of outcomes: Reuniting power and responsibility

    Amelia L. Bueche, DO

More in Physician

  • Why the heart of medicine is more than science

    Ryan Nadelson, MD
  • How Ukrainian doctors kept diabetes care alive during the war

    Dr. Daryna Bahriy
  • How women physicians can go from burnout to thriving

    Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH
  • Why more doctors are choosing direct care over traditional health care

    Grace Torres-Hodges, DPM, MBA
  • How to handle chronically late patients in your medical practice

    Neil Baum, MD
  • How early meetings and after-hours events penalize physician-mothers

    Samira Jeimy, MD, PhD and Menaka Pai, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • America’s ER crisis: Why the system is collapsing from within

      Kristen Cline, BSN, RN | Conditions
    • Why timing, not surgery, determines patient survival

      Michael Karch, MD | Conditions
    • How early meetings and after-hours events penalize physician-mothers

      Samira Jeimy, MD, PhD and Menaka Pai, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
  • Recent Posts

    • Why the heart of medicine is more than science

      Ryan Nadelson, MD | Physician
    • How Ukrainian doctors kept diabetes care alive during the war

      Dr. Daryna Bahriy | Physician
    • Why Grok 4 could be the next leap for HIPAA-compliant clinical AI

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Tech
    • How women physicians can go from burnout to thriving

      Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH | Physician
    • What a childhood stroke taught me about the future of neurosurgery and the promise of vagus nerve stimulation

      William J. Bannon IV | Conditions
    • Beyond burnout: Understanding the triangle of exhaustion [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • America’s ER crisis: Why the system is collapsing from within

      Kristen Cline, BSN, RN | Conditions
    • Why timing, not surgery, determines patient survival

      Michael Karch, MD | Conditions
    • How early meetings and after-hours events penalize physician-mothers

      Samira Jeimy, MD, PhD and Menaka Pai, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
  • Recent Posts

    • Why the heart of medicine is more than science

      Ryan Nadelson, MD | Physician
    • How Ukrainian doctors kept diabetes care alive during the war

      Dr. Daryna Bahriy | Physician
    • Why Grok 4 could be the next leap for HIPAA-compliant clinical AI

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Tech
    • How women physicians can go from burnout to thriving

      Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH | Physician
    • What a childhood stroke taught me about the future of neurosurgery and the promise of vagus nerve stimulation

      William J. Bannon IV | Conditions
    • Beyond burnout: Understanding the triangle of exhaustion [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...