Travelers around the world have been feeling the disappointment and sadness of not being able to travel during this pandemic. Some people had epic trips planned that are now canceled indefinitely and others are feeling anxious about whether or not they’ll be able to travel anywhere this year. 

If one thing is for sure, globetrotters from various walks of life are grieving the freedom to travel and explore both familiar and unfamiliar destinations. 

Have you been wondering what exactly makes us miss travel so much? These psychologists give us the reasons why:

Travel Helps With Confidence And Self-Actualisation 

Seth Meyers, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist based in Los Angeles tells The Points Guy, “To understand why people like to travel, you have to consider the psychological needs that travel meets. At [its] root, travel is a psychologically stimulating activity on a physical, visual, and social level. Travel offers a break from the monotony of daily routines and often pulls people out of their comfort zone to the point that they often try new or unusual activities they wouldn’t be included to try from their home base.”

Traveling frequently helps to grow your confidence and self-actualization, according to Michael Brein, Ph.D., a coal psychologist, and travel author. 

“[Travel is] so stimulating and memorable. We remember our connections with people more than anything else. [And] it happens so fast and furiously. We get rewarded [with] self-esteem and self-confidence. Travel puts you in a situation where new stimuli and novelty is coming at you so fast, and the more that engulfs you and you incorporate it [in your life], the more you grow as a person,” says Brein to The Points Guy. 

How To Cope With The Grief Of Not Traveling

Since travel helps us with confidence, not being able to travel can negatively affect our creativity and stress levels. 

“To reignite a sense of hope and freedom, start designing your first post-quarantine trip today and be ready when health officials determine it’s safe to travel again,” says Brein. 

He goes on to say, “Research shows that the anticipation of a vacation brings more satisfaction than the actual vacation itself, so men and women can derive some gratification during quarantine simply by looking forward to their next planned trip.”

Sometimes Travel Helps Fill A Void

Now that travelers are quarantining at home, many are realizing that the consistent travel was helping to fill a void. According to Brein, travel can be a form of escapism. 

“I think it’s good to take this time, which is such a rare opportunity, to contemplate all of [your experiences] and see how that may contribute to your own sense of self,” says Brein. 

For many of us, it’s our first time actually spending time in our homes in years. We can use this time to rejuvenate, figure out what home really means, and realign our perspective.