Why do I feel the need to travel so much?

Sometimes we experience wanderlust because we want to get away from the familiar, and travel represents the best way to do it. If you're feeling the urge to pack up your life and run to somewhere else, there are good scientific reasons for that sensation, from a need for novelty to a potential genetic push.



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There's clearly no straight answer as to why people like to travel. Everyone's got different reasons. Some get a buzz from meeting new people, others like to study new cultures firsthand, and some people just have an insatiable need to explore the world, country by country.

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Ask LP: How do I resist the urge to travel right now?
  1. Plan your next vacation.
  2. Go on a virtual walk with a friend in another country.
  3. Explore the world one bite at a time.
  4. Support a shop, cafe or establishment online.
  5. Learn a language.
  6. The light at the end of the tunnel.
  7. You might also like:


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Dromomania was a historical psychiatric diagnosis whose primary symptom was uncontrollable urge to walk or wander. Dromomania has also been referred to as traveling fugue. Non-clinically, the term has come to be used to describe a desire for frequent traveling or wanderlust.

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Travel anxiety is not an officially diagnosed mental health issue, but can be severe enough to interfere with people's daily lives. People with travel anxiety may be unable to see family and friends, go on vacation, or travel for work.

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Dr Brein believes that if travel becomes too much for people, too much a form of escapism that overwhelms a life and all other meaningful pursuits and goals are postponed or ignored until it becomes too late, then travel can be as disruptive as any other addiction.

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“Some activities [like travel] are 'positive addictions' but they can disrupt personal, family, work, financial stability, and other life commitments and can be considered an addictive behavior,” she says.

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There are always new opportunities and adventures around the corner. Things can change quickly whilst travelling or lead you somewhere unexpected. It's this unknown of never quite being sure of where you will end up, that I find most thrilling. The unknown is exciting and keeps travel interesting and engaging.

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Choosing to live a life of travel isn't so different from choosing any other kind of life. Do we call people selfish for doing that? The people that really love and support you will most likely understand this, and accept your sometimes absence from their lives.

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Travel can be a relaxing escape, but it can also be stressful and affect your mental health. Travel-related stress can spark mood changes, depression, and anxiety. Travel can worsen symptoms in people with existing mental illness.

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“When travel is motivated by a desire to escape reality,” she adds, “to embrace a nearly fictional experience that is free of the burdens of life…the experience becomes escapist in quality.”

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Extended travel can actually affect your personality.
These traits include neuroticism, openness, extraversion, conscientiousness and agreeableness. The more travelers interact with new people and immerse themselves in a new culture, the more their goals are aligned with the openness personality trait.

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The key symptoms of travel phobia are excessive fear and avoidance of travel situations. These symptoms overlap with those of PTSD. In particular, persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and fear and other negative emotions in response to trauma reminders are common PTSD symptoms.

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People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed.

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These expert-backed tips for coping with travel anxiety may help:
  1. identify your triggers.
  2. research and plan.
  3. prepare as much as possible.
  4. try grounding techniques.
  5. distract yourself.
  6. practice self-care.
  7. talk with loved ones or a therapist.


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Traveling is not generally bad if you have depression. It is considered the healthiest form of addiction and can actually be beneficial for most people. Traveling is good for your mental health because it reduces stress and anxiety. Traveling only becomes a problem if it is viewed as the only cure to your problems.

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As well as traveling less often, low-income individuals also travel shorter distances than people in higher income groups.

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