Traveling For Work: A Guide To Getting It Right

Travel Occupational Therapy (OT) is a career option that allows OTs to work on temporary, short-term contracts while moving around to different facilities. Travel OTs can gain non-clinical skills, earn more than permanent staff, and enjoy the flexibility of time off. However, there are also challenges, such as finding short-term housing and navigating recruiters and companies. Overall, travel OT can be a rewarding and exciting career path for those interested in exploring new places while helping patients with their physical recovery.

Travelling improves your health and reduces stress

Travelling is good for your health and can be an effective way to reduce stress. It provides a change of environment and routine, allowing you to detach from work and experience new things. This can have a positive impact on your mental and physical health, leaving you feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Change of Environment

Taking a trip, whether it's to a beach or exploring ancient ruins, is not an indulgence but rather a necessity for your health. Travelling to natural landscapes gives you fresh air and sunshine, which are beneficial to your health. Sunshine, in particular, is a natural mood booster and can help ward off depression.

Reinvent Yourself

Travelling can be a way to hit the reset button, especially if you're going through a major life transition. By interacting with new people and experiencing different cultures, you can discover a new passion for life, gain a sense of purpose, and develop independence and self-confidence.

Boost Happiness and Satisfaction

The excitement and anticipation of planning a trip and experiencing new things can boost your happiness and satisfaction. According to a Cornell University study, the anticipation of a trip can increase happiness even more than looking forward to acquiring something tangible, like a new car.

Improve Mental Resilience and Power

Travelling forces you to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and interact with new people, making you more flexible, patient, and emotionally strong. It also gives your brain the rest it needs, improving your memory and goal-setting abilities.

Enhance Creativity and Productivity

By exposing yourself to new cultures, making international friends, learning new languages, and embracing different types of food and music, your creativity and problem-solving skills are enhanced. This can lead to increased productivity and even better performance at work.

So, if you're feeling stressed, don't hesitate to pack your bags and explore new destinations. Travelling can be a powerful tool to improve your health and reduce stress, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on new challenges.

It can help you disconnect from daily life

Travel can be a powerful tool to disconnect from the stresses and distractions of daily life. It offers an opportunity to step away from the constant connectivity of modern life and find a sense of peace and introspection.

In our fast-paced world, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the constant demands of work, social life, and digital devices. Travel allows us to break free from these routines and gain a new perspective. By removing ourselves from familiar surroundings and immersing ourselves in new environments, we can quiet the noise of daily life and reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.

One way to disconnect is by embracing the trend of 'silent travel'. This can take the form of silent retreats, such as those offered by BookRetreats, which provide spaces for meditation, contemplation, and quietude. Leaving behind technology and embracing silence can be a powerful way to find inner peace and a sense of calm.

Another benefit of travel is the opportunity to engage in new experiences and activities that challenge and excite us. By stepping out of our comfort zones, we can uncover inner strengths, build confidence, and foster empathy. We learn to navigate unfamiliar situations, adapt to new environments, and let go of the need for control. These experiences can be transformative, helping us grow and evolve as individuals.

Travel also allows us to disconnect from our daily routines and reconnect with nature. Immersing ourselves in the beauty of natural surroundings, such as hiking trails or serene nature retreats, can provide a sense of tranquility and a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It gives us the space to reflect, recharge, and find a deeper connection with ourselves and our planet.

Additionally, travel can improve our relationships and communication skills. By disconnecting from technology and spending quality time with companions, we can build trust, work together as a team, and create lasting memories through shared experiences.

Overall, travel has the power to help us disconnect from the busyness of daily life and reconnect with what truly matters. It provides an opportunity to step back, reflect, and find a sense of balance and peace within ourselves and our surroundings. By embracing new experiences, challenging ourselves, and seeking moments of quietude, we can return to our daily lives with a renewed sense of purpose and well-being.

It broadens your horizons and improves your understanding of other cultures

Travelling to new places and experiencing different cultures is a surefire way to broaden your horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the world. It offers a fresh perspective, opening your mind and enhancing your knowledge. By stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in unfamiliar cultures, you gain a new and improved outlook on life.

When you travel to a different country, you are exposed to a variety of new experiences and knowledge. You get to interact with different people, navigate new environments, and embrace new cultures. This exposure to diverse cultures, traditions, and customs can dramatically reshape your worldview. You begin to understand that differences are not something to be feared but rather embraced and celebrated.

Through travel, you gain firsthand experiences that challenge your preconceived notions and shatter stereotypes. You learn to navigate language barriers, embrace new cuisines, and adapt to different ways of living. These experiences foster personal growth, as you develop empathy, enhance your problem-solving skills, and cultivate a greater appreciation for cultural diversity. You become more open-minded and curious, embracing the unknown with enthusiasm.

Travelling also provides an opportunity for self-discovery and transformation. As you embark on new journeys, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world. You discover your true potential, strengths, and interests. Travelling gives you a glimpse of what you are capable of and empowers you to step out of your comfort zone. It builds your confidence and equips you with a skill set that will benefit you in all aspects of life.

Furthermore, travelling enhances your ability to adapt to unfamiliar environments and handle unexpected situations. You learn to be resourceful and resilient, navigating new challenges and finding creative solutions. These skills are transferable to all areas of your life, including your career and personal relationships. By pushing yourself to try new things and explore new places, you develop a sense of independence and self-reliance that will serve you well in all your endeavours.

Travelling can boost your confidence and enhance your creativity

Travelling is an immersive experience that can take you out of your comfort zone and expose you to new cultures, environments, and people. It can spark creativity and boost confidence in numerous ways.

Breaking Routines and Gaining New Experiences

One of the most significant advantages of travelling is that it allows you to break free from your daily routine. When you travel, you are no longer confined to the familiar surroundings and habits of your everyday life. This shift in environment and routine can stimulate your brain, enhancing your creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Travelling also provides you with new and exciting experiences. By exposing yourself to different cultures, traditions, and lifestyles, you gain novel experiences that can inspire and spark your creativity. Whether it's trying exotic foods, visiting landmarks, interacting with locals, or exploring nature, these experiences can ignite your senses and encourage new ways of thinking.

Enhancing Cognitive Flexibility and Open-Mindedness

Travel introduces you to a multitude of new stimuli, including sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations. These novel inputs spark different synapses in your brain, fostering the creation of new neural connections. This process, known as neuroplasticity, enhances your cognitive flexibility—the ability to jump between different ideas, which is a key aspect of creativity.

Travelling also promotes open-mindedness. As you encounter new people and situations, your brain forms new connections and becomes more adaptable. This open-mindedness enables you to explore a wider range of ideas and think outside the box, leading to enhanced creativity and innovative solutions to problems.

Building Confidence and Resilience

Travelling can be a transformative experience that boosts your confidence and resilience. By navigating unfamiliar territories and overcoming challenges, you develop a stronger sense of self and become more adept at handling difficult situations. This increased self-confidence can positively impact your creative endeavours, giving you the courage to explore new ideas and take risks in your creative process.

Additionally, travelling can improve your communication skills and problem-solving abilities, further enhancing your resilience and confidence in tackling creative tasks.

Creative Inspiration from Different Cultures

Interacting with different cultures and engaging in cross-cultural activities can be a rich source of inspiration for creativity. By immersing yourself in local customs, trying new cuisines, participating in creative cultural activities, and collaborating with locals, you gain unique insights and perspectives that can fuel your creative endeavours.

A Healthier and Happier Mind

The benefits of travelling extend beyond creativity. It has been shown to improve your overall health and well-being. Travelling is an effective way to de-stress, which positively impacts your mental and physical health. It can reduce anxiety, lower stress levels, and improve your outlook on life.

Additionally, the act of planning a trip can increase your happiness and life satisfaction. The excitement and anticipation of an upcoming journey contribute to positive emotions and a sense of well-being.

In conclusion, travelling is a powerful way to boost your confidence and enhance your creativity. By breaking routines, gaining new experiences, improving cognitive flexibility, fostering open-mindedness, building confidence, and drawing inspiration from different cultures, you can unlock your creative potential and approach life with a renewed sense of vigour and inspiration.

It can help you build a real-life social network

Traveling occupational therapy can be a great way to build a real-life social network. While it may seem daunting to constantly be on the move and meet new people, traveling OTs often find themselves welcomed with open arms by their new colleagues. As traveling therapists are often brought in to fill a gap, they are usually well-received by the staff, who are grateful for the extra help.

Traveling OTs can also take advantage of the opportunity to meet people outside of their work. By choosing to travel to large cities, OTs can explore new places and meet people with shared interests. They can join local groups, attend events, and immerse themselves in the community.

Additionally, traveling OTs can connect with other travelers through social media and networking websites. There are various online communities and platforms specifically designed for travelers to connect and share their experiences. These platforms can be a great way to meet like-minded individuals and build a social network with people who understand the unique challenges and rewards of traveling OT work.

Furthermore, traveling OTs often work with recruiters, who can become valuable connections. Building a good relationship with a recruiter can provide access to a network of professionals in the field. Recruiters often have connections with multiple facilities and can help traveling OTs find placements that align with their interests and goals.

Finally, traveling OTs can also choose to work with a placement service, which can provide support and assistance throughout their journey. Placement organizations often offer mentorship and guidance, helping traveling OTs navigate the challenges of working in new locations and adapting to different work cultures.

While traveling OT work may present challenges in building personal relationships, the opportunities for social connection are abundant. By embracing new experiences, staying open-minded, and taking advantage of the various networking tools available, traveling OTs can build a strong and diverse social network.

Frequently asked questions