Healing Journeys: Travel And Grief

Grieving can be overwhelming, indescribable & all consuming. We often don’t know what to tell loved ones experiencing loss, let alone how to help ourselves when we are in the thick of it ourselves. One way to seek refuge in this tumultuous time is to explore every corner of the world. Travel, while not a replacement for therapy, can emerge as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. Travel and grief can be a powerful combination so we can start to feel connected to people, places, and ourselves again. Grief and travel is a journey not just of miles, but of the heart & mind, a pilgrimage of healing & remembrance.

The Healing Alchemy of Novelty

Grief is so complex and it often leaves us trapped in the echoes of the past. Psychology research suggests that by embracing the unknown, true healing can often begin. Studies by esteemed psychologists like Dr. Paul Boelen at Utrecht University have suggested there are therapeutic benefits from environmental change in coping with grief. By immersing ourselves in new environments and cultures, we awaken dormant emotions and pave the way for emotional renewal. Separating us from our everyday lives also helps clear our minds to think more clearly.

Trip Idea: Visit a bucket list destination you’ve always wanted to: hike Machu Picchu, drive the German autobahn, or ride a horse in the Mongolian desert.

Embracing the Unfamiliar

When we lose a loved one (or a job, change careers, a pet) the world loses its vibrancy, as if all colors have been muted. Travel provides new landscapes, new people, new cultures, new experiences that help us. It almost intuitively taps into our soul and knows what we need at any given moment. Dr. Jennifer Wild, a clinical psychologist at the University of Oxford, emphasizes the transformative power of travel in shifting our perspective on life. She says it is not an escape from reality but a journey into the heart.

Trip Idea: Sometimes a round-the-world trip is what’s needed, a variety of sites & experiences. Many airline loyalty programs offer these and you can choose the lengths, destinations, etc. for a low price (and collect miles with 1 airline carrier for elite status!).

Moments of Solace Amidst the Chaos

Grief is like a powerful hurricane, tearing at the fabric of our being. Grief hits everyone differently, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. There is also no timeline, no 5 stages, nothing that you may have been told. It’s nothing like that. Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor, a grief researcher at the University of Arizona, notes the healing power of nature. Whether it’s the whispering wind through the trees or the sun kissing our cheeks, these moments begin to soothe our aching hearts.

Trip Idea: Hike to the magical vortexes in Sedona, relax on the beaches of an all-inclusive resort, or feel the ocean breeze on a cruise to far-off destinations.

Communing with Memories

As we traverse the landscapes of grief, every step becomes a pilgrimage of sorts. No matter the reason you are journeying, there is a purpose: to remember, to process, to find a path forward. Dr. Alan Wolfelt, a grief counselor and author, speaks of the importance of honoring loved ones through acts of commemoration. Whether it’s visiting a place of significance or carrying a cherished memento, these rituals become the threads that bind us to the past while guiding us towards the future. Scattering ashes on your travels is something many people have chosen to do.

Trip Idea: Take a pilgrimage trip (hike the Camino de Santiago in Spain, or visit the sanctuaries in Lourdes, France or Fátima, Portugal).

Charting a Course of Healing

In the end, grief is not a destination but a journey. The winding path leads us towards a future where we can live with the loss. Along the way, we can find solace in travel. We can go to therapy one day, then take a trip that weekend. Distance between day-to-day responsibilities & memories can often provide a way to think clearly. In the journey of grief, every step taken becomes a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. This is a testament to the enduring power of love, loss, and the indomitable will to heal.

Trip Ideas: Visit their favorite vacation destinations, visit places they never got to travel to, or visit ancestral homelands to see where your families have come from.

Plan Your Healing Journey

My name is Rod, I’m the owner of The Wanderlust Curators. I intimately know how grief can impact you (from death of family, a break-up, a job) — grieving takes many shapes. I believe travel and grief are an essential combination during this time to process and find a way forward. Reach out to plan your trip with me for free and I would love to help you!