Come journey with us as we explore and highlight the people and places that make the Blue Ridge and Southern Appalachian Mountains special and unique
Day Trips And Scenic Drives: 5 Ways They Make Our Lives Better
I’m not exactly sure when and where my love affair with backroads started.
It may have been in Spain traveling the backroads to the coast or high country to camp. Or possibly the country roads connecting farms in Caro, Michigan while visiting my grandparents in the summer. Maybe it was the Colonial Parkway bordering the York River in between Yorktown and Williamsburg. It most definitely could have been Highway 12 from Kitty Hawk to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore…especially south of Oregon Inlet. Oh, I can’t forget about the daily drive through Hilton Village along the James River to my college campus.
The truth is, it was assuredly a combination of all of these experiences and likely an innate love of experiencing beautiful scenery. To this day I am more inclined to take the road less traveled or the scenic route over crowded interstates and heavy traffic.
Day Trips And Scenic Drives Can Improve Your Mental Health
I have adopted (or adapted) Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famed phrase, “life is a journey, not a destination” and try to apply its principles to day trips and scenic drives. When I do, the trips are relaxing and rejuvenating versus structured and rigid. They actually improve my overall health and well being.
“Life is a journey, not a destination.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Scenic drives and day trips are like mini vacations. They allow us to unplug from our daily routine. We anticipate them and imagine what they will be like. We are intentional about clearing our schedules and to-do lists. Our minds begin to unwind a little and the tension and worries of our lives dissipate, if even just for a few hours.
Stress Relief
Unplugging from life’s daily grind is like hitting the reset button on our psyche. When we are free from worry our stress levels diminish. This allows our mind to rest, relax and recharge. The key is to relax, allow yourself to be distracted by the scenery, and enjoy the moment.
Boosts Happiness
Breaking free from the daily grind, stress, and worry actually reduces cortisol production in the body. When our cortisol levels are in check, we feel calm and content. And hey, who doesn’t feel happy when they’re calm and content?
Learn About Ourselves And Our World
Encourages Human Interaction
We try to stick to a golden rule in our family on day trips and scenic drives. No electronic devices unless its for taking pictures. There is always resistance at first, but before long we are engaged with one another and enjoying actual human interaction. It’s not all roses and rainbows, but I think at the end of the trip we all appreciate that we reconnected with our loved ones.
“A long stretch of road can teach you more about yourself than a hundred years of quiet” Unknown
Enhances Creativity
The positive affect of natural environments on the human brain and well personal being is backed by research and individual experiences alike. Being in nature reduces stress and promotes relaxation. We become inspired, our brain function increases, and our mood is boosted. When our brain is uncluttered we are more free to uncover our best thoughts and creative ideas.
Feeds your sense of adventure
Let’s be honest. Most of us live by a daily routine and seldom veer from it. I’m not suggesting its a bad thing. Living up to our obligations and responsibilities to our family, job, civic and volunteer duties are realities of life. But we are also made for so much more. When we shake things up and venture out into the unknown, and yes scenic drives and day trips can fall into this category, something in us shifts. Our senses are heightened, we become more aware of new things around us, we are curious, we are receptive to new things, and we slow down to see the beauty that is all around us. We also get to explore and discover new places, people, a connection to our past, and a list of places to explore on your next adventure.
You Don’t Have To Travel Far
You don’t have to travel far to experience all of this. You don’t even have to have a map, GPS, pre-planned destination, or live in a tourist town. In fact, some of our best experiences have been when we shut down the GPS, put away the maps and just started driving out of town. The important step is carving out time. And an added bonus – it only costs you a tank of gas and some snack money. The investment is small but the dividends are enormous. Experiences are better than stuff any day.
