Heartbreak is unfortunately a common part of life, and it does really hurt. We’ve all been there at some time in our life and it is safe to say that we all try to avoid experiencing heartbreak again. It usually happens when a relationship comes to an end. That being with a romantic partner, a family member, a loved pet and even a job. The stress from the loss can lead to a broken heart. So if you are newly alone, this post is for you. It is about healing a broken heart with travel.

What is a Broken Heart?

Heartbreak is a metaphor we use to describe how we are feeling after a break up. But you can also have a medically broken heart. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is the medical name for a syndrome that can be caused from the stress of heartbreak. The sadness you feel can cause the left ventricle of your heart to become ‘stunned’ or paralysed. And you can feel symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and vomiting and sometimes strong chest pains.

Why Does a Broken Heart Hurt so Much?

It seems, our brain registers the emotional pain of a broken heart similar to physical pain. This is why you can feel like your heart has been ripped out! It also seems hormones have something to do with it. Love is addictive, like a drug and our brain releases happy hormones, particularly Dopamine and oxytocin when we are in love. When we have a ‘break up’ the hormone level drops and is replaced with the stress hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol can contribute to anxiety and nausea and other negative mental and physical symptoms associated with heartbreak. Tending to this heartbreak can feel like a full-time job and you often wake up wondering when these feelings will pass. 

How Do You Heal a Broken Heart?

I’m going to add here that old adage ‘you will heal with time’, because it is true. Over time, all the stress from the ending of the relationship will become less. But one way in particular, and what this post is really about is healing your broken heart with travel.

Healing A Broken Heart With Travel

So how do you mend a broken heart with travel? Well firstly, you need to get out of the routine you currently are in. It will be hard as you are probably use to meeting your partner to go out and now you find yourself alone. This is where solo travel can really turn your life around. Imagine escaping to a new destination to help distract you from ‘missing’ that loved one or thing you have lost. The benefits I have found I highlight following.

Benefits of Travel to Mend a Broken Heart

Travel can be daunting, particularly if you decide to travel solo, but even more so when your heart is broken. At the same time it can be rewarding and help you recover. Each of the following benefits can help to heal your broken heart.

Rediscover Yourself

Travelling forces us into new situations, some of these maybe awkward and you will need to draw on your inner self to cope with these situations. Travel can help you get to know yourself again and show you, you can do things without needing that other person or thing in your life. 

Travel will Help You Make New Memories

Forget the ‘remember the time we did this’ and start creating new and exciting stories.

Meet New People and ‘Forgot’ About the Old

Travelling will help mend your broken heart by allowing you to meet new people. I’ve always found when I’ve travelled alone I make more of an effort to meet new people. This is because I am not giving my full attention to my travel partner. Even if it is just a quick conversation while sharing the same seat on a bus or train, that interaction will help you feel better. If you don’t want to travel on your own, why not join a group tour. Meeting other people, who may or may not be heart broken themselves will help distract you from how you are feeling and hopefully bring you ‘back to life’ and seeing things ‘through rose coloured glasses’ again.

Face Your Fears

Doing some travel with a broken heart will help you face your fears. Travel can make you stronger so when you go back to your ’normal life’ you will be stronger to deal with what you are faced with.

Places Not to Travel to with a Broken Heart

If you are travelling with a broken heart I highly suggest you avoid ‘honeymoon destinations’. There is nothing worse watching couples enjoying their love for each other when you have just had your heart broken. I would definitely avoid Paris and some beach resorts with romantic night lighting for dining!

Places to Travel with a Broken Heart

I would suggest you take your newly single self to a big city and get lost in the crowds. Go see the sights. Take a walking tour. Eat in places where eating on your own isn’t an issue. Or perhaps go off grid, camping and hiking and getting back to nature where you can prioritise your mental and physical health and mend that broken heart. Maybe a yoga retreat to pamper yourself is more up your ally. Or perhaps move abroad and work and travel in another country on a working holiday visa or as a digital nomad. Throwing yourself into working in another may help in mending your heart. Wherever you choose, taking the first step to mending your broken heart is a must. If you don’t, you could get lost in the darkness which is not what you want. You will need accommodation during your ‘healing trip’ so check out Booking.com to get a good deal.

Are You Ready to Begin Healing Your Broken Heart with Travel? I hope so!

I know it is easy to get a bottle of wine and drink yourself into oblivion after a breakup or loss, however, I do hope you consider travel to help mend your broken heart. Travel is more than just travel of discovering new places and cultures, it can be therapeutic too. I cannot guarantee travel will mend a broken heart, but it definitely can begin the healing process.

Some Travel Inspiration to help Heal Your Broken Heart

5 Day London Itinerary
1 Month Japan Itinerary
How to Spend 2 Days in New York
Spend a Week in Cancun, Mexico
How to Work and Travel Abroad