Did you know that social anxiety is regarded as a “very healthy fear” by clinical psychologists? It’s something so many of us battle with – even if it’s not entirely obvious. As we creep towards the mid-year point (wow, that went fast) you may be mulling over what’s happened so far in 2024 – and what’s to come. Whether you’re feeling the strain of work stress or too familiar with that unnerving feeling of socializing with a group of strangers, or you’re simply looking for new sources of joy and travel inspiration, these SOLO articles are here to help.
New experiences come naturally when you’re traveling – whether you’re cruising through Morocco in a vintage sidecar or swimming in crystal-clear water in Albania. But adventure shouldn’t be confined to an exotic location or rare time off – daily life deserves an uplift, too. In fact, the more you can kindle your everyday with a frisson of the great unknown, the less stressful work and other pressures become. Keen to add a holiday-like highlight to your daily life? Here you go…
If you’re unsure about the idea of group travel, rest assured – you’re not alone. In recent feedback from our global community, we found fear around the issue to be the one of the most common issues for would-be Flashpackers yet to take the plunge. It’s an anxiety that makes total sense. The whole point of traveling in a small group of strangers is that you never know what you’re going to get. And that unknown that can be unnerving. The good news? Clinical psychologists believe it’s an entirely healthy fear.
According to a new citizen-science experiment from the University of California, Berkeley, daily moments of awe, gratitude and kindness can have a profound impact on mood. The Big JOY project invites participants from all over the world to try increasing daily happiness; both in themselves and the community more widely. Volunteers are asked to monitor their emotional wellbeing while engaging in various activities. The results? It’s pretty staggering stuff.
Keen to shake things up even more? You don’t need infinite amounts of time to reap the benefits of travel. Microadventures, like those in our Short Stay collection, help fire up your brain and release stress, all while relieving you of the hassle and time drain of planning. Even better, they are the perfect intro to solo group travel, with each adventure lasting just three or four nights. From beaches to backstreets, there’s an adventure that’s set to kick the rest of 2024 into a higher gear.
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