Travel to reconnect: it goes far beyond taking time off
Written by: Luísa Rangel
Published on: April 23, 2025
Image by shannonpix
Estimated Reading Time:5-6 minutes
We often talk about holidays. But is resting really just about taking a break from work? True rest — the kind that restores both body and mind — has less to do with free time and everything to do with presence.
Travel can be a form of self-care. Not just any kind of travel, though — we’re talking about journeys that help us reconnect with our own pace, quiet the noise, and swap urgency for a slower rhythm. These are the kinds of experiences that offer the real pause we need.
"Resting, truly resting, is leaving autopilot mode and returning to the body with gentleness."
Many of us travel to escape: from stress, schedules, mental clutter. But what if the purpose of a journey wasn’t to escape, but to return?
Return to what matters, to what feels most alive inside us.
A place where time stretches. Where you wake up to birdsong and fall asleep with the scent of the sea. That kind of setting isn’t just beautiful — it’s healing.
“It’s not about how far you go. It’s about how close you get to what brings you peace.”
And science agrees: holidays aren’t just a breath of fresh air — they can actually restore us, if we’re truly willing to unplug.
According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, people who took restorative holidays experienced significant decreases in stress and improvements in overall wellbeing — and those benefits lasted for up to 30 days after returning. But here’s the key: quality matters more than quantity.
Disconnecting means really disconnecting — stepping away from work, notifications, pressure. Your mind needs to understand it’s time to slow down.
That’s where nature comes in — not as decoration, but as medicine.
Being near water, trees, or mountains lowers cortisol levels and improves our mood. Gentle movement in nature (like walking, swimming, or hiking) increases endorphin production and brings us back to a state of calm awareness.
Even the sounds we hear affect how deeply we rest.
Research shows that natural white noise — like ocean waves, rainfall, or rustling leaves — helps the brain enter a more relaxed state, improving both sleep quality and cognitive function. According to a study published in Scientific Reports, white noise can help reduce stress by dampening overactivity in the brain's default mode network — the part responsible for mind-wandering and rumination.
That’s why being surrounded by nature doesn’t just feel peaceful — it’s physiologically healing.
We’ve curated a special White Noise Playlist on our Spotify. Let it be your background for moments of rest, whether you're working, journaling, or winding down for the night.
“Moving your body in a peaceful place is like pressing a reset button on your soul.”
Image by Colorfly Studio
Restorative rest: more than just extra sleep
Have you ever slept eight hours and still felt exhausted?
That’s because true rest isn’t only physical — it’s emotional, sensory, and even spiritual. And in a world of constant stimulation, restorative rest asks for something rare: less noise, more presence.
Sometimes, to truly rest, we need to step away from the environments that keep us switched on. Travelling to reconnect can be a profound act of care — for your mind, your emotions, and your spirit.
"Stopping isn’t enough. You have to let yourself feel the quiet."
Photo by Unknown.
A quiet invitation: slow down in Brazil’s Costa Verde
If you’re looking for a place where your nervous system can finally exhale, the Costa Verde in Rio de Janeiro is quietly waiting for you. Framed by lush Atlantic rainforest and the deep blue of the South Atlantic, this stretch of coastline offers more than postcard beauty — it offers rhythm. Simplicity. Space to breathe.
Here are just a few places that might call you in:
Paraty – Cobblestone streets, local art on every corner, and time that flows differently.
Trindade – Wild beaches, jungle trails, and a feeling of being far away from it all — yet closer to yourself.
Ilha Grande – No cars. No rush. Just nature, trails, and starry skies that make you dream lighter.
But even before you go, here’s a gentle list to help you rest and reset with intention — right where you are:
✺ Find five minutes of stillness — no phone, no agenda, just breath.
✺ Step outside and feel the light on your skin.
✺ Drink something slowly. Taste it.
✺ Move your body in a way that feels kind.
✺ Write one thing you want to leave behind — and one you want to welcome in.
✺ Listen to nature (even if it’s a recording). Let it re-tune you.
✺ Choose quiet — not silence, but what nourishes.
“Sometimes, all we need is a place where the soul can breathe.”
Whether it’s for a weekend or a little longer, give yourself the chance to experience a journey that’s not just a break — but a return.
Because the kind of rest that truly restores is the one that brings you back to yourself.
Sources:
Scientific Reports – White noise selectively modulates attentional gain
Speaking of Psychology: Why you should take a vacation—and how to get the most out of it
