Travel as therapy for life's crossroads

Tammy Russo always loved to travel to far-flung places: Morocco, Bhutan, Indonesia. But after her father's cancer diagnosis, the Chicagoan channeled her wanderlust to destinations they could enjoy together: Italy, Greece, Sedona, Ariz.

After her dad's death in 2010, Russo spent the first anniversary of his passing on a vacation that honored both his generous spirit and her adventurous streak. She hooked up with travel company Roadmonkey (roadmonkey.net), which plans and leads "adventure philanthropy" expeditions, to trek across glaciers in Patagonia and help rebuild a decaying coin laundry in the inner city of Buenos Aires.

"It was about celebration, trying to establish a new normal that had elements of what the past was," said Russo, 51.

Travel can be a powerful guide at an emotional crossroads, whether you're grappling with a death, heartbreak, job loss or burnout.

The benefits of seeking succor after a loss are not just psychological. A recent study found that the risk of heart attack or stroke doubles in the 30 days after a person loses his or her partner and remains 25 percent higher among the bereaved a year later.

What kind of trip will help you heal depends on who you are and what you're going through.

If a stressful situation has you ruminating in an exhausting loop, taking a trip that is eventful and challenging, such as a volunteer or adventure vacation, can help clear those thought patterns so you can approach the problem from a different perspective, said Art Markman, a psychology professor at the University of Texas and author of "Smart Change" (Perigee Trade).

Karen Schaler, author of "Travel Therapy: Where Do You Need to Go?" (Seal) and creator and host of "Travel Therapy" TV segments, said volunteering at an orphanage in Malawi helped her reboot after quitting her 15-year career as a hard news TV reporter.

"It made me realize you don't want to waste time," she said.

For Chelsea Gustafson, taking a Roadmonkey trip through Vietnam helped give her the confidence she needed to quit her job and break up with her boyfriend to pursue her travel dreams.

Gustafson, who said she had spent most of her life playing it safe, biked 300 miles in the central highlands and helped build a working farm to grow food for a boarding school. She said she felt that she got the most out of getting lost while wandering the village and conversing with locals despite the language barrier.

"It taught me that I was resourceful enough to figure it out and make decisions and take care of myself no matter what the circumstances," said Gustafson, 30, who now is working on a doctorate in chemistry at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

"Being able to look back on a rich collection of experiences is what makes people fulfilled," he said.

Other times, such as when a divorce, death or other trauma has left you emotionally spent, the best healing might occur at a serene place where you give yourself the time and permission to reflect, Markman said.

Sites such as the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, Calif., co-founded in 1996 by mind-body guru Deepak Chopra, offer programs on emotional freedom and work-life balance as well as Eastern healing methods such as rebalancing ayurveda and detoxifying Panchakarma. A host of other wellness programs, many of them luxurious retreats in spectacular locations, are listed at healinghotelsoftheworld.com.

Days after Ryan Sheridan, 39, lost a close uncle to cancer, he went on a yoga and cooking retreat in Vermont with Pravassa Wellness Travel (pravassa.com). The "omnipresent crushing sense of sorrow and mourning" lifted as he practiced yoga, helped prepare gourmet meals, took walks in the countryside and shared a laugh with other travelers over wine.

The time to himself helped him process his grief so he could "come back to the daily grind with a little more balance," he said.

It also doesn't need to be a solo venture.

Public relations executive Sarah Evans, of New York City, traveled with her husband and 2-year-old daughter to Argentina and Uruguay last fall, where they did little but enjoy each other's company at luxury hotels.

"It was a moment of connection without distraction," Evans said. "I felt so at peace."

Karen Schaler of traveltherapytrips.com offered vacation ideas for some of life's tough moments. Note: Some people de-stress best at a spa and others while ziplining, so know your personality.

Heartbreak: Challenge yourself with a new adventure, like kayaking, for a confidence boost.

Job loss: Hike in regional parks or wilderness areas to clear your mind and tackle what's next.