I get it – being a healthcare professional feels like living in a constant whirlwind. I’ve been there, postponing trips with the excuse of “later” while juggling endless shifts and responsibilities. But the truth hit me hard: later isn’t guaranteed. Burnout is real, and we need moments to remind ourselves why life is worth living beyond the hospital walls. Everyone has been YOLO spending but I believe in YOLO travel. You only live once – so take the trip, see the world, and reclaim your joy. I’ve done it, and it changed my perspective on both work and life. Let me show you why you should, too.

Burnout Feels Inevitable – Travel Is the Break You Deserve

Burnout doesn’t hit you all at once. It sneaks up in quiet ways. You’re tired all the time, irritable for no reason, or maybe you feel numb—even toward things you used to love.

Here’s the thing: a few days away can make a huge difference. Travel doesn’t have to be fancy or far. Even a weekend road trip somewhere new can pull you out of the fog. I remember driving just two hours to a small cabin for an overnight stay. I didn’t do much – just read, sat by the fireplace, and slept. It wasn’t glamorous, but I came back feeling like I could breathe again. That little escape made me realize how much I’d been running on empty.

Picture this: you’re sipping coffee on a quiet balcony, no pager buzzing, no chart to finish. Or maybe you’re walking through a city you’ve never been to, noticing tiny details – like the way light hits the buildings or how strangers laugh in a language you don’t understand.

For once, you’re not doing. You’re just being. And when you come back, you’ll feel lighter, sharper – like someone hit a reset button.

The “I’ll Travel Later” Trap

We all have reasons to put it off. “I don’t have time.” “It’s too expensive.” “I’ll go once I [insert life milestone here].”

I get it – healthcare schedules are relentless, and money doesn’t exactly grow on trees. But here’s a reality check: life isn’t going to slow down for you. If you’re waiting for the “perfect time,” you might be waiting forever.

Years ago, I caught myself saying, “I’ll travel more when I finish residency.” Then it was, “After I pay off these student loans.” You know what? The list never ends. At some point, you have to stop waiting and just go. One day, after a particularly brutal week, I decided to stop waiting. I booked a flight to Amsterdam for the following month. It wasn’t the perfectly planned itinerary, but that trip – seeing the canals, the Anne Frank House, and the food – was the reminder I needed that life can’t be put on hold.

Travel Makes You Feel Human Again

When you’re in healthcare, it’s easy to forget about yourself. You start to feel like you’re just… part of the machine. YOLO Travel is how you get that spark back.

It doesn’t have to be life-changing or picture-perfect. Sometimes it’s as simple as stepping out of your usual routine.

I remember a trip to Mallorca during a particularly rough stretch. I spent the afternoons by the pool or by the ocean doing nothing – absolutely nothing. It was the first time in months I’d felt still. When I came back, I noticed little things: I was more patient with my team, less rattled by small stuff, and just a little more me.

That’s the power of travel. It reconnects you to what’s important – not just in your career, but in your life.

How to Actually Make YOLO Travel Happen

If you’re thinking, “Sounds nice, but there’s no way I can do this,” here are a few tips to make it realistic:

• Start small. You don’t need a two-week vacation in Europe. A long weekend or quick day trip works wonders.
• Find your windows. Look for stretches between shifts, holidays, or slow periods. Even one extra day off can be enough.
• Be budget smart. Use travel deals, points, or last-minute discounts. Stay somewhere affordable—you’re there for the experience, not the five-star hotel.
• Put it on the calendar. Seriously, schedule it like a shift. Treat it like something you have to do, because you kind of do.

Travel Isn’t Selfish—It’s Necessary

In healthcare, taking time for yourself can feel selfish. It’s not. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and right now, a lot of us are running on fumes.

YOLO Travel is one of the best ways to fill yourself back up. It’s not just about “getting away” or having fun—though that’s part of it. It’s about coming back refreshed, calmer, and more yourself. That makes you better for your patients, your team, and the people in your life.

Bottom Line

I’ll say it again: life doesn’t wait. There will always be reasons to stay put—another shift to pick up, another excuse not to go. But one day, you’ll look up and realize time moved without you.

So pack a bag. Go see the place you’ve been daydreaming about. Take that weekend road trip or book a spontaneous flight. Collect the memories you’ll carry long after the trip is over.

When you come back, you’ll be ready for the next challenge—and you’ll never regret the time you took to live a little.

So, where’s your next YOLO travel stop?