Why Small Group Travel Became My Unexpected Mental Health Solution

Quick read. After 20 years of leading small-group fitness and adventure trips—from the Kokoda Trail to paranormal investigations—I have discovered that shared adversity in groups of 8-16 people naturally offers deeper mental health benefits than standard wellness tourism. The secret isn't the activity itself; it's the genuine human connection that develops when strangers face challenges together.

How small group travel enhances mental health

• Shared physical or emotional challenges foster bonding through vulnerability and mutual support.

• Small groups (8-16 people) foster psychological safety where genuine connections develop easily.

• Multi-day experiences help people drop their social masks, building trust more quickly than years of casual acquaintance.

• The transformation takes 1-2 weeks after the trip during the reflection period when people process shared experiences.

• This approach provides what medication and therapy often can't: real human connection and community.

How I Unintentionally Found Out about the Mental Health Benefits of Group Adventure

I didn't intend to fix loneliness.

What I Was Actually Selling Compared to What People Were Buying

Back in 2009, I was running outdoor fitness bootcamps in Malaysia. People turned up because they wanted military-inspired fitness training in a different setting from their usual gym. They paid good money to flip tyres in monsoon rain and haul sandbags through mud.

The physical results were incredible. But something else was happening that I couldn't anticipate.

They were bonding.

When people work hard together in tough conditions, they form emotional connections. I saw this happen session after session for years. After workouts, groups would go to cafes together. They'd share meals, swap stories, and build friendships.

I was selling fitness; they were building community.

What I Learned: The social bonds created through team-based physical challenges proved more meaningful to participants than the fitness outcomes themselves. This realisation became the basis for everything that followed.

Why the Kokoda Trail Changed My Perspective on Human Connection

In 2014, I hosted my first group along the Kokoda Trail. That week-long trek through Papua New Guinea changed everything I believed about human connection.

The Kokoda Trail is tough. You're trekking through high mountains in remote areas, sleeping in tents, carrying your gear, with limited facilities and showers. Every emotion imaginable comes to the surface in each person.

True colours are revealed.

Your ego gets dented if you have one. The trail levels everyone out regardless of your job title or bank account. You learn something about yourself. You come back a better person.

But what surprised me most is the support people give each other, and it's unexplainable.

What Occurs When Strangers Endure Hardship Together

Research confirms what I've observed over 20 years. Studies indicate that pain significantly enhances bonding and cooperation among people who endure shared painful experiences. Students who engaged in painful tasks together reported much stronger group bonds than those who did the same activities without pain.

Harvard discovered that 67% of lonely adults believe they are not part of meaningful communities. The crisis isn't just about loneliness; it's the absence of a sense of belonging.

I stumbled upon the solution by chance.

How to Support People When They Reach Their Breaking Point

When someone becomes physically or mentally tired on day three of a trek, they sometimes lash out. They say things they later regret. In those moments, you support them or give them space. You get through it together.

Everyone has their moments. Everyone lets their guard down. We're all human.

What happens on the trail stays on the trail. But what comes back with the people is a different story.

Core Insight: Shared pain builds stronger bonds than shared pleasure because it demands vulnerability and mutual support. This explains why traditional wellness retreats often struggle to forge lasting connections.

When the Actual Mental Health Transformation Occurs

Most people return from these trips feeling more relaxed and less stressed. They slow down if they've been living at a hectic pace. They reflect on their daily lives and question certain aspects of it. They come back with a greater sense of gratitude.

But the true transformation happens one to two weeks after the trip ends.

Why the Reflection Period Is More Important Than the Experience Itself

That's when people start processing what they've been through. That's when the neurological bond gets stronger. Research on shared negative experiences shows this reflection period is when identity fusion really occurs.

I can take one group through Tasmania for six days, then lead a different group on the same itinerary in the same spot at the same time. The experiences will be completely different.

Adventure is what you don't know is going to happen.

Key Finding: The transformation doesn't occur during the trip—it happens 1-2 weeks later when the brain processes shared experiences and reinforces social bonds. This delayed response explains why participants often don't recognise the full value until they're back home.

Why I Included Haunted Getaways and Battlefield Tours

In 2022, I branched into paranormal holidays and battlefield tours. On the surface, that appears like a strange shift from fitness adventures.

But the common thread stays the same: connecting through small group travel and shared interests.

How paranormal experiences foster the same bonding as physical challenges

We've spent the night on the USS Hornet, a WWII aircraft carrier in San Francisco. Guests sleep in the same bunks where soldiers once rested during their time on the ship. We've visited supposedly haunted locations across the USA.

Sharing a haunted experience in the dark creates the same bond as overcoming a mountain climb.

It's not always about the theme. People connect through shared stories and experiences. They bond over meals. They explore new places they've never been to before. They mingle with folks from different cultures.

The U.S. Surgeon General compared the death toll from loneliness to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. What I offer isn't just for fun anymore. It's genuinely life-saving.

The Pattern: Whether it's physical exhaustion on Kokoda or fear during a paranormal investigation, vulnerability fosters connection. The specific challenge doesn't matter—what matters is facing it together with a small group of people who share your interest.

Why Group Size Matters More Than You Might Realise

I could fill a bus with 40 people and make more money. But something goes wrong when the group gets too big.

With up to 16 people, I can connect with each individual emotionally. Two or three facilitators can provide enough attention so no one feels left out or excluded.

The Ideal Group Size for Psychological Safety

Research on psychological safety confirms this. Small groups are identified as one of eight key facilitators of psychological safety. Team size directly influences whether members feel comfortable speaking up without fear of embarrassment.

Only 5% of survey respondents identified gym or fitness classes as places where they feel a strong sense of belonging. I discovered 20 years ago that the social bonds formed through physical challenge are what people truly crave.

The workout is just the instrument.

The Numbers: Groups of 8-16 people enable facilitators to provide individual attention while keeping control. Larger groups weaken emotional connection; smaller groups lack diverse perspectives. This ideal range balances safety and bonding potential.

What Traditional Wellness Tourism Gets Wrong

Wellness travel is booming. Hilton's 2023 report showed that 50% of travelers now look for experiences that support both mental and physical well-being.

But most wellness retreats overlook the vital element: shared hardship.

Why Spa Retreats Fail to Build Lasting Bonds

You can't build a genuine connection in a spa. Research shows that sharing negative experiences is especially effective in fostering group bonding and commitment. Studies found that teams that shared negative experiences showed increased supportive interactions, which boosted creativity.

When COVID-19 restrictions restricted access to adventure recreation, participants especially noted the loss of these emotion-regulation opportunities as damaging to their well-being.

People need challenges. They need discomfort. They need to witness each other's struggles and support one another through them.

The Missing Ingredient: Traditional wellness tourism focuses on comfort, but comfort doesn't foster bonds. Shared adversity does. Therefore, adventure-based travel delivers better mental health outcomes than passive relaxation experiences.

What Group Travel Can and Cannot Fix

I'm not a psychologist. When someone approaches me with mental health concerns, I listen and suggest they see a therapist and spend time with supportive people.

Our group travel events can't solve problems. But they can help you manage them more efficiently.

That's a careful distinction I've learned over 20 years.

How Adventure Travel Enhances Traditional Mental Health Treatment

Research shows that 75% of lonely adults say that helping others would reduce their loneliness. My model provides exactly this dynamic. Group members support each other through challenges in an adventure setting.

The World Health Organization states that approximately 16% of people worldwide experience loneliness. Young adults aged 18-34 report the highest levels, with 30% feeling lonely daily or several times a week.

Traditional approaches concentrate on medication and therapy. They have their place. However, they can't replace genuine human belonging.

Important Distinction: Group adventure travel does not replace professional mental health treatment. Instead, it addresses what medication and therapy often can't—the fundamental human need for belonging and community. It's a complement, not a replacement.

Why Strangers on Adventures Trust Each Other Quicker Than Old Friends

The most surprising thing I've learnt: strangers on a week-long adventure end up trusting each other more deeply than people who've known each other for years back home.

When people spend days on end together, eating, travelling, and talking constantly, they share more than they often realise. They laugh together and celebrate their wins during the event.

What Sets Multi-Day Experiences Apart From Everyday Interactions

A 2025 study published in Behavioural Sciences titled "Exploring the Transformational Role of Regular Nature-Based Adventure Activity Engagement in Mental Health and Long-Term Eudaimonic Well-Being" found that repeatedly entering a liminal state, experiencing a range of emotions, and overcoming challenges during engagement are essential for successful, lasting transformation (Pomfret et al., 2025).

Back home, people keep their masks on. They protect their reputation. They stay in their comfort zones.

On a multi-day trek or paranormal investigation, those masks come off. You can't fake it when you're exhausted, scared, or pushed beyond your limits.

That's where true connection happens.

Why It Works: Spending extended time together in tough situations forces genuine behaviour. People can't keep up social pretences for days when faced with physical or emotional challenges. This quicker vulnerability builds trust faster than years of polite chats.

The One Thing the Travel Industry Doesn't Get About Human Connection

Community.

When people feel valued in a community, that human connection becomes addictive, and they crave more.

Most travel companies focus on destinations, amenities, and experiences. They aim to make sure everyone feels comfortable and satisfied. They avoid anything that might cause discomfort or conflict.

But comfort doesn't create bonds. Shared challenge does.

The Formula for Building Organic Connections in Small Group Travel

I've been running outdoor fitness programs since 2005. I started travelling to events in 2014. Over that time, I've watched thousands of people transform through small group experiences.

The pattern stays the same: people arrive as strangers, face challenges together, support each other, and then go their separate ways as friends. Some of those friendships last for years.

Harvard's research revealed that 81% of lonely adults suffer from anxiety or depression. The answer isn't simply more meditation apps or wellness retreats with cucumber water.

The answer is to set up situations where people depend on each other.

That's what I accidentally discovered in Malaysia in 2009. That's what the Kokoda Trail proved in 2014. That's what every paranormal investigation and battlefield tour has confirmed since 2022.

You can't intentionally plan an organic connection, but you can set the right conditions for it to happen naturally.

The four elements that establish enduring human connections:

• Small groups (max 8-16 people)

• Shared challenges (physical, emotional, or intellectual)

• Common interests (fitness, history, paranormal, adventure)

Mutual support (facilitators who assist without abandoning) is the key. Everything else is just logistics.

Bottom Line: The travel industry sells comfort and convenience. But what people really need for mental health is vulnerability and interdependence. This fundamental misunderstanding is why traditional tourism fails to address the loneliness epidemic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Group Adventure Travel and Mental Health

How does travelling in small groups boost mental health?
Small group travel enhances mental well-being by fostering genuine human connections through shared challenges. When 8-16 people face physical or emotional hardships together, they build bonds based on vulnerability and mutual support. This tackles the root cause of many mental health problems: a lack of belonging and community.

What's the ideal group size for adventure travel experiences?
The ideal group size is 8-16 people. This range allows facilitators to provide individual attention to each participant while maintaining group cohesion. Groups smaller than 8 lack diversity; groups larger than 16 weaken emotional connection and make it harder to ensure no one feels left behind.

Why do strangers bond more quickly on adventure trips than friends do at home?
Extended time together in tough situations forces people to drop their social masks. You can't sustain a facade for days when you're exhausted or feeling fatigue spending late nights exploring haunted buildings. This rapid vulnerability builds deeper trust in a week than years of casual chat. Back home, people protect their reputation and stay within comfort zones.

Can group adventure travel replace therapy or medication for mental health?
No. Group adventure travel complements but doesn't replace professional mental health treatment. It addresses what medication and therapy often can't—the fundamental human need for belonging and community. If you're struggling with mental health issues, seek therapy and supportive people first.

When does the shift from group travel actually occur?
The real transformation happens 1-2 weeks after the trip ends. That's when people process shared experiences and neurological bonds strengthen. Research shows this reflection period is when identity fusion occurs. During the trip, people feel connected; after the trip, those connections become lasting.

Why do paranormal excursions foster the same sense of bonding as physical challenges?
Both create vulnerability. Whether it's physical exhaustion on a mountain or fear in a haunted location, the emotional challenge forces authenticity. The specific activity doesn't matter—what matters is facing something difficult together with people who share your interest.

What sets adventure travel apart from traditional wellness retreats?
Traditional wellness tourism focuses on comfort and relaxation. However, comfort alone doesn't foster connections—shared adversity does. Research indicates that teams who experience hardships together form stronger bonds and become more innovative. Adventure travel provides the challenges required for true transformation.

How long does it take for group bonding to develop on a trip?
Bonding begins immediately when people work together towards team goals but deepens over multi-day experiences. By day three of a tough trek, people's true colours emerge and guards come down. The longer the shared experience, the stronger the bond—but meaningful connection can start in a single session.

Key Takeaways

• Shared adversity fosters stronger bonds than shared pleasure.
  Pain, fear, and physical challenges force vulnerability, which builds trust more quickly than comfortable experiences ever can.

• The ideal group size for psychological safety is 8-16 people.
  Smaller groups lack diversity; larger groups dilute connections and make it harder for facilitators to give individual attention.

• The true transformation takes place 1-2 weeks after the trip.
  The reflection period—rather than the experience itself—is when the brain processes shared challenges and strengthens social bonds.

• Group adventure travel complements, rather than replaces, mental health treatment.
  It meets the basic need for connection that medication and therapy alone can't provide.

• The activity theme is less important than the shared challenge.
  Whether it's the Kokoda Trail, paranormal investigation, or battlefield tour, vulnerability in a small group fosters connection.

• Traditional wellness tourism misses the essential ingredient: discomfort.
  Spa retreats focus on comfort, but true transformation involves witnessing others' struggles and supporting them through it.

• You can't plan an organic connection, but you can create the conditions for it. Small groups + shared challenges + common interests + mutual support = the formula for tackling the loneliness epidemic through travel.

About the Author

Rob Coad is the founder of Rob Coad Adventures, a small-group travel company focusing on fitness adventures, paranormal holidays, and battlefield tours. With over 20 years of experience in outdoor fitness and adventure travel, Rob has guided thousands of participants through transformative experiences across several continents.

He started his career in 2005 running outdoor fitness bootcamps and expanded into adventure travel in 2009 when he launched programs in Malaysia. In 2014, he hosted his first group on the iconic Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, an experience that deeply shaped his understanding of how shared adversity fosters lasting human connection.

Since 2022, Rob has broadened his offerings to include paranormal investigations and historic battlefield tours, applying the same principles of small-group dynamics and shared challenge across different themes. His work aims to create conditions for genuine connection through carefully crafted group experiences that prioritise psychological safety, mutual support, and meaningful challenge.

Rob's approach is based on twenty years of direct observation and participant feedback, combined with research into adventure-based mental health benefits and group bonding dynamics.