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The Benefits Of Traveling The World

Clearly, I love to travel. I’ve dedicated a good portion of the last twelve years to seeing as much of the world as possible. Travel fills my heart with joy, and allows me to make new friends, and learn about new places, customs, and different cultures. It also allows me to experience history, taste amazing cuisines, see incredible art, and just plain let loose and have some fun. But did you know traveling the world has been scientifically proven to be good for your health? It’s true! Not only does travel expand your mind, but it’s good for your body. No doubt, there are many reasons to leave home and go on that trip.

In this post, I thought I’d take a closer look at some of the fantastic benefits of travel on both your mind and your body.

1. Cultural Awareness:

First on the list is increasing cultural awareness. Experiencing different cultures firsthand fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity. Travelers gain insights into traditions, customs, and lifestyles that differ from their own, promoting tolerance and empathy. I’ve had the great fortune of sharing a meal with a family in a Beijing hutong, seeing a haka performed live in New Zealand, and visiting a Mayan Temple in Belize. All of these experiences gave me insight into different cultures and how people around the world live. Sure, I could watch some YouTube videos or read about these things in a dusty old book, but it’s better to get out and experience them in person.

Travel is an amazing way to make those old lessons from your history textbooks come alive. I’ve learned so many things about people, religion, customs, and history through travel. Seeing new places and meeting new people expands your empathy for others and opens your brain to new ways of living.

2. Personal Growth:

One of my favorite benefits of traveling is how much it affects your personal growth. Engaging with new environments and experiences enhances personal development. Travelers often step outside their comfort zones, which builds confidence and adaptability. These skills are valuable in various aspects of life.

I do a lot of solo travel and at first, this was very scary for an anxious introvert like myself. I started slowly by signing up for group tours, but after some time I had the confidence to venture out on my own. I’m now comfortable in my own skin and with my ability to navigate the world alone. This has been truly life-changing. The benefits of traveling alone can help you in other areas of your life, helping you to be a more confident, self-assured person.

3. Education:

Travel serves as a dynamic form of education. It provides opportunities to learn about history, geography, and socio-economic conditions through direct experience. Visiting historical sites and museums makes learning more engaging and memorable. Simply reading about the world in books isn’t a very exciting way to learn. Visiting historic sites, museums, national parks, and new cities helps these lessons stick with you. Trust and believe, I can now clean up on Jeopardy thanks in no small. part to my love of travel.

4. Mental Health Benefits:

One of the top advantages of travelling is the many mental health benefits. There are a myriad of reasons why holidays make us happy. Travel can have a positive impact on mental well-being. A change of scenery allows you to break free from daily routines and relieve stress. Many find that travel rejuvenates the mind and spirit.

Of course, this is once you get past all the annoying parts of air travel or sitting in traffic. But the benefits of travelling far outweigh the cons. Visiting a new destination can be illuminating, relaxing, and rejuvenating if you take your time and remember to relax and go with the flow.

Travel has been shown to reduce stress, enhance mindfulness, improve creativity, increase happiness, boost confidence, and improve mood. As if you needed another reason to travel, do it for your mental health!

5. Enhanced Relationships:

Traveling can strengthen personal relationships. Shared experiences, whether with a group of friends, family, or a partner, create lasting memories and deepen connections. Collaborative travel planning and exploration can foster teamwork and communication.

Some of my best travel memories are traveling with my family. My fiance and I have traveled the world together and we have an incredible collection of framed photos in our home to remind us of our good times. We love looking at these photos as they always manage to bring a smile to our faces.

I’ve also traveled quite a bit with my mom who is retired now and loves seeing the world with me. Last year we visited Poland to retrace our family history. The trip brought us closer together and taught us a great deal about our ancestors. Next year we have plans to sail to Antarctica, an adventure that’s sure to provide some amazing memories.

You learn a lot about a person when you travel together. I cannot recommend it enough.

6. Economic Impact:

There are a significant number of travel benefits that have nothing to do with the travelers themselves. First and foremost, travel contributes significantly to local economies. Tourism creates jobs and supports small businesses, from hospitality to local artisans. Your dollars can make a big difference. By choosing to travel responsibly, you also promote sustainable practices that benefit communities. The key is traveling responsibly.

Remember to leave a place as good or better than you found it. I’ve done some volunteer work while traveling and it felt amazing to give back to local communities that hosted me. One of my favorite experiences was volunteering to help save dogs from the dog meat trade in Harbin, China. I loved it so much that I did it over five times. Even if you carve out just part of your trip to give back, it makes a huge difference in your life and the in community you visit.

7. Perspective Shift:

Exposure to different ways of life can lead to a broader perspective on your own situation. This shift can inspire new ideas and motivate you to make positive changes in your life or community. Simply put, travel expands your mind. I’d strongly urge you to seek opportunities outside of that all-inclusive resort and break free of your comfort zone to experience the full effects.

8. Adventure and Fun:

Travel offers a sense of adventure and an escape from the routine. From exploring natural wonders to tasting new cuisines, the thrill of discovering the unknown contributes to a fulfilling lifestyle. Swim with sharks, try that local dish, and go down that slide. Remember the joy you had as a kid and play! Travel offers you the opportunity to try new things and break free of the humdrum routine of your daily life. You can go on Viator or Get Your Guide and find tons of exciting experiences all around the world filled with fun and adventure.

9. Physical Health Benefits:

Travel is good for your body.

The benefits of travel extend beyond enjoyment; but if you need one more benefit of travel, do It for your health! Did you know travel has been scientifically proven to lower your risk of heart disease? According to a recent study, people who vacationed every year had about 30% less risk of dying from heart disease.

According to the director of clinical health at Spora Health, vacation time is also associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that can increase your chances of stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Travel has also been shown to increase your immune system. By exposing yourself to new and different ecosystems your body can build up immunity. Just make sure you get plenty of rest while you travel or you could be wearing down that immune system and putting yourself at risk of catching new bacteria.

Travel also boosts physical activity. You’re out and about enjoying a new city or having a beach adventure without the boredom that comes from hitting the gym. With travel, you’re getting exercise without even thinking about it. My favorite type of exercise.

Final Thoughts On The Benefits Of Travel

Hopefully, you can see why you need to start traveling. It’s fun, it’s good for the economy, and it’s good for your mental and physical health.

You can kick off your wanderlust by typing any location into the search bar at the top of the page. If I’ve been there I have tons of great and accessible information to share. Need some inspiration? Try checking out the drop-down menu on the homepage for a list of countries. I’ve been to thirty-five countries thus far and I’m adding new travels every day. You’re sure to find a destination that offers tons of travel benefits.

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