As COVID is still sweeping the nation and putting a damper on traveling plans, I think it’s safe to say not many people are taking vacations anytime soon. But boy what I would give to be sipping a Pina colada on a beach somewhere soaking in the sun! A girl can dream, right?
Even though traveling is put on hold for now, giving yourself some downtime in the form of a small road trip, getting out of town for a few days. Just taking a mini-vacation if you’re able, can do wonders for your mental health.
Traveling isn’t just a retreat from everyday life, it can have a profound benefit on your long term health. Travel has been clinically proven to reduce anxiety and depression by encouraging gratitude and boosting happiness and satisfaction. In fact, there are many benefits that come with traveling. Check out these five reasons why you should travel below.
5 REASONS YOU SHOULD DO TRAVELING:
Broadens perspective:
Whether it’s 200 miles or 200,000 miles, traveling to a new place is a definite way to push oneself out of their comfort zone. Going on new adventures to a foreign country, or even somewhere in your own backyard. Bring out your inner explorer as you learn about a new culture, indulge in the local cuisine, and explore those taste buds! Embracing the unfamiliarity of a new experience is one of the many benefits of traveling.
Learn about the world:
If you’ve ever found yourself asking which way is east from west, then you probably aren’t going to be a navigator anytime soon. Traveling takes us out of our comfort zones and puts our navigation skills to the test. It’s only after circling the same intersection five times when you finally decide to pull over and ask for directions. Whether we are asking for directions in a foreign country or try navigating a new freeway out of state, we learn more about the world by learning how to get around and communicating. Try striking up a conversation with the person sitting next to you on the plane and ask your taxi driver about his favorite local places to dine.
Stress relief:
Traveling on the open road, feeling the wind in your hair, listening to your favorite song with a destination in mind not having a care in the world. Now that sounds like a trip with benefits. By focusing on the present moment, traveling allows our minds to take a break and forget about all the stressors waiting for us at home.
Enhances creativity:
Yes, I know it can seem scary being in an unfamiliar place. For all, you could know there could be a brothel right around the corner. But don’t fret, that likely won’t happen (at least not nowadays). Immersing yourself in your new surroundings is a great way to let that creativity of yours out. Enhancing creativity by exploring new cultures and traditions is one advantage of traveling you don’t want to miss out on.
Self-discovery
As we travel, one thing we humans do that we tend to avoid in our daily lives is push ourselves. By this I mean push ourselves beyond our comfort zones. This advantage of traveling allows us to discover ourselves in new ways. Experience new food and activities, sightseeing, and meeting new people. Maybe you just discovered your new favorite dish all because you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone. The health benefits of traveling help us learn more about ourselves and grow as individuals, which in turn has a positive impact on our mental health.
Travelling allows you to expand your horizons and makes you realize the importance of exploring and not living in one place all the time. There are also amazing advantages to traveling alone. Here are the top five reasons why you should travel alone at least once in your life.
5 BENEFITS OF TRAVELING ALONE:
Get to know yourself better
One of the advantages of traveling alone is learning more about yourself along the way. It can be hard discovering who you are working a 9 – 5 job and having little to no free time. The advantage of traveling alone exposes you to raw experiences within yourself and expands and grows you as a human being through exploring different places around the world. Once you are on your own, you will discover the importance of following and listening to your own heart. A destination far away might help you find answers about your true purpose in life and what is it you are really meant to do.
Learn how to rely on yourself while traveling
When traveling to other countries you only have yourself to rely on in difficult situations. You are the one and most important person in your life so make sure you learn how to trust your own heart, take decisions, and make your own choices. That will help you further in life when it comes to taking an important step in your life because you will realize that it is you who creates the reality around you and it is significant to respect your own needs.
Confidence booster
The advantages of traveling alone will challenge your limits and the ability to cope with obstacles. This in turn will make you a stronger person and help you grow as a traveler and human being. Just being on a trip on your own is a challenge itself and all the other things that you will have to organize will help you realize that you can achieve anything you set your mind to only if you keep going.
Learn to enjoy your own company in traveling
You will start appreciating your own company much more and enjoying the time you spend on your own. Being alone on the road is also a great way to connect with your higher self spiritually and enhance your relationship with yourself.
Good for your well-being
Each one of us can admit that traveling makes us happy and excited. It can reduce stress, calm your body and mind and also show you one of the most important reasons we live on this planet: to reunite with the natural world and be part of every beautiful place on the Earth.