It’s a Scientific Fact: Traveling Has Loads of Benefits

If you have ever traveled abroad, you will remember the excitement of planning and the anticipation of experiencing a new place and seeing new sights.

Although humans may be creatures of habit, we benefit greatly from stepping away from our daily routines for a well-deserved adventure - in fact, many of us crave adventure, hence the term “wanderlust”.

In fact, science has proven that traveling has many benefits including making you healthier, less stressed, and happier.

So, if you have not ventured away from monotony for a while, you should consider planning your next escape. Make sure to get your gear ready like bike racks and cargo carriers, RackFact has some great reviews of these items.

In addition to making you healthier, traveling can benefit your life in many ways.

An escape from the ordinary can help you find a new passion in life; become a better problem solver, make you more social and, it'll strengthen bonds between friends and family, among other benefits.

Exploring faraway places makes you happier, which in turn makes you healthier. The modern world is fast paced, demanding, and full of stressors that constantly keep us on edge. Being stressed raises cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body.

According to a research study conducted by the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, women who go on vacation at least twice a year, have a significantly lower risk of a heart attack. 

Another study outlined that men who don't take a yearly vacation are 30% more at risk for heart disease and 20% greater risk for death.

Even though there can be times while traveling that induce anxiety, like flight delays or being unable to find your hotel, the overall benefit of traveling is positive with great reduction in stress.

Memories you make while abroad with friends, family, or even alone will be worth the minor inconveniences of airports and hotels.

Traveling can give you the time to reflect on life back home and see it from a new perspective. You may experience a reboot upon arriving home that increases your motivation to succeed in your current endeavors. This boost in productivity can reignite your passion and remind you why you do what you do.

However, you may learn that you need to make some changes back home to make your happiness a priority. No matter what, traveling lets you open your mind by breaking out of the monotony of daily life so that you may evaluate your situation from new eyes.

The new experiences you encounter on your adventures may lead you to find a new purpose in life.

Exposing yourself to new cultures and interacting with people from around the world helps you become a more understanding and well-rounded person. This personal growth can broaden your insight and lead you down a new life path.

When you try new things, you may discover a new passion. Your first Scuba dive may start a new career in ocean conservation.

Taking a cooking class in Italy may lead you to open a booming new restaurant. The possibilities are endless when you open yourself up to new opportunities.

Do not be afraid to push the boundaries of your comfort zone while on new adventures because you may surprise yourself.

You can plan and plan, but chances are you will encounter at least one hiccup in your plans. For example, your flight may be delayed and your hotel does not have a 24-hour front desk, so no one can let you into your room when you finally arrive.

Or the bus tour you were looking forward to was canceled.

The more you travel and put up with the hiccups, the better you become at problem-solving. This is a life skill that will benefit you throughout your life - not just while traveling.

You may also learn patience. When things go wrong, you need to learn to take a step back, refuse to let the problem ruin the trip, and figure out how to solve the issue.

Remember, the answer to your problem will come more quickly if you keep your mind clear and relaxed.

Patience is another life skill that will have life-long advantages, especially when you are waiting in the security check line, waiting to board the plane, waiting to get off the plane, and then to get through customs. Your trip will be worth the wait!

While traveling you will be communicating with a variety of strangers. This experience can help strengthen your social and communication skills, especially when visiting a country that speaks another language.

By striking up conversations with strangers, you may learn about local secrets or even make some friends.

This is most common while traveling solo, but can also occur while traveling in a group if you let it happen. Make sure to interact with others outside of your group bubble in order to meet new people and make the most of your trip.

Meeting new people may lead to spontaneous new adventures and change your trip for the better.

If you are an introvert, traveling gives you a chance to face your social anxieties and interact with strangers. But fear not, if you are super awkward and embarrass yourself, remember that you will most likely never see that person again.

Experiencing new places with other people will strengthen the bond you have with each other. Even if you bump heads a bit, you will learn how not to step on each others’ toes and discover a new appreciation for your friend, friends, or significant other.

You will also have stories to tell and reminisce for years to come.

If you are traveling solo, you will strengthen the bond you have with yourself and learn much more about yourself - you will be surprised how much you don’t know about yourself until you travel solo.

Bonding with friends, family, or yourself has its own blessings that will keep you close and boost confidence.

When you look back on your life, you will not wish you worked harder at your mediocre desk job.

Instead, you will reminisce on the unforgettable time when you swam with whale sharks in Indonesia, backpacked through Utah’s Mighty Five, and learned to pour the perfect pint of Guinness at the Guinness Factory in Dublin.

You will remember the amazing people you traveled with and met along the way, even if you do not remember the person who sat next to you in class. Having these memories to hold onto can ease the hard times.

When things get rough, think of at least ten experiences or people that you are grateful for.

If you travel often, you may have more than ten memories. Remembering good times will alleviate the stress. These memories will motivate you to make more memories and enjoy your life instead of just work through it.

You are blessed with only one life, so make the most of it and make as many memories as you can!

Traveling encourages you to walk more. So you will be relying on public transportation and your own legs to get you to the sights and activities on your bucket list. Exercise has endless value for the body and mind.

In addition to improving physical health, exercise can reduce depression and anxiety, relieve stress, and increase happiness.

Even if you do not plan on hiking every trail nearby, simply walking in the sunshine (or rain) from the hotel to the beach, museum, or cafe in a new place can have fantastic benefits for a healthy body and mind.

When you travel, you disconnect from your routines and get some distance from daily life, which can boost creativity. Taking these mental breaks gives your mind time to refresh its creative juices.

Also, traveling leads you to see new things - lots of new things. Exposure to new places and experiences broadens your understanding of life and other cultures.

With all that being said, you can now enjoy a real holiday. This is not meant to be a study guide, but rather to span wide your thinking to some creative ideas.

Spread this around and soon everyone will feel relaxed even before venturing out for the holiday season.