We’re always being told that traveling is good for us. We always see the commercials for travel sites and unique resorts or cruises. But it’s just too easy to find a reason to keep us from packing our bags!  But whether you’re heading across the globe or just the next town over, there are legitimate benefits to taking that vacation!

Traveling Gets You Away From Your Daily Stress

Every day, we do so many repetitive activities that sometimes, it seems like we can do it all with our eyes closed. No one truly wants to live on auto-pilot, do they? But all of the stresses of life start to build up and sooner or later. You begin to feel as though the pressure of it all is going to cause you to burst. 

Travel is one of the best ways to take a deep breath, take a step back, and just set the stress down for just a small bit. As long as the trip isn’t causing you stress in another way, financial or otherwise, it could be just the break you need to clear your mind a while and come back to your everyday life with fresh eyes.

Broaden Your Mental Horizons

Did you know that traveling, especially traveling abroad, can make you smarter? Not only can you learn words in an unfamiliar language, but you can also begin to experience the rich and beautiful history and local culture of a location.  And don’t forget the food! There are so many variations on popular foods in different areas. There are even regional variations in different cities! Your next favorite food may be in a place you’ve yet to discover!

Traveling Improves Your Health

You know that traveling can help to minimize your everyday stress for a while. But did you know that it can help your mental and physical health? It’s been said that you’re less likely to suffer from depression and seasonal affective disorder if you travel more than once a year. More than that, studies have shown that traveling promotes physical activity, which lowers blood pressure,and reduces the risk of heart disease or stroke.  Many people are in some degree of job that leaves them at a desk in an office all day. Something as simple as a quick walking trip can make you feel better.

Traveling Makes You More Creative and Interesting

Creativity can be inspired by many things. But traveling can be a wonderful way to inspire your creativity. The more a person immerses themselves into the culture they’re surrounded by, the more likely it is that they will be become influenced by that culture. Don’t be surprised to find yourself become more creatively inspired after going on a trip.

Additionally, traveling can simply make you more interesting! We don’t always realize it, but when we share a story about our travels, people who are more adapted to their life as it is regularly will be able to travel vicariously through you. And may be inspired to travel themselves!

Expand Your Social Network – Your REAL One!

Social media wasn’t always the big technological wonder it is today. Before you could communicate with a mouse click, social networks were actually physical face-to-face connections. In this ever-changing and increasingly technological world, traveling and meeting people abroad is one of the smartest and one of the most rewarding things you can do. Building long-lasting relationships with people who may very well be your friends for life.

Traveling Develops Lifetime Memories

It may seem silly, but most of the reasons people take a vacation is to develop memories with their friends or family. Ask your family about the last vacation or trip they’ve taken. You’re likely to discover that everyone has memories of that trip. Sometimes they all have one they experienced together, others may have individual memories of their encounters. Traveling, like many things, can leave its mark on your heart. One that will linger behind for a long time to come.

Get Homesick!

Do you ever sit in a room in your house and just feel bored? You’re tired and you need a change of scenery.  Sometimes, it’s really just that simple. When you’re facing the same things every day, sometimes just a brief step away is enough to make you truly appreciate what you already have and may be taking for granted.