What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when I say ‘travel’ Vacation? Meeting new people? Or maybe, Instagrammable sunsets or beach? While traveling can be exciting and exhilarating, it’s so much more than you think.
Traveling is good for your physical well-being, but a significant amount of scientific research suggests that exploring a new place can do wonders for your mental and emotional health as well.
Here are 5 good reasons why you should travel.
- It’s a great stress reliever. The stress of work and daily demands can distract us from what we find to be actually meaningful and interesting. Taking a break from the daily hustle and bustle is essential for your mind to relax, recharge and rejuvenate.
- It helps you reinvent yourself. A long stretch of road can teach you more about yourself than a hundred years of quiet, Patrick Rothfuss said. Exploring new places can also give you a fresh start if you’re recovering from a major transition in your life. You will also learn to broaden your perspective, making you more aware and open to new things.
- It boosts happiness and satisfaction. Traveling gives you the opportunity to step away from the daily grind. The new events and experiences help rewire your brain, boosting your mood and self-confidence. According to a study, the anticipation of a trip can increase your happiness substantially, even more than the anticipation of acquiring something tangible, like a new car.
- It makes you mentally resilient. Going and living somewhere where you feel excited and intimidated at the same time can help you toughen up mentally and emotionally. Also, facing difficulties in an unfamiliar environment, among new people, forces you to learn and adapt to a life that’s out of your comfort zone. This makes you more flexible, patient and emotionally strong. It can also help you deal with “larger issues in life with more grace and patience. The more challenges you’re faced with, the better you’ll get at overcoming them, eventually becoming more resilient, mentally and emotionally.
- It enhances Creativity. Visiting a foreign place and immersing yourself in their local environment increases your cognitive flexibility. It also enhances “depth and integrative Ness of thought, consequently giving a boost to your creativity. Extended traveling also improves your productivity, problem solving skills and can even increases your chances of getting promoted at work!
Now that you’ve finished reading about all the wonderful things travel does to your brain, it’s time to pack your bags, let’s go!