Mental and Physical Benefits of Traveling. Image Source: Upper Hand Chiropractic

Mental and Physical Benefits of Traveling

Medication, a good night’s sleep, food; you know all these things are good for you. A vital addition to that list is traveling, which offers a host of health benefits to your mind, body, and soul. For those who love to travel, the days we spend exploring is just about as meaningful and fulfilling as they come.

Traveling is a time to detach from the daily hassles and stress of work, experience the way other cultures live, try new flavors. Anyone who has traveled outside his or her comfort zone can confirm to the excitement that comes from being in a new environment.

Traveling can be fun but it can also be a bit of a nightmare. But here’s the good news: Even the most stressful and outwardly unpleasant travel is actually great for both your body and your soul. Travel is not only exciting; it also offers the following five benefits.

Enhances Creativity

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found a strong link between creativity and travelers’ engagements into cultures different from their own. According to the study, the better you are at engaging and adapting to new cultures, the more creative and professionally successful you will be.

The brain’s neural pathways are influenced by environment and experience which leads experts to believe that travel can trigger synapses in the brain and enhance creativity.

In order to actually enhance creativity, the travelers stress the importance of submerging themselves in new cultures, rather than simply changing your physical location.

Relieves Stress and Lifts Mental Health

Traveling can lower levels of depression and improve psychological functioning. According to a study done at the University of Kansas, even while planning a trip you can experience a boost in happiness. Having something to look forward to, even if it’s two-day trip, can feel rewarding.

According to a survey, 89% of travelers found that they could let go of stress and just relax after only a day or two into their trip. Pulling yourself out of your daily routines and into new surroundings resets both your mind and body, resulting in significant stress relief.

Travelers’ likely experience fewer hassles and more satisfaction with their overall mood and stance after returning from a trip compared to non-travelers.

You Learn New Languages

There are many online language learning courses and physical classes that can teach you how to speak another language. The best formal language instruction is no match for the education you receive while traveling to other countries. Ordering food at restaurants, engaging yourself in conversation with the locals; surely helps you to learn few words, right?

Development of Compassion

The world’s problem today is basic lack of empathy. In order to act selflessly or help people who are not friends or family, it helps to understand a bit about the struggles of ‘others’. When you are outside of your comfort zone in a different nation, you may have to look to others for guidance, which can create a sense of connectedness to the locals.

Only when you fully immerse yourself in another culture can you begin to truly empathize with other humans. Building new connections and strengthening the relationships can be fun and brings you happiness.

Makes You Healthier

Although the science is still a bit unclear, it’s been found that traveling to different countries actually makes you healthier, especially when it comes to your heart and your brain. In fact, The Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies have released research that shows travel offers the same sort of physical and cognitive benefits as crossword puzzles or museum visits. The study showcased that women who vacationed only every six years or less had a significantly higher risk of developing a heart attack or coronary death compared with women who vacationed at least twice a year.

The findings also showed that men who did not take an annual vacation were shown to have a 20% higher risk of death and about a 30% greater risk of death from heart disease.

Pick a destination! Image Source: Curiosity

Pick a destination! Image Source: Curiosity

While traveling you create new situations and build new connections, which improves your mental health incredibly. The new creativeness will also boost your confidence. You know that you can deal with anything that life throws at you, so are willing to take on more risks. This can also help your overall life, rather than just your health.

So, where will you travel first? Ditch the easy excuses, grab a map, pick a destination you’ve always wanted to explore, and book the ticket.

Do you want to share some more about traveling? Let us know in the comments section below.