Traveling is good for both your body and your mind. Traveling changes you physically and psychologically.
When you leave the comfort and familiarity of life in your home country, personal growth happens. The lessons are sometimes surprising. We become happy we are alive: from the slow and peaceful breakfasts, the long walks, the new experiences, places, people and memories. The earlier you can learn the lessons travel teaches, the better. The skills and experience you gain from traveling abroad can give you life-long personal and professional benefits.
A few minutes in the sun raises our vitamin D levels and improve our mood. Vitamin D is also good for our hearts: with lower chances of heart disease to relieving stress and anxiety.
Here are reasons why traveling is good:
1. You gain confidence
Discomfort is absolutely crucial for personal growth. According to Margie Warrell of Forbes, "those who are willing to take risks, step out of their comfort zone and into the discomfort of uncertainty will be those who will reap the biggest rewards."
Spend enough time on the road and you'll have your share of mental and physical challenges, but these pale in comparison to the challenges at home: starting a business, raising a child, or battling a serious illness. Travel provides the perfect opportunity - in a fun and relatively safe environment - to overcome obstacles and you need to believe in yourself while at it because research indicates that believing in yourself is the most important thing you can do to succeed.
2. Enhance your creativity
When everything seems fresh and new, new stimuli attacks all your senses. You see new vivid colours, you hear a new language, you smell and taste new food, and you are greeted with new challenges.
New research suggests travel can increase your levels of creativity and cause an uptick in your mind's ability to produce positive thoughts. This includes solving problems in new, resourceful ways because of new neural connections.
3. Disconnects you from daily life
How long do you think you can handle this pressure from your daily life before you burst and everything falls apart? Sometimes it is best to take a step back, breathe and regroup. Leave with a bit of preparation, such as informing your boss or hiring a babysitter for your kids.
Travel makes you live in the moment and not ruminate about your daily problems and responsibilities. You focus on enjoying every second you have to explore the unknown. Thus, you discover something totally new.
4. You'll have infinite opportunities to network
Never underestimate the value of networking wherever you go. Making connections abroad can make this big world seem a little smaller. They can provide utmost benefit for you in your working world.
Meet as many people on your travels as you can in your vacation. People are generally very friendly and love to talk about their home and culture. These connections will come handy.
On business trips, demonstrate your value to your company by making new contacts. Do this by meeting 5 people each day to potentially secure business. Don't eat alone and use lunch and dinner as an excuse to meet someone new. Strike up a conversation with a stranger in public places.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
