In today’s world where everything moves fast, it’s hard to even take a break, much less take a vacation. It’s important to take a long traveling break from the pressures of work, daily tasks, and the responsibilities of the office. It could be a road trip through America’s National Parks or a week on a beautiful tropical island. It doesn’t really matter where; it just needs to be away from home. Sadly, a lot of people today rarely take vacations. And if they do find the time to take a week off and travel, they remain connected to work through the Internet. Unfortunately, this isn’t a good thing for people who have a lot of stress and responsibilities in their lives. Nowadays, there are several reasons why it’s so important for people to take those vacations and get away from the daily lives. Traveling to different destinations and exploring new things can make a big change in peoples’ lives. It can help reshape their mindset and expose them to new cultures and people. People, who don’t travel much, tend to put emphasis on the downsides of travel like spending too much money, gaining weight, and partying too much. However, traveling can actually make people a whole lot healthier. Here are some ways being a traveler can make people live happier and healthier lives. Helps Reduce Stress When people take time off to travel, they can recharge and reduce their levels of stress. Stress can be mentally exhausting with the responsibilities of family, work, and finances. It seems there’s very little time just to relax because the mind is carrying so many concerns and thoughts. In time, it can cause people to burn out. Traveling is the best way for people to remove themselves from things that are emotionally draining and lets them actually escape. It allows them to put aside their daily responsibilities, gather their thoughts, focus on themselves, and relax. After returning home, they’ll feel refreshed and motivated. Restores Creativity People’s creativity suffers when they are stressed from constantly being on the go. And traveling gives people the chance to restore and relax physically and mentally. Then it’s easier to get back in touch with their creativity. Inspiration sets in when looking at the magnificent landscapes, visiting historic sites, cruising down a river, and experiencing different cultures. When returning to work, they find it’s easier to be happy, focused, and have a positive attitude. The creative thoughts will now allow them to contribute their new ideas. It’s a Reward Everyone has a right to spoil themselves by doing something they’ll enjoy. It replaces a pat on the back for doing a good job! By treating themselves with a vacation, they are feeling rewarded. People need to have some fun once in a while and splurge a little on themselves. It gets them out of their work clothes and into “holiday” attire to wear when going to an elegant restaurant. They can enjoy all the [...]

All of us are on a journey of self-discovery. And that journey is lifelong. Each major experience we have adds to self- awareness, and, in so doing, contributes to our growth as a person. As we work through crises, relationships, change, births, deaths, and more, we become better problem solvers, better critical thinkers, more empathetic, and stronger. Travel is one of those experiences that allows for a great deal of personal development, and those who are lucky enough to travel a lot, reap many benefits. Travelers Learn about Themselves if They Travel Alone Being in strange cities and countries all by yourself can be pretty scary at first. Once you have been able to get around in a foreign city, however, you understand that you have the power to accomplish goals on your own. You develop an independence that transfers to other situations you may face in your life. You also have time to get to know yourself, because other distractions – friends and family – are removed. You have time to think about your goals, your values, and what matters most. Travelers Learn That They Can Rely on Others when Necessary You may not be prone to ask others for help in your daily life, but you are missing out on a major benefit you can be to others. People like to be of service; they like to be helpful. When you ask for assistance, they are happy to help. In the process, as well, you learn that it is okay to be a “taker” at times. And as you interact with strangers in these ways, you come to lose the stereotypical attitudes with which you have grown up about certain people. For example, Americans tend to think the French are “stand-offish” and cold. The French often see Americans as loud, push, and rude. Interactions between these individuals break down those stereotypes and allow us to appreciate them as people with the same values, needs, and desires, as we have. Travelers Learn Flexibility and Patience. Traveling has its set of challenges. Flights are delayed luggage is lost, hotel accommodations may be pretty bad. And new experiences may be terrific or not so terrific. You are learning to expect the unexpected and to “roll” with it when it occurs. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all greet the unexpected with calm and, sometimes, a sense of humor? Travelers have Exposure that leads to Awareness and Appreciation of Other Societies. When you travel to foreign countries, or even to faraway places in your own country, you develop an appreciation for the values, the traditions, and the culture of other peoples. You begin to grasp the understanding of the worth of all humans on our planet. Travelers Expand their Consciousness It’s easy to get set in our own environments and our own comforts. Travel, however, exposes us to the struggles and challenges that other societies face. We see firsthand how 90% of the rest of the [...]