Travelling is beneficial for us all. Not only can it broaden the mind, as the saying goes, but it can also make you a happier person. How can an act of taking a plane or a train to a different location have such power? Well, because of these 11 reasons:
1. CHANGES THINGS AROUND
Although you might find the ‘same old, same old’ comfortable and safe, it can be bad for your happiness to always have things exactly the same around you. Changes can have a positive effect on the mind, not least because you might feel happier with the safe surroundings after your trip once more.
2. RELAXES THE MIND AND BODY
Happiness can be hard when a tower of laundry or a giant to-do-list is staring at you. But when you travel, you can relax and forget about the bad or stressful things. Having someone to serve you breakfast or give you a massage? Well, if that doesn’t make you happy, nothing will.
3. PROVIDES PERSPECTIVE
Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate what you have around you. But if you travel away from your friends and family or a trusted Internet connection, you might realize that you have hit the jackpot in life. Travelling can make you happier because it gives you perspective on the everyday life you live in and show you the people that matter to you the most.
4. CUTS YOU AWAY FROM THE ONLINE WORLD
While traveling doesn’t automatically mean you aren’t connected to the Internet, it can give an excuse for doing so. We spend way too much time on social media sites likes Instagram and Twitter, which means we aren’t focusing on the world around us. When you travel, connecting with the online world might be a bit harder. Even when you could potentially access social media, you should just tell your friends you are traveling and thus taking a break. It’s surprisingly refreshing and can help you feel more focused on the real-world things around you.
5. GIVES YOU TONS OF NEW FRIENDS
We, humans, are social animals. But making friends isn’t always easy and meeting new people can be a struggle. But when you are traveling, all these changes. You can meet new people as you take tours and stay in hotels and holiday resorts. You might even get to know exciting people on the train or plane.
6. EDUCATES YOU ON NEW THINGS
Knowledge is power. Learning about new cultures and their practices can be fun. When you travel, you don’t just open yourself to new experiences, you also gain knowledge. It can make life a lot easier because you realize there are different ways of doing things.
7. GIVES US SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Travel generally requires a bit of planning, which gives you something to focus on and to look forward to. Even when you feel stressed or sad, you can find happiness in thinking about the upcoming trip. Just planning for a holiday can help you feel happier.
8. MAKES YOU MORE INTERESTING
You can give yourself plenty of new experiences through traveling, which is great for making you more interesting. If you find it hard to keep up a conversation or your friends find you a bore at times, go on a trip and come back with exciting stories and experiences.
9. BOOSTS YOUR CONFIDENCE
Travelling can help you build up self-confidence, which in turn can make you happier. When you are out there, experiencing the world on your own, you need to be able to get through tricky situations and get used to new experiences. Having to do this will boost your confidence – you notice that you can actually do it.
10. PROVIDES YOU WITH BETTER HEALTH
If your body is doing well, your mind is happier as well. Traveling is a great way to give your health a boost – you might be more active or you’ll spend more time in the sunlight, getting more Vitamin D. Even fresh air can be better for someone who spends most of his or her time indoors in a city environment.
11. THE EFFECTS STAY WITH YOU FOR A LONG-TIME
The above boosts to mood are not just a short-term burst of happiness. You don’t just stay happy while you are away for the week, you’ll stay happier for months! The energy you get from relaxing for a week and the new friends and memories you make will keep you smiling even after you return to your chores.
Travelling isn’t even as difficult or as costly as you might think. You can start by checking out travel destinations and options in your home country. Take guided tours or holidays if you’ve never been abroad before to make the trip hassle-free.
