This is 2022 and I am writing this article considering the pandemic situation that has disrupted the lives of people all over the world. The condition now has much more improved than it was last year and in 2020. COVID 19 has been a nightmare for all of us and we surely learned many things from it. We should really be grateful for the things we have and the people that are with us at the moment.
The one thing I am here to discuss is traveling. I know, travel start-ups were almost knocked down during the pandemic. But the good thing is that people realized how important it is to travel, to get out, to explore new things, and to lose the mundane identity of work-life and range over different aspects that make you, you. Leaving your laptop home, all the work files kept aside, you enjoying yourself on a beach probably, sipping lemonade, and having the time of your life. Does it not paint a picture!
Even thinking about going somewhere gives you a sweet sense of relaxation, how much would the actual trip please you! I can ramble on and on about what is traveling and how it helps you. But, not to make you bored, I’ve listed down some of the boons of traveling that help you advance your mental health and improve your overall well-being.
A break from the daily grind –
It’s been months that you’ve been working continuously, without any break. Even a small glance at your work files makes you want to quit your job.
Travel is the cure!
Travel helps to break the continuous ongoing patterns of monotonous life. You meet new people, experience their vivid culture, and relish scenic landscapes. You disconnect in order to recharge.
Reduces anxiety and relieves stress –
The researchers found that even just one short-term vacation (3 days in length) independent of the mode, has large, positive, and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being. Furthermore, the beneficial effects last quite a while after you return home. The effects can still be detected at 30 days (recovery) and 45 days (well-being and strain) post-vacation. Just make sure the way you travel doesn’t add up to your stress level and you are all good to go.
Exposing others to new things –
When you meet someone new, whether it’s in your town or halfway through the globe, they are also meeting you. Just as you learn about their culture, cuisine, customs, and traditions, they too, absorb stuff about you. You represent your place wherever you go. Also, when you return from your reviving tour, you have so much to talk about and your friends have so much to hear about. It’s not only just you who get to experience new things, but your peers and family members also get a gist of it.
Diversifies your knowledge –
Traveling to different parts of the world definitely heightens your cognitive abilities. Here’s how – When you travel to different places, you learn their language. You definitely don’t become a fluent speaker. But you surely do pick up a word or two. You understand their culture, their customs, and traditions and try to blend in. You learn how to bargain with the local traders. You learn to find your own way around. You learn what to do when lost in an unknown city. If it’s a different country, you study their currency. You try different dishes from their cuisine. All these things lead to the development of the creative side of the brain, forming more neural connections leading to advancements in the brain. In simple words, more wirings are established between the parts of the brain. So next time anyone asks why you travel a lot, just tell them that it’s for your brain’s wiring!
Traveling is much more than just packing the bags, journeying through the stations, and reaching the destination. As truly said by Hans Andersen, “To travel the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live”, traveling is a serene experience one should take in order to make every second count and feel alive in every moment.
