It is undeniable that many enjoy a good vacation, especially if it involves traveling. The ability to stand in a great unknown and explore its surroundings is a remarkable treasure. It is also a fact that the joy of an excursion can be done in a very cheap manner, making the topic even more relatable. However, many seem to struggle with the realization that traveling is not a one-time thing that’s over once you return home. The places you go and the things you see have the ability to stay with you for a lifetime. Three main benefits prove this: the ability to reinvent oneself, increased mental and physical health, as well as overall enjoyment of life.
The ability to reinvent oneself may sound too complicated and not a true factor in traveling. How would you reinvent yourself based on a trip you took for a week? The answer is through the many experiences you had while on the trip. From experiencing a new culture to figuring out where the hiking path leads, gaining new experiences and discovering new techniques is a very important step in reinventing who you are as a person. After all, it’s not the Golden Gate Bridge or the Yosemite waterfalls that change your outlook on life, it ends up being what you get out of the positive moments. Experiences through traveling can transform how you see and think of the world, unintentionally allowing you to gain new perspectives and re-evaluate your misconceptions.
We can all agree on the fact that increased mental stability and strong physical health are important traits to carry. The Global Commission on Aging, partnered with the U.S. Travel Association, are researching the effects of taking a travel vacation on our mental and physical health so we can further this goal. Studies show that those who go on trips at least once a year prove to be less tense, tired, and depressed from their daily lives. Those who travel also feel more confident in their physical health, as vacationing elsewhere appears to bring out a therapeutic effect. This is compared to those who take a vacation once every six years, who tend to have increased levels of anxiety, stress, and tiredness from work and home. These are long-term results that can both boost your productivity and make you a happier person overall.
The final benefit to traveling is one of the more simple concepts to grasp but is equally as important. Enjoyment of life may seem rather obvious, as we all tend to enjoy ourselves while on vacation, whether it be in the Bahamas or camping in a forest. However, as writer and diplomat Lu Ping put it, “My eyes are refreshed and my spirit renewed by the scenery of places” (So). That is, it is not in human nature to enjoy life in that moment and then head back into a misery from our daily lives. We are rejuvenated into a sense of happiness from our trip, gaining new perspectives and renewing our spirit. This happiness stays with us, as we look forward to telling others of our experiences and look back at the many great memories.
Therefore, traveling can provide a new level of meaning that many can benefit from. The great joy of traveling falls not on the places you go, but the experiences you uncover. Though taking a vacation away from home is meant to be an in-the-moment ordeal, allowing new experiences will allow you to grow as a person and achieve a new outlook on life. As proven before, this outlook can transform your life at work and home for years to come. The next time you are having a rough week at work, remember that taking an easy vacation, whether long or short, will create a lasting impact on your personal growth, health, and overall happiness.
Kester, Jennifer. “Why Traveling Is Good For Your Health.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 7 Aug. 2018.
Alton, Larry. “5 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Traveling Abroad.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 19 May 2017.
So, Winnie. “Travel Makes Us Happy: Here's Why.” CNN, Cable News Network, 12 July 2017.