It's not new that travel is good for physical fitness, but what's even more enjoyable, according to psychologists' research, is that studying new places is very beneficial for mental and emotional health. In other words, traveling makes us happier.
And here are nine reasons why:
1. WE BECOME MORE CONFIDENT IN OURSELVES
A business trip to New York, a family vacation in Morocco or a bold decision to give up (and sell) everything and live on wheels for months - we leave our usual comfort zone when we go on a long journey. In addition, even a very detailed plan does not cancel the surprises that happen all the time. When we immerse ourselves in a different culture and way of life, we learn to solve problems in an unfamiliar situation, which makes us more flexible, patient and emotionally strong, resulting in increased self-esteem.
2. MAKING FRIENDS
Agree that it's easier to make new friends on the road than it is to travel along the usual route of work - home. A roommate on a plane to London can be your husband, a companion on a tour of Macchu Picchu - the future employer, and a nice girl with whom you ordered the same cocktails at a Chicago bar - a friend for life. All these are real stories that can happen to you.
3. WE GET POSITIVE EMOTIONS
Sincere friendliness does not depend on the level of well-being and easily causes mutual feeling - seeing broad smiles on the faces of the Lao or Filipino villagers, it is impossible not to smile back. It is wonderful if this habit becomes a true companion - the world deserves to see a positive epidemic spread.
4. 4. WE REAPPRECIATE THOSE WHO ARE SEPARATED FROM US
When we leave our familiar surroundings and loved ones for a long time or less, we learn to appreciate them more. No one will listen to adventure stories in distant countries with such attention as friends and relatives, ready to tolerate the enthusiastic monologues about the wonders of the planet out of love for us. And then, the amazing moment of meeting after separation always gives special emotions.
5. WHYMAN NOVOME
No matter what we do in our travels, it fills life with experience and knowledge, whether it's Taiwanese cuisine, Spanish lessons in Colombia, diving practice in the Maldives or yoga in Goa. Brains work harder, adrenaline bursting in our blood, making us happier every day - according to psychologists, this is a natural process when we learn what we find pleasant.
Before you leave your homeland for the first time, you live thinking that this is the case everywhere, and then you realize that there are a lot of different people, cultures, mentalities around you. For a successful journey, it is important to switch to the open mind mode: to look at the world with your eyes wide open, to accept the customs of other countries, to try everything that seems interesting, without trying to adapt to the surrounding reality. This way, we get a unique experience that seems to renew us and, of course, makes us happier.
6. WE HAVE A REST FROM ONLINE ADDICTION
This chance isn't used by everyone, but there are still some stunningly beautiful places on the planet where wai-fi and mobile communication don't get to. Travel without network access is good because it allows you to enjoy the moment "here and now", forgetting about annoying messages and distracting likes. Try it - it's great sobering and helps to listen to your true feelings and desires.
7. ENJOY THE TIME FOR OURSELVES
Although this item is linked to the previous one, you do not need to disconnect from communication to restore internal harmony. Journeys give you the opportunity to restore balance, dispel the stress of the wind, get sunshine, find time to be alone with yourself - even if it's a tour in a large company. For lovers it is a good chance to test the relationship for durability or a real "fairy tale of wanderings", full of romance and discovery.
8. WE GET IMPRESSIONS FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES
We bring a lot of impressions from our travels, which remain forever in our memories, social networking sites, videos and photos.
In every journey it is felt that the world is bigger, better and more diverse than it seemed a second ago. It turns out that you can take your own hands from one continent to another. It's an unrealistic feeling when you walk from European Spain to African Morocco via Gibraltar. And you can just look at the sea. And this is happiness!
9. RAISE THE MOOD WITH MEMORIES
Most traveling enthusiasts plan their next trips continuously, but even they are happy to remember the pleasant moments they have already made. In fact, these are the thoughts that come back on the road for new impressions.
Travel is an incredible opportunity to learn more about the world, people and life. When fragments form a single picture, when somewhere on the edge of the earth you see details that rhyme with something familiar to you, it's an exciting feeling. It's a great pleasure to disassemble the photos taken during your travels. And the happiest thing is to go back to where you enjoyed it.