Some people are born with the gypsy gene, never spending too long in the one place and spending their lives looking for new places and experiences. Others spend all year planning a grand annual family holiday and some just like to enjoy quick weekend getaways or an extra few days here and there exploring somewhere new tacked onto the end of a business trip. Regardless of your travel style, there are so many reasons to go somewhere new and experience somewhere different. Here are just 10 reasons why you need to travel more.
1. No Work
This one almost goes without saying…almost. You know what they say about all work and no play - don't end up a dull bore. Unplug, forget about your emails and let someone else take care of your responsibilities for a while. Some of your best ideas can come when you're not so focussed on your work, so let it go and immerse yourself in the incredible new experiences that surround you when you travel.
2. Play Time
Further to the above point, no one can work hard and be serious all the time. You need to relax and blow off a little steam from time to time and travelling is the perfect way to do this. We don't have enough play in our lives, so channel your inner child as you see the world and do something you haven't done since you were a kid. Ride a carousel or eat ice cream for breakfast, anything that makes you forget you're an adult for just a moment.
3. Rest & Restore
Your health is important, but it's not just diet and exercise that contributes to a healthy body and mind. Staying relaxed can really help to restore your energy levels and motivation, however this isn't always easy to do with the stresses of everyday life. Step away from the stress and experience something new that will take your mind off all the problems it's been turning over. Not only are you more likely to come up with a solution when you stop trying so hard, you'll actually feel your body relax and you'll be ready to tackle life head on when you return.
4. Quality Time
There are so many things that demand our time these days and it can be easy to let your relationships with friends and family slip. Of course they forgive you, but there's nothing like some quality time spent catching up and reconnecting to really restore and revive those relationships. Travelling together not only allows you to share some fun new experiences together, it also helps you to create special memories to last a lifetime.
5. Find Yourself
Sometimes the easiest way to find yourself is to get lost. There's nothing like the stimulation of new surroundings and experiences to help you see things in a new light. Travelling offers an insight into your own true self and can help you to see things in a new way. You might be inspired to renew a past hobby or passion or it may be as simple as an old, forgotten goal coming back into focus but whatever it is, you'll have a new fire for it once you travel.
6. Embrace Nature
It's far too easy to spend too much time indoors these days and unless you actively seek it, embracing nature in your day to day life can prove to be a challenge. Travel has the delightful side effect of forcing you outside into the fresh air. It doesn't mean you need to climb a mountain or trek the jungle, even just in small ways travelling allows you to enjoy the calming and restorative qualities of nature.
7. Learn Something
It's always fun try to new things, especially when you're somewhere new and possibly already out of your comfort zone. Whether its dance lessons, cooking school or something a little more adventurous like ziplining, your mental and physical capacities are expanded. The act of travelling itself presents you with a whole set of new challenges and enables you to grow your confidence and skill set.
8. Thinking Time
While it's great to get outside and learn new skills, it's also important that you allow time to 'do nothing' while on holiday. Whether that means a long nap, laying back working on your tan, dropping a line in and parking yourself in a comfy chair or watching the sun come up from the top of a mountain, giving yourself time for your mind to wander lets you dream and generate new ideas from what appear to be on the surface, simply random thoughts.
9. Fresh Perspective
We're so used to our own way of life, it's easy to get caught up in focussing on the things that concern you the most. However getting out into the world and seeing how other people live often puts things into perspective fairly quickly. Immersing yourself in the local culture can inspire you to cut back and live more simply or to just be grateful on a daily basis, but soon you'll notice that your problems don't seem like such a big deal anymore.
10. Be More Interesting
Travel guarantees you some funny, outrageous and even daring stories to share at the next BBQ or party. While you don't have to be the person who's seen and done it all, some of the new and more interesting experiences you've had while abroad will certainly make you a more interesting person. Whether it's because of the story you have to tell or the new skills and fresh perspective it's given you, travel is something that gives back in so many ways.
Your holiday doesn't need to be long or extravagant. Simply exploring a new town or spending an afternoon at the beach can still give you some, if not all, the benefits of travel. However, for maximum impact, plan time to travel and make it happen. You'll be surprised how good it can make you feel and you'll come back feeling like a new person. For added benefit, travel often.
