American author, businessman, and humorist Mark Twain once said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” I can attest to this quote. I have yet to encounter a well-traveled person whom I can characterize as biased, racist, and intolerant.
From a young age, I have always been fascinated by the world. Looking at the powdery-white landscapes of Antarctica, the pristine Mediterranean beaches, and bustling cities in Asia has always been my favorite pastime as a kid.
Now, despite having been to fifteen different countries, I still desire to see more. To experience more. To know more. Why? I don’t know. I can give you basic answers such as “I love to see the world” or “different cultures interest me”, but I can’t really give you an exact reason for my wanderlust.
I can, however, tell you that traveling has transformed me. Today, with the help of the online travel agency JustFly (check out the JustFly reviews here!), let me tell you how travel can change you into being a better person.
1. Travel will broaden your horizons
Traveling the world shows you that you are free. It breaks your metaphorical chains and shows you that you can definitely do more. Your once narrow perspective will expand significantly as you gain first-hand experience of the world outside of your little hometown.
I remember when I first set foot in Beijing, China. I have read all about it before even planning the trip, but being there; standing amongst the crowded street and being able to interact with the locals, I felt small. In a good way.
2. Comfort is not everything
One thing I learned after years of traveling is that you have to stay away from the main tourist spots. Sure, hanging out at a resort with a sherbet is a great way to start a vacation, but keep in mind that the hidden gems are hidden for a reason.
To reach the best travel spots, you need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. You will have to climb, trek, commute, and haggle your way before you reach these hidden gems.
3. Travel supercharges your creativity
Aldous Huxley, Ernest Hemingway, and the aforementioned Mark Twain are only three of the world’s most renowned writers whose works have been greatly inspired by traveling.
Apparently, traveling, especially abroad, pumps up your brain and helps keep the creative juices flowing. The new sounds, tastes, smells, and experiences that we gain have been proven to improve neuroplasticity — otherwise known as the ability of our brain to adapt through new synapses.
So if you feel that you no longer have the creative spark that you once had, it could be a sign that you have remained stagnant for too long.
4. You become healthier
In case the joys and thrills of traveling isn’t good enough of a reason to partake on the activity, then think about your health. Everyone knows that too much stress can take a heavy toll on our overall wellbeing. It weakens the heart, causes chronic headaches, and reduces your sex drive, among others. So how do you reduce it?
By traveling! Yep. By taking a vacation and going to new places, your muscles can release all the pent up tension, you receive more sunlight and fresh air, and your physical activity rises.
5. Travel makes you happier
Taking into account all the reasons written above, it’s no longer a mystery why thousands of people are willing to take time off of work just to travel. Surprisingly, though, people who are anticipating a trip have experienced heightened levels of happiness weeks or even months before their planned vacation. It seems that waiting for that well-deserved trip already has the ability to cheer people up.
So if you’ve been having the blues lately, go ahead and book a flight with JustFly. I can assure you that your mood will certainly boost up.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page,” said Saint Augustine. So The next time you feel stuck, consider traveling. It certainly worked for me!