Why Travel is Important: 5 Reasons to Travel More in 2021
Why Traveling is Important: 5 Reasons to Travel More This Year!
I may be biased, but I strongly believe that traveling is good for the soul and is something everyone should make time to do.
Some of my favorite life experiences have come from my travels. Especially my trip to Yosemite. That trip was when I realized how much I enjoy hiking and being outdoors.
Now I prioritize traveling to new places to unwind, relax, and explore.
With a fresh new year, now is the perfect time to make a resolution to travel more in 2020!
Stay tuned for why travel is important and for 5 reasons you should travel more this year!
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#1- Travel Can Make You More Active
What better way to explore a new place than to get out and walk around?
Whether it’s a walk around a city or hiking a trail, you will learn and see more than you would have from just driving.
There are so many beautiful things I would not have experienced had I not hiked to them (for instance: Delicate Arch and Sky Pond).
Plus, being active releases endorphins, which make you feel better.
So lace up those hiking boots and hit the trail!
(Que a gif from one of my favorite movies, Legally Blonde)
#2– Travel Helps Relieve Stress
Travel More, Worry Less
I don’t know about you, but here in America life seems to be getting more and more stressful every year.
Most people agree that chronic stress is unhealthy, but what can we do about it?
Vacationing allows you to get away from some chronic stressors and allows time for restoration of the body and mind.
In a very eye-opening report, “only 17 percent of those with high stress say that they are doing an excellent or very good job of managing their stress.”
That same report states that the #1 way Americans say they handle stress is by exercising or walking. Which circles back to our first point!
#3- You Are Happier Even Before You Travel
Sometimes preparing for a vacation can be stressful, but at the same time just knowing that you will soon be on vacation can boost your mood.
According to a UK study, people who anticipate an upcoming vacation report being happier in life as a whole compared to those who do not have a vacation coming up.
Another article I stumbled across while doing research for this post found that people get more happiness from spending money on experiences versus spending money on material things.
#4- Travel Helps Build Relationships
With Your Partner
Traveling with your romantic partner can help strengthen your relationship with each other.
The U.S. Travel Association has done research on this topic and goes into more detail about the benefits of traveling with your significant other.
With Others
Not only can travel help your relationship with your significant other but with other people as well.
Traveling with Others:
Experiencing things with others can help strengthen the friendship bond. Whoever you are traveling with, you will be spending more time with them than usual. You can learn more about them & become closer.
Traveling Alone:
With solo travel becoming more and more popular, you can find yourself talking to people you normally wouldn’t have. Meeting people while traveling lets you learn more about the local culture. And you may even make some friends!
With Yourself
MANY people have said they learned a lot about themselves just from traveling, especially traveling alone.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of blog posts claiming that solo travel is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Granted everybody is different, but you may just learn a little about yourself during the process of traveling!
#5- Travel Not Only Helps You But Helps Others
Travel is important for jobs.
Many jobs are supported by travel. From National Park Ranger to airport workers, traveling has helped create and maintain jobs for people around the world.
Travel supported over 15 MILLION jobs in America in 2018.
On average, people spend over 80% of their vacation money on transportation, lodging, and food. That money helps people like bus drivers, Uber/Lyft drivers, waiters, hotel staff, and many more maintain their job.
And with it being 2020, travel planning is easier than ever.
You have access to numerous travel blogs (like this one!!) to give you ideas, money-saving hotel websites such as Booking.com, and coupons for activities through sites like Groupon.
I hope you enjoyed learning a little about how travel can benefit you mentally and physically, as well as helping other people. I also hope this post gave you some reasons to travel more this year! Where are you traveling to this year? Let me know in the comments!
