The Benefits of Travelling

Why do people love to travel?

I have a theory…

I think it’s all about change. So much has been written about the benefits of travelling. But in the end it all boils down to this: most of us come back from a holiday as a different person from when we left. Just a little bit, or a whole lot, depending on our experiences.

It may sound cliché, but personally, travel ‘made a man out of me’. And it’s not unusual for travellers to report often profound life transformations.

My first overseas trip in a gap year between high school and university was full of interesting, useful, challenging, and life-changing experiences. So much so, that on my return five months later, my mum and high school friend who had come to pick me up at the airport didn’t recognise me, and walked right past as I exited customs. It wasn’t only the kilos I’d lost from walking untold kilometres each day to and from hitchhiking points (yep, I left a fat boy and came back slim). It was a total shift in my bearing. The same guy but with a new and improved mind and body. 

So what are some of these so-called benefits of travelling? You could write a book, but 30 countries and many years later, here’s a small list from my own head:

• An increased sense of confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness – (I took a breath, asked for and was gladly given directions in French to the youth hostel, and so arrived just in time before closing)
• Improved social and communication skills – (travelling on an adventure bus trip through some national parks in the western US, you have to get along with everyone as you organise camp and cook dinner)
• Increased appreciation and respect of people and their cultures (and languages) – (The older man who helped put on my head scarf one hot day at the pyramids in Egypt, didn’t ask for bakshish – a tip – and his calm and respectful demeanour rubbed off on me for the rest of my trip)
• Better physical and mental state – (from hiking, snorkelling, relaxing and a large number of beach massages!)

So what’s your list? How has travelling improved your life? Tell us in the comments below…..

In the meantime, check out this cool blog on the topic: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/9-wonderful-benefits-traveling.html

Sampai jumpa lagi! (ID 🇮🇩 “See you later”)