Is Traveling Really Worth It? 6 Benefits of Taking a Trip
Written By: Taylor Rao
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For many people, it’s been two years (or more!) since being able to travel the world the way we used to. Prior to the pandemic, we might have taken travel for granted, whether we did it often or assumed it would be available to us whenever, wherever.
But now, as much of the world returns to normalcy and staying in our familiar bubble seems slightly less appealing, the urge to travel is coming back in full force as a way to relax, recharge and experience a much-needed change of scenery through a domestic or international trip.
The one downfall of travel that some individuals see, though, is the significant investment it can take. It’s an investment of two incredibly precious resources –your time and your money. So, is it worth it to endure the expense, the planning, the traveling anxiety, and jitters, leaving your pets and your daily routine behind to venture off to a new place? We say yes, and here are some reasons why.
Travel will take you out of your comfort zone
No matter how great you may have it, daily life can be draining and uninspiring after a while when you are doing the same things all the time, from commuting to work, shopping at your regular stores, or visiting the same restaurants on the weekends.
And what’s crazy is you might not even notice how stuck you are in your own routine until you do something to flip it on its head and force you into trying something new –and that’s what a great trip can do.
Think about your day-to-day environment and imagine a trip where you’re immersed in things that are the total opposite. When you live in a crowded city with lots of stimulation, you’d be surprised at how much perspective you can gain by spending a quiet weekend in the mountains, surrounded by wildlife, nature, and fresh air. If you routinely cook American-style meals at home, research destinations based on their food culture and be adventurous when dining out and experiencing authentic cuisine native to the region or country you’re visiting.
Travel ideas to take you out of your comfort zone: Skydiving, snorkeling, hiking, dance lessons, cooking classes
Provide a reset for yourself or your relationships
When you allow yourself to unwind and remove the stresses from work, school, or household chores, you are given an opportunity to be more present and take inventory of what’s going on in your own life and with your loved ones. Traveling can take the pressure off of your ordinary to-do list and shift the focus to finding enjoyment in having “nothing” to do. Let’s just say if your biggest dilemma of the day is deciding what beach to go to or where to make a dinner reservation, you are living a pretty nice life for a while.
Through a trip and buying, yourself increased free time, you will have more energy to give to listen to your significant other, bond with your children sans distractions, or do some self-reflection. While sure, there will be heightened moments of stress or anxiety while navigating the airport, picking up your rental car, or remembering the front door key at your rental, there are plenty of more quiet moments where you can take it slow and reset.
Places you can go to reset and recharge: Isla Verde, Puerto Rico; Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos Islands, Yosemite, California; Lake Placid, New York; Telluride, Colorado
Learn while exploring
The world has so much history, especially if you are fortunate to experience travel outside of the United States and to other countries like Europe. When you visit a foreign country, not only are you immersed in a brand new culture that will provide so much perspective on how people around the world live, but you can also visit museums, art exhibits, monuments, or places of natural beauty to learn something new or see something from your childhood textbooks in real life.
As you do your research to figure out where you want to go, search online for some of the must-see historical sites and places to go to understand the culture and the story behind the place. Some museums offer free entry, while others provide more in-depth guided tours where you can learn from a passionate, local expert and be able to ask questions and explore with a group. And don’t be afraid to search by your interests –whether that’s history, art, or architecture to name a few.
Most well-known museums: The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), New York City; The Prado, Madrid, Spain; The Vatican Museums, Italy; Le Louvre, Paris, France; The Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.
Boost your creativity
If you consider yourself a more artistic person in the form of drawing, writing, decorating or any other form of self-expression, you usually know it’s time to travel when you feel yourself sliding into a creative funk in your home or through work. When you book a trip, you are instantly giving yourself something to look forward to and plan for, which can get your creative juices flowing to start.
And then, when you arrive at your destination, you can become a student of a new place and draw inspiration from the scenery and landscapes to the language and people, to the food and drink. Bring a journal with you along the way to jot down notes, write reminders of things that inspire you, and spark your sense of creativity again so you can be reminded of them when you return home.
Ways to spark creativity on vacation: Journal while visiting a coffee shop; people-watch on a park bench; visit an art museum; attend a concert or local performance
Check things off your bucket list
When you think about what a bucket list really is, there isn’t much it has to do with spending your money on material things like clothes, cars, expensive jewelry, or high-end furniture. A bucket list is about what you want to do in your lifetime, and setting goals along the way that help you achieve them during your time here on earth.
If one of your bucket list items is to climb the Eiffel Tower, Paris is waiting for you! There is a personal fulfillment that comes with travel, and checking new places off your must-visit list is so much more satisfying than buying a designer pair of shoes. Whether you want to see the running of the bulls, attend a traditional Hawaiian luau, see the Seven Wonders of the World or visit Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, your travel experiences will leave you feeling well-rounded and grateful you achieved your goals and invested your time and money into travel.
Bucket list destinations: Santorini, Greece; Bali, Indonesia; Machu Picchu, Peru; The Maldives; Iceland for The Northern Lights
Gain a New Perspective
When things aren’t going your way at home, it can sometimes be difficult to admit that things could be worse (even though they always could be). But when you travel to other countries or even to parts of America that showcase a completely different way of living, you’ll lay back down in your own bed after a trip and reflect on how lucky you are to have the life you do.
There is so much natural beauty in the world, but there are also places you’ll visit along the way that are technologically behind where we are here in America, and the quality of life is not quite at the standard you might be accustomed to. In between the palm trees and five-star dining in some destinations, you will find populations that struggle but continue to work hard, provide for their families and showcase an incredible hospitality-driven experience for tourists who visit. When you immerse yourself in a different culture and experience a new way of living, you are able to come away from a trip with a fresh perspective and renewed gratitude for what you have.
Things to do: Find a volunteer opportunity in your travel destination; take time to get to know your hotel staff and treat them kindly; stay with a local Airbnb host to learn about the culture and lifestyle
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