“It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.” – Asian Proverb
Sure, traveling abroad can be stressful—the preparation, the flights, the hotels, the language barriers!—but it often comes with enriching, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It’s exciting to land in a place you’ve never been, especially one you’ve always dreamed of.
But there’s more to going international than the exotic thrill of the unknown. There are many reasons—some even scientifically proven—why traveling abroad is good for one’s overall well-being.
Here’s one for you science geeks: travel can actually enhance neuroplasticity in the brain. Exposure to different activities and various stimuli can help a brain that’s suffered injury, disease, or another type of trauma better repair itself. It goes without saying that travel (especially to new countries) can offer many new experiences to help stimulate your brain.
That said, trauma need not be a prerequisite for expanding your mind. Complete cultural immersion in the tastes, sights, and sounds of another country can spark creativity.
And while you’ll inevitably get frustrated with issues in communication and navigation, it’s these types of situations that will train your brain to more efficiently solve problems through deductive logic, a process that comes in handy in every other area of daily life.
Most of us have a fairly consistent day-to-day routine. We get up in the morning, go to work, eat dinner, and go to bed without much variation. This chain of events can keep us from having interactions with other people and empathy for how they live their lives.
Traveling abroad breaks us out of this pattern and opens us up to other people and possibilities. You’ll gain insight and knowledge about different cultures and their history, language, art, architecture, traditions, and beliefs.
Earth may be a big place, but it’s easy to feel isolated and generate views about people based on various media. But traveling abroad can help you experience and feel a stronger sense of connection.
Traveling abroad is not only important for your mind, but also your physical health. Here is a number of scientifically proven benefits that come with visiting another country:
All of these benefits are linked to one thing: the reduction of stress. Traveling abroad and experiencing other cultures can reintroduce a new sense of joy and self-worth into our lives, an innocence that can’t be found by simply reading a travel book or watching a travel show.
While some people travel abroad to see a new place and escape the demands and predictability of their daily lives, others seek something else entirely. Purposeful travel may involve a significant change in career choice or life path. Some people may give up their usual 9-5 to volunteer, work in the travel industry, learn another language, or immerse themselves in another culture.
Others may choose a more active vacation that involves hiking, bicycling, or backpacking. There are many yoga, wellness, and creative retreats available around the world that can bring inspiration through writing, painting, sculpture, movement, or music.
Some travelers may decide to visit just one area for an extended period of time. This allows them to get to know the people, food, and cultural offerings at a slower pace. For these travelers, going abroad is about overcoming fears and learning how to appreciate their own lives by seeing how other people live and work.
Of course, traveling abroad offers different things and experiences to us all. But whatever you hope to find in your travels, your life will surely be enriched in many ways—and your mind and body will be thanking you, too.
Doug McNamee is a Freelance Content Writer, Travel Writer, and Poet. He has written articles about internet start-ups, technology such as 3D printing and Drones, and general road bicycling articles. Mr. McNamee is also a poet and has published in many literary journals. He’s currently working on a new book.
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