5 Reasons You Should Travel

Yes, even during COVID-19

Traveling is a way to discover the world outside of the borders of your home country. Before the pandemic, going anywhere in the world was a straightforward process. Save — buy a ticket — book accommodations — visa — and go.

Now, traveling means shuffling multiple cards, visas, and spending hundreds of dollars on tests to enter a foreign country and return to your home country.

Let me preface this.

Yes — We are in a global pandemic.

Yes — Some countries aren’t open.

Yes — Traveling is a privilege.

Yes — If you are going to travel, do it responsibly and follow the rules.

Now that we got that out of the way — think of this:

“We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.”

— Unknown

International and domestic travel help you get out of your day-to-day environment. It gives you respite from the struggles of daily life, nagging bosses, and intense stress many people are feeling due to the pandemic. It challenges you to test your limits as we encounter different languages, cultural norms, and lifestyles.

Remember this:

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. — Saint Augustine.

Below are a few reasons why you should stop delaying and book that ticket.

1. Traveling challenges you

Voyaging is not just about sitting on the beach drinking Mai-Thais — even though that sounds nice. It teaches you resilience. It teaches you to trust your intuition. It pushes you out of your comfort zone to try new food, meet new people, and learn about cultural differences.

Yes — that could mean eating dessert cheese in a shack in the middle of the Colombian jungle (personal experience) or learning the Italian bus system. In these anxiety-provoking moments, you find resilience and the thrill to live.

2. Traveling is scientifically proven to have physical and mental health benefits

Don’t take my word for it. Look at the science behind traveling. There are mental and physical benefits of traveling like lowering the risk of heart disease, lowering stress, and even boosting physical activity. Maybe this trip is exactly what your health needs to live a more vibrant and fulfilled life.

Staying in the same place for too long can create stagnation and a cycle of routines. Breaking out of this cycle helps you think clearer and step out of various ways you may be numbing yourself.

3. Your first-world problems melt away

Remember the last time you were complaining about your computer freezing or someone forgetting to put a banana on your acai bowl? (the nerve!!) Many day-to-day problems melt away when you travel.

You may find that the things you stress about often don't even exist in other countries. This humbling experience can switch your perspective on a problem you were mulling over or make you realize the problem you thought you had doesn't exist.

4. Traveling boosts your creativity

Have you ever been stuck on something? Can’t make a decision? Writer's block? Traveling helps boost creativity by taking your mind out of the mundane of life. The change in scenery boosts imagination and could even spark your inspiration.

5. The only thing that is certain in life is death

Ok — hear me out. This is not to kill your buzz but it is one absolute we know as humans. Each day we move closer to our earth’s contract ending and we don’t know when, where, or the date that our soul will decide to leave this body. Knowing this, every moment of every day matters so much more.

Do you want to live your life regretting never taking that trip? No — you want to look back and say “Wow I lived!”

Bon voyage

In 2022, traveling is complicated as we face the ever-evolving reality of the pandemic. However, it is possible to travel (responsibly and respectfully) and feed your soul.

Remember:

In the end… We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make. ― Lewis Carroll

Safe travels. Get going!

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