35 Reasons To Start Traveling Right Now

After years of traveling, I am kicking myself for the years I wasted not traveling. So here are 35 reasons you should get inspired and start traveling today!  

1) It breaks up routine.

One of the biggest reasons I travel is because I detest the stifling feeling of routine. Travel helps me mix it up, and keeps life interesting. Routine isn’t all bad, as it can keep us organized and lend structure to our lives. Gone too far however, routine can lure us into controlled, repetitive patterns of living on autopilot, without truly engaging with the wonder of life. Eat, sleep, take the kids to school, work, pay bills, repeat? There is so much more to life.

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It is lethal.”

Paulo Coehlo

2) It can improve your mental health.

To put it simply, Americans are not okay. On the whole, many Americans are stressed, burned out and likely have a family member struggling with mental illness. Consider:

• • more than 1 in 5 U.S adults and 1 in 6 U.S youth are battling mental illness

• • 94% of workers feel chronic stress at work

• • 55% of Americans feel stressed during the day

• • 63% of US workers are ready to quit their job to avoid stress

Traveling is one of the best ways to improve mental health and yet vacation culture in America is still evolving. We are a society that works ourselves to death.  According to a 2018 study, 52% of Americans didn’t use all the vacation time they had accrued. And yet, the benefits of travel are very real as demonstrated by a 2005 study of 1,500 women who took vacations twice a year. Not surprisingly, those who travelled had a lower risk of depression and stress than those who didn’t travel. So pack your bags; your mental health will thank you.

3) Travel can strengthen your romantic relationship.

Could travel spice up your romantic relationship? Probably. A recent report shows that couples who travel together are happier. According to the report, couples who travel together report higher levels of relationship satisfaction in a variety of areas including: sexual satisfaction, communication, intimacy, romance and longevity. After more than 20 years with my mister, I can attest travel has improved our relationship greatly.  The last ten years we’ve spent traveling have been so much happier than the ten previous years where we barely traveled.  Watching your partner evolve and deepen as a human being as you experience the world together is a truly intimate experience. Don’t get me wrong, there will be times you will want to leave your partner on the side of the road.  Couples who survive however, will come away with better communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and more than a few laughs.

4) Travel can sharpen your mind.

If you want to keep your mind sharp, it may be time for vacation. Paul Nussbaum, Neuropsychologist at the University of Pittsburgh explains that anytime you expose your brain to a new and complex environment, it helps to grow your brain like sprouting additional branches on a tree. The way he puts it, “Travel by definition is dropping your brain into a place that’s novel and complex. You’re stunned a little bit, and your brain reacts by being engaged, and you begin to process on a deep level.” The further and more deeply you travel, the more you’ll get those neurons firing.

5) You can travel while being charitable.

Want to make the world a better place while traveling? Consider voluntourism; travel while engaging in acts of charity and volunteerism. Some of my husband’s earliest travels were mission trips to bring supplies and build houses in remote communities. It’s also a wonderful way to expose kiddoes to travel while teaching them to be good humans. Inspiring, isn’t it? 

6) Travel can improve your physical health.

Since I am the last person on earth who should lecture anyone on health, consider the Framington Heart Study.  The largest and longest running study of its kind determined that men who didn’t take a vacation for several years were 30% more likely to have heart attacks than men who did not take time off. The same study showed that women who took vacation only once every six years or less were 8x more likely to have a heart attack compared to women who vacationed at least twice a year. Travel for your health, peeps. 

7) Travel can boost creativity.

Many travelers will tell you there is something about traveling to a new place that makes them feel creatively inspired. As humans, we experience the world through our senses and travel that exposes us to new sights, sounds, tastes, smells and experiences sets our senses on fire in the best way. This supercharging of our senses leads to heightened levels of creativity and innovation as it builds our capacity for cognitive flexibility; our mind’s ability to jump between different ideas as a critical component of creativity. If you are feeling creatively stunted, you may want to hit the road and let travel inspire you.

8) Travel can make you happy.

According to a recent study, Americans are at the greatest level of unhappiness experienced as a collective in 50 years. Americans are in desperate need of a happiness boost.  While money can’t buy happiness, spending money on experiences like travel can positively impact happiness. Another interesting fact? A recent study of more than 1,000 adults showed that just the simple act of planning travel can increase happiness. As Dr. Jameson Hayes Director of the Public Opinion Lab put it, “Reflecting on your last vacation doesn’t necessarily make you happier, but looking forward to your next trip certainly does.” Even if you can’t travel right away, start planning now and give yourself something to look forward to.

9) Travel can reduce stress.

As discussed earlier, Americans are stressed. Recovery requires taking time to replenish away from the sources of our stress. A study by the U.S Travel Association found that 89% of travelers experienced a decrease in their stress in as little as just one day of travel. 

 

10) Travel can reduce workplace burnout.

As Americans, we work longer hours than anywhere in the industrialized world, and are taking less vacation than we should. A 2017 study showed that Americans left more than 700 million vacation days unused.  The study also shows that those who use their vacation time for travel are far happier than those who are homebodies (76% to 48%).  Employees and employers should take note–vacation time matters. Work to live, not live to work.

11) Travel can make you more empathetic and fight prejudice.

Travel can improve empathy, understanding and acceptance at a time where our country is greatly divided. Experiencing new places and ideas breeds open-mindedness, curiosity and a tolerance toward the new and different.  A recent study confirmed that 76% of participants felt travel gave them a more positive outlook on differences and diversity.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”  

Mark Twain

12) Travel promotes bravery and stepping beyond the comfort zone.

Feelings of fear and anxiety when traveling are so common, there is a specific phobia for it known as hodophobia. After all, heading off to a foreign place is enough to stress anyone out. Travelers like me aren’t immune to these feelings of fear (hello, I run crazy anxious on a normal day)…we just do it anyway.  Travel will push you out of your comfort zone, but leaning into fear with a growth mindset is where the good stuff is. And you’ll gain a sense of confidence and pride in overcoming your fears.

13) Travel can make you more productive in the workplace.

Can taking time away from work make you more productive in the workplace? Employers may want to listen up, as studies suggest this may be the case. In 2006 Ernst & Young conducted a study of its workforce and found that for every extra ten hours of vacation used, performance ratings improved eight percent. Similar results were found by the Boston Consulting Group who found  employees  required to take time off were far more productive than those who spent more time working.    

14) Travel will help you meet new people and improve your social skills.

Traveling to an unknown place lends itself to needing to engage strangers for directions, ideas on where to go, and companionship. If traveling internationally, you are likely navigating these scenarios using a foreign language and nonverbal communication. While chatting with strangers can be daunting, it can also be seriously rewarding. I’ve gotten the best local travel advice from a waiter I be-friended in New Orleans while dining solo. Had some of the best laughs of my life with a group of strangers I met solo at a bar in Houston. While it may be uncomfortable, socializing with strangers will stretch your social skills, allow you to better read people, and give you amazing memories.

15) Travel will teach you about yourself.

 Travel is all about continuous learning–about new places, traditions, cultures, foods, perspectives, and values.  The more I learn about what others love and value, the more it teaches me about myself as well. Travel has helped me learn the things that make my pulse race and my heart ache, the things I love (and hate), as well as highlight the things I miss and appreciate most.  From learning what foods I love, to what activities I enjoy, to what sights most excite me, to what I truly value in life, travel has helped me develop a deep sense of self.

16) Travel makes you a lifelong learner.

For years, we have been taught to associate learning with classrooms and books.  I am a elf-professed lifelong learner and voracious reader. I triple majored in undergrad, took Ancient Greek just for fun and have a Master’s Degree. I’m all about education, but I can honestly say that travel is the best education I’ve received. Travel allows us to explore the unfamiliar which is a powerful driver for learning and self-development.  

17) Travel builds problem solving skills.

I would love to say that travel always goes according to plan but let’s be real; it often goes off the rails. Between flight issues, transport mishaps, and lodging snafus, it’s often a headache. Travel will force you to think quickly, pivot, develop back-up plans and how to find a solution to just about any problem you can imagine. Character building, yay! 

18) Travel will teach you to be adaptable.

As travel grows your problem-solving skills, it will also tax your adaptability.  When I began traveling, I was a controlling monster (ENTJ in Myers-Briggs lingo) who preferred a structured approach to travel. After years of delayed flights, health emergencies, weather disasters, pandemic, lack of time to plan or plans going sideways, travel humbled me. Travel taught me to roll with the things that are out of my control and to make the best of every situation. Now instead of travelling with a rigid itinerary, I sketch out possibilities and let our adventures take us where they will with a laid-back attitude. Travel has transformed this part of my personality completely, so much so that I now identify as an ENTP with a more flexible  approach to life.  I’m also a lot more fun now. Thanks, travel.  

19) Travel can teach you organizational skills.

Travel can be tough for disorganized folk, but organizational skills can be honed with time and practice. I loathe details with a passion, but when traveling, details matter. If you want to get the most out of your trip, you’ll quickly realize the value in learning to budget, research and plan to maximize your travel dollars and more importantly, your time. With a little practice, soon you will be planning trips on autopilot and can leverage your newly improved organizational skills at home and at work. 

20)  Travel introduces you to new cuisine and food traditions.

Experiencing new local cuisine is one of the BEST aspects of travel and it does not require travel to exotic places to enjoy. Wherever you go, research and find out what and where the locals eat. (See: chatting with strangers, above).  Whether it’s sampling the best BBQ in Memphis, finding the best lobster roll in New England or the best Muffaletta in NOLA, learning about and sampling local cuisine is a great way to embrace the local community you are visiting. As I travel the country with my family, we like to say we’ll try anything once; from chocolate covered bugs to alligator, to turtle and bison.  It’s a way to teach open-mindedness while having fun. Definitely not eating any chocolate covered insects again though…

21) Travel teaches you to cooperate with others.

Travel with friends and family is great but test your patience and ability to collaborate. Afterall, multiple people means multiple budgets, goals, plans, interests, and abilities. Do you have a headache yet? Well you will.  One of the first trips I planned was a group outing to South Dakota and it took a lot of negotiation to get three couples to agree on plans for us and our nine kids. Trying to come to consensus without it becoming all-out war is a challenge, but group travel is a blast and is so worth it! Talk about life skills…

22) Travel helps you learn history firsthand.

Learning opportunities abound when traveling. There are few better ways to appreciate history than to experience historical places firsthand. While there is plenty to be learned in schools and in books, nothing is better than learning through immersion. Some of the most enriching experiences of my life were taking my kids to the 9/11 and OKC memorials to help them grasp the enormity of those tragedies. Whether it’s visiting historical sites, buildings, or local museums, travel can bring history to life.

 

23) Travel lets you experience new sights.

There is a lot to be said about giving yourself a change of scenery. Just allowing your eyes to set sight on things as awe-inspiring as the vast sparkling blue oceans, majestic mountains or towering sky scrapers can be life changing. Travel will quickly remind you just how much bigger the world is than you, and it is a powerful thing.  

24) Travel with loved ones can meet your need for belonging.

Remember learning about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in high school? Ok, I barely do either, but I do remember that Maslow identified love and belonging as psychological needs every human seeks to get met. Travel with loved ones such as your family or friends can fulfill those basic human needs through shared experience and connection.

25) Travel can alter our personality (…for the better).

A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology studied students who travel and the impact on their personalities. The study showed that the adaptation required to travel (especially in foreign travel) made students more emotionally open, stable, less reactive, and agreeable. Simply put, travel experiences can help make us better humans.

26) Travel will build your time management skills.

Have you ever been on vacation and wasted half your trip in the airport? Or found yourself spending precious vacation time stuck in rush hour traffic? Most travelers have stories about how poor time management led to wasted time on vacation. Learning to plan and leverage your time strategically will help reduce wasted time while traveling. Oh, and time management is one of the most critical workplace competencies so the gains are transferrable.

27) Travel will give you amazing stories to tell.

Ever wonder why there are so many great travel books out there? Because through travel you will experience some of the most exhilarating, inspiring and heart-warming moments of your life. You will see much of the world others can’t even imagine and it will fill you with endless stories to share.

28) You will get amazing photos through traveling. 

You don’t have to be an award-winning photographer to capture stunning moments while traveling. Take your time enjoying the sights but be sure to snap some photos of yourself along the way. One of our traditions is taking family photos with the street art we find and making cool gallery walls. You will appreciate great travel photos for years to come. 

29) Travel can be spiritually fulfilling. 

There is something about deepening your perspective on life and sense of self that often leaves travelers feeling spiritually connected to their purpose and their soul more satisfied. The benefits can be far greater for those who use travel as a time to connect with nature.  

30) Travel encourages you to learn a foreign language.

While not required, travel can stir up your curiosity and desire to learn a new language. Language is an important part of embracing the culture of an area you are visiting. Also, locals love travelers who try to learn the local lingo.

31) Travel requires you to learn how to manage your finances.

Travel can help to grow your financial planning skills since unfortunately, travel isn’t free. Learning to save, budget, research the best deals and track expenses are all financial skills you’ll learn along the way. See, travel does teach grown up skills! 

32) Travel teaches gratitude for your own life.

Few things will make you appreciate home like spending significant time on the road. There is something about seeing someplace new that helps put the things you love about home into better perspective. My husband and I always say, the further we go, the more we appreciate our Wisconsin home. 

33) Travel can help you forget about your problems. 

While you can’t run away from your problems, you can go on vacay and ignore them for a little bit. No, you can’t outrun your problems, that’s for sure. Travel can however, give you time away to unplug and process heavy things, a critical component to heart healing. It can also give you fun times in cool places away from your micromanaging boss or useless ex. 

34) Travel will teach you skills to make you more employable.

Did you take a gap year to travel and wondering how to explain it to an employer? No problem. Travel teaches a ton of transferable skills! Focus on selling the skills you’ve built along the way such a planning, problem solving, communication, research and fiscal management. 

35) Travel will help you have the most fun of your life.

What can I say? Travel is just a freaking blast so you should probably stop reading this and go plan a trip to see for yourself.

What do you think about these reasons to travel? What is your why? Leave me a comment below as I would love to hear your thoughts! Happy and inspired travels, my friends!