If there is no other compelling reason to travel, I thought I would list my the number one reason and simple health factor to why travel is more than just a hobby and that’s because; those who travel tend to have a longer life expectancy. Whether local or global, all forms of travel enhance our lives and can actually increase our life expectancy. Research shows that travel reduces stress, keeps your body healthy inside and out, and boosts brain health. This adds up to an increased chance of living longer and to having more fun doing it! The other 5 reasons are just icing on the cake.
There are a lot of places on Earth that have healing properties.
And they may not be in your own backyard. When you travel, you get to visit healing sites that others don’t — like the natural hot springs of Turkey, Iceland or Costa Rica that draw on the earth’s healing properties. Soaking in these mineral-rich waters can improve your skin, relieve pain and stress, and increase longevity. Energy vortexes — do exist, first of all — and are also sacred places made up of energy that just flows, whether it be wind, water or electricity. They are the places where the earth’s powers converge to heal, uplift, and rejuvenate. Some famous energy points include Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt, but there also vortexes in the United States in places like Sedona, AZ and Mount Desert Island, Maine.
Travel keeps you fit.
Okay so traveling often means sitting for hours on end in a series of moving vehicles, but it also means lots of opportunities to force you to be active. When we travel, we want to try new things and see all there is to see — we spent money to get there, after all — so we’re more likely to attempt an extreme sport, walk the city streets much more than we would back home, or hike to get the best views of our surroundings. Even if you plan to stay all day at the beach, walking on sand will force your muscles to work twice as hard. Did you know that even certain climates force you to intake more oxygen than at home and even helps you expand your lung capacity.
Travel will decrease risk of heart disease.
That’s because people who wander away from their homes for a little vacation are generally less stressed and anxious — or at least they’re willing to take a break from their stressors. Because of this, the long-running Framingham Heart Study found that men and women who traveled annually were less likely to suffer a heart attack or develop heart disease. And whose heart doesn’t expand a little more in love with exotic destinations?!
Last but not least, travel exposes you to different environments, which create stronger antibodies and boost our immune systems significantly. Antibodies are the little proteins that protect your immune system from harmful pathogens. In fact, exposure to some dirt and minor illnesses actually keeps your body and gut stronger. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t practice basic hygiene on the road — you should still wash your hands or use a little hand sanitizer here and there — but having some new bacteria in your life isn’t a bad thing. I personally know that after years of overseas travel my immune system is significantly stronger due to travel and one of my best probiotics to be able to fight off new bacteria.
So, next time you think of planning your next vacation, weekend getaway or overseas excursion, think of more than just what resort to stay at, what food and drink you will partake in and think about how many benefits you will be gaining to better your health.