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A person can become immersed in work for several months without enjoying a recreational travel break, leading many to believe that travel is a secondary and unnecessary activity that no one really needs. However, this belief may be misguided. The American Travel Association emphasizes the crucial importance of travel for individual health, its positive impact on social relationships, and the well-being of communities. Additionally, it has beneficial effects on the economy and business growth. Consequently, millions of dollars have been spent on research over the years to demonstrate the health benefits of travel for individuals.
The preliminary results revealed that students who traveled abroad had a desire to complete their university degrees that was twice as strong as that of their peers who did not travel. Furthermore, they later earned approximately 40% more than their counterparts. The findings also indicated that employees who took travel vacations became more productive than their colleagues, enjoyed higher morale, and were less prone to stress and burnout. Therefore, we will explore some of the various benefits of travel on individual health.
Many of us have experienced travel and leisure, even if just once or for a single day. Those who have gone through this experience fully understand that travel can significantly reduce stress levels, with this effect lasting for several weeks after returning. Therefore, the findings from many studies in this area are not new at all.
Travel plays an effective role in reducing stress and depression.
To explore the impact of travel on psychological pressure and stress, researchers at the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute in Wisconsin conducted a study—partially funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health—on two groups of women. The first group consisted of women who regularly took vacations for travel, while the second group did not. The results revealed that the first group, which engaged in travel, was less likely to feel fatigue and stress, and they also experienced lower levels of anxiety and depression. Additionally, they reported better relationships with their spouses compared to the other group. The study indicated that these psychological benefits subsequently lead to an improved quality of life and enhanced job performance.
Planning a trip will immerse you in happiness.
When any of us plans an upcoming trip, we look forward to adventure, visiting new places, meeting different people, and experiencing diverse cultures. Thus, the act of planning itself brings a sense of satisfaction and happiness. A study conducted at the University of Surrey in the UK revealed that individuals who anticipate an upcoming trip are less negative than others and experience greater well-being and happiness. In fact, merely planning for travel has a significantly positive impact on a person’s overall and private life, as well as on their relationships with friends and family, along with its effective influence on mental and physical health.
Moreover, another study conducted at Cornell University found that people experience greater happiness when spending their money on experiences rather than on material possessions. Consequently, individuals derive more joy from planning and spending money on travel than they do from shopping and acquiring physical goods.
Travel enhances the immune system.
The human body hosts approximately 90 trillion microbes, most of which are beneficial. These microbes compete with harmful bacteria to eliminate them, and they play an active role in enhancing digestive functions and producing blood-clotting factors after injuries. Thus, the presence of these microbes helps maintain the balance of the immune system and enhances its functions. The immune system is quite similar to an athlete; to become stronger and more capable of performing its functions in resisting pathogens and protecting the body from diseases, it requires training and practice.
When traveling from one place to another, a person encounters different environmental conditions, exposing them to various types of soil, water, and air, as well as to both low and high temperatures, along with fluctuating climatic changes. Each environment contains a vast array of different microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. Consequently, when the human body is exposed to these diverse environments hosting trillions of microbes, the immune system adapts and develops a natural immunity against the microorganisms encountered. This immunity acts as a barrier against illness or infection. Numerous studies have confirmed that exposure to minor dust particles and mild illnesses can enhance the immune system and improve digestive functions.
Travel reduces the risk of heart attacks.
The benefits of travel extend beyond just enhancing mental and psychological health; it also plays a significant role in reducing the risk of heart attacks. A study conducted over 20 years on residents of a town in Massachusetts revealed that women who took vacations only once every six years had a much higher risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease compared to those who traveled every two years.
A second study conducted over nine years, after adjusting for traditional risk factors like blood pressure, found that annual vacations lead to a decrease in overall mortality risk, particularly from heart disease. Additionally, another study revealed that men who do not travel for several years are 30% more likely to experience heart attacks compared to those who travel regularly. Conversely, those who have the opportunity to travel regularly are 21% less likely to die from heart attacks than their counterparts.
