Improve Your Work Life Through Travel
By Mikkie Mills
Numerous research studies are beginning to verify that travel is amazing for your mental health. It is important to note that you do not have to travel to the ends of the earth and back to experience these benefits. The important aspect is to travel somewhere that is significantly different from your immediate geographical surrounding or to experience something new in a place you have never been.
Stress Relief
Studies show, and mental health professionals agree, that taking time to unwind and provide yourself with mental breaks away from work is essential to help you recharge and rejuvenate. It will also help to reduce your anxiety levels accumulated from the demands of your job. In fact, a 2013 study from The Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Study revealed that over 80 percent of respondents noted a drastic reduction in stress after just one or days of travel. Even if you remain active and busy when you travel, the stress relief benefits are still exceptional. And, they will last for some time after you return.
Work Advantages
Believe it or not, you will acquire new work skills and improve your existing ones by traveling. Some of such skill improvements attributed to travel are directly related to creativity, innovation, problem-solving and productivity. How is this possible? When you participate in an entirely new cultural experience and environment, it helps you to improve your creativity. It is important to note that you must submerge yourself into local activities to gain the benefits rather than to be a passive observer. These enhanced skills often lead to innovation. Problem-solving and productivity skills are gained as you attempt to navigate, plan and overcome obstacles throughout your trip.
Interpersonal Growth
Travel leads to interpersonal growth for most people who travel. It is one thing to read about a culture or place on the Internet, however you gain a vastly different understanding when you experience it in person. As you speak with locals and engage in the culture, your perspective begins to change and you gain tremendous insights you would never have developed without such experiences. You will become more empathetic, tolerant and flexible to other ways of life. It can even help to reduce social anxiety in some cases. It will also make you more acutely aware of the way you behave as a human being outside of your comfort zone.
Happiness and Life Satisfaction Booster
Travel will make you happier and boost your overall satisfaction with life. To begin, the build-up and planning process of your trip brings forth anticipation and something to look forward to outside of the daily grind. If you travel to parts of the developing world, you will witness first hand that happiness is not directly correlated to money and monetary possessions. This will help you appreciate your life more, and their happiness is contagious. As a result, you cannot help but smile all the time, and this will make you happy inside and out.
Builds a Mental Resilience
If you are brave enough to approach a travel adventure, you will quickly become emotionally and mentally resilient. You must face difficult situations entirely outside of your comfort zone without a safety net. This quickly helps you to realize that you are much stronger than you once believed. You do not have the option of breaking down; therefore, it is not something that enters your mind. You quickly learn to solve problems on the fly, adapt and embrace the differences that travel brings your way. You will also learn to remain calm during moments of uncertainty and accept that not everything is within your control. This can only help you in all life’s circumstances.
Make this your global citizen year, and go out and travel to reap the rewards. You will grow as a person. You will improve your job skills and performance, as well as reduce stress. And, you will simply be happier in life. What could be better?
About Mikkie Mills: “I’m a Chicago native who loves to share her expertise about personal development and growth. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing the little ones around or rock climbing at the local climbing gym.” More articles by Mikkie.
