Travel Health: Why Travel is Good for You
August 19, 2008 | 06:00AM
When thinking of travel, it is not unusual to focus on the negative things often associated with getting from one place to another. In so doing, we typically neglect to appreciate some of the not-so-top-of-mind benefits of travel. Today we’ve put together a few ways travel can help your body and mind. Click Read More for additional information.
When traveling, we tend to spend more time outdoors, stay active, seek new experiences and challenge ourselves with activities such as snorkeling, biking, parasailing, hiking, and swimming. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some health benefits of exercise:
Exercise improves your mood. Exercise has been shown to stimulate certain mood-boosting chemicals inside the brain that may leave you feeling more relaxed and happier. In one published study, research findings supported the theory that exercise can also help lessen depression.
Exercise prevents, or helps to manage, chronic diseases. Regular exercise has been shown to improve cholesterol, help prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.
Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs. Exercise helps the cardiovascular system to work more efficiently, and thus increase your energy.
Exercise helps you manage your weight. Exercise burns calories.
Exercise promotes better sleep. Exercise has been shown to help people having trouble sleeping to fall asleep faster and deepen their sleep.
Here are some examples of how traveling can be a mentally rewarding experience:
Travel can change/break routine. When away and traveling, there is usually no schedule to adhere to except your own. To relax, plan some time in a day to do nothing.
Travel can energize you in different and new ways. Traveling allows us to meet new people, discover new places, and taste new foods.
Travel can help you feel happier. Exploring new things, challenging body and mind, learning new cultures and making great memories are stimulating and fulfilling experience we gain when traveling.
Feel stressed? Take time off. Travel places. Having a great time is the most important thing.
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