Why do we need to travel? Why is it increasingly important that, from time to time, we change our environment and travel outside our country? Why is travel sometimes a necessity for our emotional health?

Many people underestimate the importance of travel. Traveling is not only fun, entertaining and pleasant. With our current lifestyles and working conditions, traveling has become more than an option. It’s more than having fun. As Augustine of Hippo said: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” During trips, you can do things that you don’t normally do. When you travel, you get outdoors and away from computers and televisions, and you are likely to mix with different people and cultures. People travel for different reasons. Some travel for fun and to have a good time. Others travel as a hobby. Traveling can be an escape from the hectic pace of life in big cities. Some travel just to change and move, as Robert Louis Stevenson said: “I do not travel to go anywhere, but to go. I travel to travel.” Some people like to learn about different cultures, as Mark Twain said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Traveling gives a person the opportunity to discover, explore and feel a sense of adventure.

Many people around the world are discovering the benefits of traveling as the tourism industry is growing worldwide and has become one of the top profitable sectors of the world economies. It is not surprising that trips grow year after year. According to figures released by the World Travel & Tourism Council WTTC, the global tourism industry grew by 3% in 2012 and contributed $6.6 trillion to global GDP through direct and indirect impact. In 2012, for the first time in history, international tourist arrivals reached 1,035 million.

These are the main benefits of traveling:

1-Stress relief: As you travel miles away from your surroundings, you can free yourself from your responsibilities and then begin to relax and unwind. You not only rest your body, but also your mind. Knowing that you can wake up at any time without an alarm clock, without needing to be physically available at work, will take a lot of mental stress off of you. Here, you can feel the freedom. Stress relief is one of the main reasons to travel. The moment you think you’re headed to Hawaii or Bali, you get an immediate sense of excitement and stress-free feelings. It is this peace of mind that makes traveling such a great stress reliever. Sometimes traveling can be stressful if your trip includes a lot of sightseeing or meeting a lot of people. But travel stress is different from home stress because it is positive stress. Travel stress is not associated with anxiety or worry.

Traveling is a great way to connect with nature, which is very helpful for your relaxation, mental or physical. Nature is a stimulus to activate your right brain. Right brain dominance is one of the main causes of stress relief. Also, during travel there is not the sense of urgency that is usually associated with behavior at home. The change of scenery is itself helpful in relieving stress.

2-Physical benefits: You move more when you travel. You walk more often, whether it’s on the subway, exploring the streets of a historic city, or even visiting a museum. When swimming or lying on the beach, you get a high dose of vitamin D from the sun, something that is very useful for your bones and also for your positive emotions. Outdoor activities associated with travel can reduce the risk of diabetes, lead to weight loss, and lower cholesterol. Some medical experts recommend traveling once every six months for heart and cardiovascular health. Some studies show that traveling even improves sleep.

3-Cultural Benefits: Sometimes we need to be anonymous. Sometimes we want to be free from any responsibility. Traveling allows you to exercise while meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. You will know how different people achieve their goals in different ways. You will learn new ideas that you have never thought of before.

4-Benefits of the relationship: Traveling with a companion and sharing the same experiences and situations together will enhance your mutual bond. 93% of 8-18 year olds consider travel to be “quality time” spent with their parents. 3 out of 4 parents say that family vacations are very useful for the family. Meeting new people in new places can result in a long-term relationship for many.

5-Happiness: Many people associate happiness with traveling. More than 50% of adults buy souvenirs just to remember their vacation. Most travelers save photos of their destinations as a way to remember those trips that are all about trying new food, beautiful sights, historic landmarks, and new music. This is one of the reasons why traveling can be addictive, especially if you have enough time and money. It has become a hobby for thousands of people around the world.

Remember, you can travel and have fun on a budget. Plan carefully and spend wisely. Read and learn savings tips.