Travel sure does take your mind off stress by offering serene, breath-taking views of nature that immediately soothes your nerves. But did you know that it could do your physical health good too? Let’s take a look at the seven universal health benefits travelling offers:

  1. Travel exposes you to different environments

An exposure to different environments filled with some dirt and minor illnesses has proven to improve the immune system by creating stronger anti-bodies. This isn’t to deny the regular hygienic habits but to say that a little exposure to new bacteria will not do all bad for your health.

  1. Travel lowers stress levels

It has been scientifically proven that travel will increase your happiness and decrease your depression. A study found that three days after vacation, travellers felt well-rested, less anxious, and were in a better mood. These improvements didn’t disappear when they returned home. In fact, they lasted for weeks afterward.

  1. Travel improves the health of your brain

Travel offers opportunities to meet new people and to adapt to new situations. You become culturally and globally more aware. This stimulates the brain cells to a large extent. It results in the sharpness of your mind, increased cognitive flexibility as well as an increase in creativity and personal growth.

  1. Travel will decrease your risk of heart disease

This is because people who wander away from their homes for a little vacation are generally less stressed and anxious, or at least they are willing to take a break from their stressors.

  1. Travel keeps you fit

Although travelling is generally mistaken to be associated with long hours of sitting, even a small walk on the beach in the sand will force your muscles to work twice as hard. It also involves walking through famous parks or zoos or even hitch-hiking to a beautiful view-point.

  1. Many places have healing properties

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 ‘anything that flows,’ be it wind, water or electricity. They are the places where the earth’s powers converge to heal, uplift, and rejuvenate.

  1. Travel will let you live longer

Research has proven that those who travel live longer due to a reduction in stress levels and an increase in relief and happiness experienced. In this fast-paced competitive life, one needs to take a break, slow down and relax to avoid a burnout.