Travel is one of life’s most widely shared pleasures. It feeds our curiosity and lets us switch off from our daily routine, discover other cultures, try different foods and share moments with our loved ones.
"Travels in youth are a form of education and, in old age, they are part of the experience", says philosopher and writer Francis Bacon
1. Communication
When we encounter an unfamiliar place and a new culture, we must adapt how we communicate. A different culture often means a different way of thinking, understanding and expressing things. Usually, when we communicate across cultures, we are unconsciously much more assertive, since we initially assumed that our way of looking at things might not be the right one in that place. That is why approaching people from other cultures is tremendously enriching, as it allows us to develop new communication skills that we can then apply in our daily lives.
2. Relaxation
The impact of travel on our emotional state is immense. Travel lets us switch off from daily routines and set aside most of our usual responsibilities, because when planning a trip, we all give ourselves a “break” that we embrace without guilt. Stress and negative thoughts fade away, and our minds are free to enjoy the here and now, which usually translates into a constant flow of positive thoughts. The level of stress decreases and Increases our emotional well-being.
3. Comfort zone
The so-called “comfort zone” results from a combination of defence mechanisms that try to reduce our daily stress. As a result, we feel comfortable in our everyday lives; we already know what will happen. In everyday life we build a comfort zone where the brain feels at ease and follows familiar patterns. When we decide to travel, we automatically step outside this zone, and may initially feel some stress and anxiety. Over time, however, We will begin to enjoy, feel and experience things we had almost forgotten.. That comfort is broken, but we will soon feel much more capable of face new situations that give us a greater sense of capability and independence.
4. Increased self-esteem
Going to a place where no one knows us helps us build trust, because we develop ways to overcome obstacles and gain a sense of control and autonomy. Many people regain innate abilities they had lost, often related to interpersonal communication.
5. Open-mindedness
A narrow view of the world can make us think our way of seeing things is the only correct one. This lack of understanding often leads to fear and prejudice towards other ways of thinking. Travelling changes our surroundings: everything is unfamiliar, and we become much more open to listening and understanding. That is how we break old patterns and learn to engage with different cultures and become more tolerant.
6. Self-awareness
Leaving everyday thoughts behind creates mental space to recognise, listen to and value our needs. Self-knowledge is the fundamental journey of our lives, and travelling helps us discover our most authentic selves.
Travel helps you grow enormously as a person and discover your fears and what you are capable of in difficult situations. Stay curious: ask, observe, learn and immerse yourself in the unknown. Let travel change your life.
Any time of year is a good time to switch off. In Tuareg we have scheduled departures all year round. Would you like to travel?