Did you ever know someone who, at an early age, grabbed their backpack and threw it on their back as they made their way through Europe? Did you also think this lifestyle wasn’t for you? You can think again. Research and studies are showing those who travel might not be as outrageously bold as once thought of, but these travelers may simply be some of the happiest folks around.
Many shoppers believe that giving or receiving the perfect gift for the holidays will make them happy. However, did you know that some of the happiest people are happy because of their life experiences as opposed to their material possessions? Of course, a new car is awesome, but when that new car smell wears off and your car wears down, the feeling of satisfaction can fade too.
Traveling experiences, on the other hand offer a host of benefits that make your happy moments turn into your happy memories. Here’s a list why some of the happiest people are travelers.
Travel Experience
Whether you are applying to graduate school or applying for a new job, having travel on your resume shows a potential employer or university you have what it takes to survive “out there.” Travel experience speaks volumes about who you are as a person.
Your travel experience does not have to be a whirlwind tour of European countries; it could be as simple as hiking and camping throughout the United States. Either way, travel experience helps you make mistakes along the way and learn from them. Your travel mistakes turn into your life experience.
Exciting Conversation
If you are like most people, new situations or social gatherings are a bit intimidating. Did you ever go to a marketing event and worry about what to talk about when meeting new people? Anywhere you go, when you have travel experience under your belt, you have plenty to discuss.
When you relay your travel experiences, you create exciting conversations which, in turn, has an added benefit – you gain self-esteem. If you are a speaker or leader in your industry, you can relate almost any travel experience to a real-life experience that others can relate to, as well. Confidence gains momentum, causing other positive events to follow. Talking about your travels can give you an edge in the crowd.
Life Skills
As a traveler, you learn some valuable life skills. Some life skills while traveling, you learn the hard way – like whom to trust and not to trust. You also learn the most valuable tool there is – self-reliance. As a traveler to a new locale, you learn to adapt to the culture and the surroundings quickly and, as you do so, you learn how to rely on your own natural instincts.
Frequent travelers have an opportunity to gain another life skill known as resiliency. If you’ve ever traveled, you know how easy it is to get bumped from a flight or miss a connecting one. Unexpected weather and airport delays are another part of travel sometimes. However, the more you travel, the more you learn to bounce back from these incidences. You learn to take action instead of getting upset. You learn to find a Plan B when it seems like none exist.
The next time after experiencing a cancelled flight, you learn to look at surrounding airports and alternate flights before you travel. This way you have a backup plan.
Memories over Material Things
Material goods purchased given or received from the holidays are great when you first open them – part of the joy is in wondering what someone else bought you. Once you receive the gift however, it might seem like the fun is over.
When you travel and it’s time to come home, you don’t forget the experience of travel. Sure, you can buy yourself plenty of materialistic goods for the holiday, but a trip somewhere will leave you with a lasting gift – the gift of memories.
