Summer is here, which means now is a great time to travel and get out of your comfort zone. Whether you want to go somewhere tropical, cool or spend time with your loved ones, traveling can introduce you to new experiences and cultures, help you meet new people and much more. Read below to find out why traveling can be beneficial. 

• It can bring you joy. Venturing out into different places in the world can be exciting. Whether you’re sunbathing on beautiful beaches, hiking in forest preserves or exploring capital cities, being in a new place can put a smile on your face. 

• It can challenge you. Being in a new place doesn’t come without its hardships. It can result in feeling stressed or anxious when you don’t know or understand your surroundings. You might get lost, sick or injured. However, these challenges can also encourage you to grow, get back up and keep moving forward. Traveling can boost resiliency, which you can learn more about here. 

• It can bring a sense of self-awareness. One of the great things about traveling is that you have a chance to reflect on your life and decisions. Many people use traveling as a temporary escape to put their everyday lives into perspective. This can boost your sense of self-awareness and help you find mental clarity.  

• It can introduce you to new people. While being surrounded by the same group of people from your hometown can be comforting, exposing yourself to a new city or country with different people can be thrilling too. Meeting others while travelling can result in new bonds and friendships. 

• It can create lifelong memories. As the great Ibn Battuta once said, “Traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” From trying new things to eating new foods, traveling leads to great stories and creates memories that will last a lifetime. 

So, what are you waiting for? Take some time off and book that vacation!