Traveling The World Makes You a Better Person

Just two years ago, roughly 1.24 billion people traveled internationally. Compared to numbers in previous years — 911 million in 2007 and 674 million in 2000 — it’s obvious more and more people are dusting off their passports and taking that long-awaited holiday.

What’s changed? While we don’t really know for sure, I guess we could make some guesses: for one, thanks to the advent of social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, the world has become a much smaller place.

And two, millennials. While millennials account for just one-fifth of international travelers, they view traveling differently than their parents’ and grandparents’ generations. To them, traveling means a potential transformative journey in the making — one in which they’ll come back as a changed person.

While this may sound a bit dramatic, millennials do have a point. Whether 25 or 75, traveling does change you for the better. How so?

1. You Become a Better Problem-Solver

According to research, those who are multi-national or travel internationally are not just more creative but are better problem-solvers. And when you think about it, it makes sense.

Traveling opens your eyes to new cultural experiences that are outside of your comfort zone. You’re forced to get out your map — or IPhone if you're a bit more with the times — and figure out where you are. You’re forced to try and communicate with people who don’t speak your language and you theirs.

Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash

2. You Realise Material Wealth Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be

Another study revealed that buying experiences makes people happier than buying material goods. The reason why? People are more likely to reinterpret experienced positively, and they see them as more meaningful. Not to mention, such experiences help them become more successful in their relationships.

There’s also another reason. Like with becoming a better problem-solver, traveling forces you to choose which possessions to take and which to leave. Because, practically and physically, you can only pack so much.

3. You Turn into a More Self-Reliant Person

Especially when it comes to solo travel, you’re forced to become more self-reliant. Or I would guess that is the case, I have only solo travelled for work, and well yeah I guess I have become more self - reliant in that aspect. You not only have to plan out your days in advance, figure out what to eat and where to sleep if you go overboard with the spending.

4. You Appreciate the Relationships You Have

According to an industry report by US Travel Association, couples who go on the traveling road together lead more healthier and happier relationships. We have never actually travelled for more than a few weeks at a time but you do get the sense this is or could be the case.

Need some spark in your relationship? It may be time to look at those jet charter flights in Houston by Stratos Jet Charters so you can jump start your travel in style.