Why Travelling is Food for the Soul?

Visiting new places, trying new cuisines and experiencing different cultures, allows one’s body to take a break from the mundane routine. Travelling for me is both peaceful and thrilling at the same time. After staying home for almost seven months, I have realized that travelling is indeed therapeutic. I am now looking forward and am hopeful that I will soon be trying to stuff my complete wardrobe in a suitcase wishing I do not have to pay excessive baggage fee.

Travelling is one of the biggest stress busters. I remember last year in the midst of all the assignments and tests, I took two days off to visit Pawna Lake, near Lonavala where was I able to de-stress and relax completely, only to return to face the daily grind again. The leisurely walks in the sun allow you to slow down and rejuvenate your mind. Or it could be a busy schedule of sightseeing- planning things your own way, helps you feel happy and satisfied. The place does not matter staying away from home and exploring new places brings peace to your mind.

Going to new places increases your confidence! This a proven fact, and I can give testimony for it. At 18, I travelled to South Korea and explored Seoul all on my own. At first it may seem intimidating, but searching for vegetarian food in a country where they don’t understand you teaches you different kind of lessons. Understanding their currency, trying to communicate in a foreign language or navigating a subway station can be difficult. But most people take it as a challenge and allow themselves to come out of the experience as confident courageous individuals. Thus, stepping out of you comfort zone and facing difficulties makes you mentally resilient. It makes you patient towards people and helps you to calmly deal with the larger problems of life.

Travelling enhances your creativity. It has been scientifically proven that new experiences like immersing yourself in a new culture– improve the neuroplasticity of your brain, increasing creativity in the process. It could be as simple as trying a new cuisine which allows your brain to be more flexible to new experiences. I make sure that I find something to eat (I am vegetarian so it has been tough in certain countries) representative of that culture. In China, I tried Moon Cakes as I was visiting during the Chinese Autumn Festival. I can not say I loved them, but it allowed my palate some tastes I had never experienced before. It widens your imagination and makes you more receptive.

Travelling provides pure happiness. Have you ever been to Disneyland? If not, you need to visit that place at least once in your lifetime, because it truly is one of the happiest places on planet earth. The air has a sense of adventure and all rides and acts are exciting. But any trip small or big brings happiness. The mere fact that you do not have to go to work, and have a whole day to yourself to either sprawl on the beach or enjoy the city, provides satisfaction to a person.

I hope you do not feel disheartened at the end of this, thinking about the various trips you had planned for 2020. I want you all to reminisce on the fun trips we have had in our lives and look forward to the ones we have been planning. Human beings are inherently social animals who love to visit new places and meet new people. Let’s keep the wanderlust alive in ourselves and remember that the monotony will soon be broken and your mind and soul will be able to experience all these wonderful things soon.

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Aditi Dayal