The Benefits of Travel

Hello! Welcome to the debut of Iris and Poppy Travel Studio’s travel blog! This is a collaborative endeavor that we’ve been excited about for some time. Iris and Poppy Travel Studio came to life as Neli and I (I’m Laura!) were discussing the need for something new. We both felt stuck and were craving something that we could get excited about. As we began to brainstorm together, we agreed that traveling was something that improved our well-being. In addition to taking a trip, we also knew that simply planning a trip brought us energy. The normal day-to-day activities seemed a little less mundane when we researched the best restaurants in Barcelona during our lunch break. So, we built Iris and Poppy Travel Studio, not only to share our own travels, but to help others make their own travel dreams become reality.

A year and a half ago, during that life-changing brainstorming session, Neli and I easily listed many benefits of traveling. Little did we know that there are studies to back up these positive experiences. Reading some of the stories has only deepened my belief in what we're building at Iris and Poppy Travel Studio. Travel is a valuable way to improve our lives. Below are just three of the benefits of travel that are being studied by professionals that I find especially meaningful.

Increased physical activity-

Even if your vacation of choice is lounging by the pool for 5 days at an all-inclusive resort, it is very likely that you are engaging in more or different physical activities than you’re used to. As Americans, physical activity is not inherently built into our daily routines. Instead, we carve out time here and there for workouts. We drive almost everywhere and sit at a desk for hours each day. When traveling, we often use public transportation or walk, we go for long hikes, we climb the many stairs to the top of the tower for that perfect view of the city. Even if we vacation at a resort or on a cruise, we walk more, take laps in the pool, swim in the ocean.

I love how this article starts to explore the positive and negative aspects of travel including increased physical activity. Increased physical activity can be very positive. However, it is important to know your limits and not overdo it when on vacation. That balancing act between our comfort zone and something completely new is part of the excitement of traveling. When we push ourselves too far outside of our comfort zone, it can cause stress levels to rise beyond a healthy level. I love taking long walks through European cities, but I enjoy the breaks at small pubs just as much!

Climbing the 375 stairs to view the city center of Liege, Belgium. This was an amazing workout that ended with a great view of the city. And a waffle.

Increased creativity-

Do you experience dread at the end of vacation? Of course, we all do. Do you also experience renewed energy and creativity once you’re back home? Several studies have shown that traveling and exposure to new cultures, food, and scenery provides a creative boost that lasts for days, even weeks after returning from a vacation. One study explored how workers respond after returning from a vacation. It found that they experience higher levels of cognitive functioning and that ideas were more diverse after a vacation. I experienced this after my recent vacation to Belgium. I returned to work excited to try new approaches and to make progress on goals that I set. I still feel this energy weeks after returning!

A graffiti covered hallway in an art gallery in Berlin, Germany. Street art in Europe always inspires me to be more creative.

Greater empathy-

I was excited to learn that greater empathy has been studied as a benefit of traveling the world.  With each new country that I visit, I find that I learn more and more about the human experience. With this new knowledge, I am slower to judge and am more inclined to be curious. This study found that as one’s visits to new locations increase, so does one’s trust. With trust comes empathy. This makes me smile-travel can help us be slower to judge, less fearful, and more inquisitive and understanding of others.

 Traveling the world has certainly changed my life. What do you experience when you travel? Why do you travel? Is there a trip that stands out as a life-changing experience? Share in the comments, and welcome to Iris and Poppy Travel Studio! We’re grateful that you’re on this journey with us!

Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo, Japan. I felt something special while visiting this temple. It's a feeling that I won't soon forget.