The Informed Traveler

Stress is the intense feeling that comes with being overwhelmed with physical, emotional, or mental pressure. When you are stressed for a long time, it can have adverse effects when not properly managed.

One of the best ways to bring down your stress levels is to go on a vacation. Not everyone has come to realize the positive benefits that come with vacation, especially on how it helps to reduce stress.

Here are some of the signs that you may be struggling with stress

Decrease in energy levels

When you are stressed, you are likely to experience a depletion in your energy levels. You might not be motivated to do anything, and this symptom is mostly associated with the risk of experiencing insomnia. Stressed people may need extra encouragement to do important activities in their lives.

Depression

Different studies have shown that high-stress levels are associated with depression. This means that when you are stressed out and you don’t find ways to manage the condition, you might end up having prolonged bouts of sadness, which can become depression in the long run.

Frequent sickness

Stressed people are also more likely to fall sick often than their counterparts who are adept at managing stress. Various research studies have shown that high-stress levels are closely associated with the risk of contracting illnesses.

Some people who experience chronic stress may have a weakened immune system that can make them fall sick regularly.

Lack of organization

Another way to know that you’re stressed is when you find it challenging to put your acts together. This means that you may not have proper coordination when it comes to ensuring that everything is in order.

For instance, your house may be disorganized, your wardrobe might need some decluttering, your car could be filled with several unnecessary items, etc.

Some people may also experience some physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, chest pain, nervousness, diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, etc.

Travel is an important aspect of life that many people don’t pay attention to. When you compare the perks and downsides of traveling, you will discover that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. If you are looking to keep your mental health in great shape, you should pay more attention to travel.

Here are some mental health advantages that come with traveling

It makes you happier

If you discover that you are less happy because of the demands of work, life, family, etc, you can consider traveling to get your mind off them. Traveling helps you disconnect from the daily pressures of life, and helps you focus more on yourself.

To make traveling more worth it for you, you can consider going to safe and new places that you’ve not been to before. Then you can make out time to document your experiences so that you can always relieve them when you are back to your daily life.

It boosts your creativity

Another benefit that comes with traveling is that it enhances your creativity. When you travel, you are out of your comfort zone, which then spurs you to pay more attention to things around you.

For instance, if you travel to a new country, you may be more motivated to learn more about their culture, food, language, etc. Traveling helps you to become more resourceful and open to learning new things.

You will have more fun

Traveling helps you to have more fun which positively impacts your mental health. Before you travel, you will look forward to what you expect from your trip. This creates a positive feeling and excitement within you.

Overall, deciding to travel is a superb choice for your health. Be sure to pick a safe destination that is within your budget. When you travel, it helps to broaden your horizon, boost your confidence and even get real-life education.

Additionally, be ready to soak in the entire experience of your trip so that you can take full advantage of the awesome benefits that come with traveling.

As vacation time could be limited, it is tempting to want to pack in as much sightseeing and fun as possible into your holiday. Here are a few tips to help make the best use of your traveling experience;

• BE AN EARLY BIRD

The vacation is just for a few days or weeks so, getting up earlier than usual from bed would not be a bad idea but help you maximize your day. Arrive at your first sight of the day minutes before it is opened to beat the crowd and get a better view of the beauties.

• TAKE PHOTOS AND NOTES

Photos are as important as the trip itself as it helps in reminiscing memories later on as you do not want those moments to go unnoticed. Besides, writing down your thoughts can be productive as new ideas tend to hit you in a new environment.

• CULTURE AND FOOD

One of the best ways to maximize the traveling experience is to embrace the culture and enjoy the food of that city.

Try something new, as each city or country always has food or dish peculiar to them. Explore the culture of a place by relishing the arts, appreciating artworks, seeing the beauty and variety of the sights.

• PRIORITIZE YOUR SIGHTSEEING

It is easy to get carried away in a new place, especially one with lots of beautiful and magical places.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to identify which attractions are a must to see and the ones that would be nice to see if time permits. Start with the ‘must-see’, then if you still have the luxury of time, you could check out the ‘nice-to-see’.

• BE CURIOUS

When going on a vacation or trip, take on the nature of a child, doing this you would enjoy it in a child-like manner and view things from a new perspective. Curiosity is the basics to enjoying your vacation, ask questions, gain more experience and live freely.

Traveling is a beautiful activity that everyone, regardless of their age should be engaged in from time to time.

The adventures of traveling are the best part of it, from taking a speedboat ride in New Zealand to watching the animals grazing in Tanzania with others. Furthermore, the exposure to new places and new people can be reviving and eye-opening to see how other people live. 

Traveling helps create meaningful relationships as you would meet people outside your hometown circle of friends, some, later on, become an integral part of your life.

There’s a different feeling when you meet people from other cultures, get to see things from a whole new perspective. Another thing that traveling helps to create, is memories, you can always document these memories and keep remembering them for a lifetime. 

Asides from the fun aspect of traveling, you get to learn history, geography, economy, politics and, the likes from traveling. It’s a whole package of an education that requires no entrance exam before embarking on it.

Seeing and viewing the world from the standpoint of traveling provides an education that could not have been learnt in the four walls of a school environment.

For those who love to dream big, traveling gives them a sense of accomplishment as they can set a goal of visiting a place and meeting that goal.

Traveling is a moment filled with joy, memories, and challenges, and being able to surmount these challenges brings a level of fulfillment and accomplishment.

Relaxation is one of the most beautiful things about traveling, help you take a break off from so much stress and discover who you are and what you want from life. 

Whether you decide to take a few days, months, or even years traveling, it is necessary to go out and see the world. 

An e-cigarette – also known as an electronic cigarette – is “a cigarette-shaped device containing a nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized and inhaled, used to simulate the experience of smoking tobacco.” This too is a common misconception; for a wide range of people believe that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to smoking – just as they do with chewing tobacco. But like any other form of drug addiction e-cigs also carry health risks when abused – or used – for a prolonged amount of time.

In order to understand an e-cig device, he/she must first understand the concept of vaping – which is defined as “the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or other vaping device.” If one begins to find himself/herself addicted to vaping, then it is possible that it could lead to something even worse – such as cigarettes. For many build a tolerance to the substance they are inhaling – until they find themselves looking elsewhere for a stronger high; that’s why many avert their eyes stronger forms of nicotine. 

In addition to this, e-cigs can also cause a variety of symptoms, including – but not limited to – “irritate the lungs, may cause serious lung damage and even death, and can lead to smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco use.” However, many fail to realize these risks – and see vape juice as being something that resembles that of flavored water; in fact, one can choose whatever he/she would like to put into his/her vape pen, which can cause greater risks – depending on what substance that he/she chooses. 

Yet, even so, these are mostly used by teens – and seen as a trend – because of the various flavors and colors. Consequently – such early use – is what aids in further drug use later on in life, as the teen grows into adulthood. This – in combination with little, or limited knowledge of exactly how the e-cig mechanism works – can lead him/her in the wrong direction.

In conclusion, even though e-cigs (electronic cigarettes) may seem harmless, they are still just as dangerous. That’s why it’s important to be educated on the risks – so that certain dangers can be avoided altogether. Not only that, but both teens and adults can then be protected from potential addiction. In turn, if you – or a loved one – are dependent on e-cigs on a daily basis, help is available for all who seek out help.

Traveling is essentially a way for people to not only experience something fresh, new, and exciting, ut also serves as a way for one to self discover. It’s with such that the individual can begin to learn more about himself/herself through the places, foods, and cultures that they are expected to in the midst of their trip. But, while traveling can prove to be an amazing opportunity, many keep their focus on the destination itself to such a high degree that they soon find themselves prepared for their dream vacation－when failing to complete the necessary and needed research to make their transit all that more enjoyable.

In turn, there are DOs and DONTs to traveling－which differ from place to place－that those who haven’t traveled before may be unaware of. As a result, it is of great importance that individuals are informed of the customs of the location in which they are visiting, so that they can be both respectable, as well as make their trip as pain free as possible. One “do” in particular that anyone and everyone should follow when traveling to a place that they are foreign to is to “be aware of your surroundings. If anyone or thing looks suspicious, notify your chaperone or instructor.” In contrast, one “don’t” is to “walk with a purse or bag loosely over one shoulder. Instead, carry it diagonally facing the inside of the group or friend next to you. If you have a backpack, the safest place for it is on your chest when in a large crowd. Of course, never leave those items unattended. More of these DOs and DONTs  can be found via the links below;

• The DOs and DONTs of Traveling Abroad

• 15 DOs and DONTs of Women Traveling Alone

• The DOs and DONTs of Business Traveling

• DONTs of Traveling－Wolters World Travel

• 12 Things Not To Do When You Travel

• 11 Things You Should Do Every Time You Travel

Of course, if one exhausts their sources they will find a number of DOs and DONTs which exceed the lists above. Some in regards to safety－dependent on location－and others they find might be more personal, by including ways to make their trip more enjoyable. In conclusion, it is with the helpful DOs and DONTs above, along with many others, that a wide range of people can not only be prepared for their first trip, but every trip after that awaits them in their near future.