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Travel Tips: Packing

Travel tips

When planning and getting ready for a trip packing is usually procrastinated and then done in a rush. Packing well is essential to a successful trip, for example forgetting sneakers to hike or a bathing suit at the beach can lead to a major vacation inconvenience. Creating a list and making sure you have all the essentials is a great way to make sure you are never in a situation without something. There’s a fine balance between packing everything you need and overpacking as well.

Important Documents

Make sure to pack all important documents including passport, ID, credit cards, cash, tickets, hotel confirmation, and travel itinerary. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than getting to an airport and discovering you forgot your boarding pass or your passport. Not to mention, having no money is certainly no way to spend a vacation. Make sure all the documents are in a safe, secure, easy to find place that can be easily accessed since you’ll most likely need them a lot throughout your travels.

Clothing

It can be easy to overpack in the clothing, shoes, and accessories department when going on vacation. Make sure to plan out your outfits by day and lay them out ahead of time. In addition, make sure to pack a few extra shirts and an extra pair of pants just in case you spill on an outfit or get sweaty. Shoes wise, packing 2 to 3 pairs should be good enough depending on how long you stay. Shoes take up a lot of space and weigh a lot so if you’re traveling via airline it’s best not to add to many. In addition, extra underwear and socks are something you can never go wrong with. Depending on where you are traveling and activities you are doing pack outfits you can layer, bathing suits, etc.

Toiletries

Depending on where you’re traveling, it’s best to buy travel sized bottles once you arrive at your destination. This eliminates the chance of bottles exploding in your bag and also gives you more room for other things. In addition, many travel lines restrict you to only packing a certain amount. Other toiletries that should be brought are basic makeup items, towels, medicine, first aid kit, deodorant, etc.

There are many other things that should be packed for trips but these are a few tips to get you started on sorting out what to bring and what not to bring to have a successful vacation.

Why Traveling Is Good For You

Traveling is a great experience for everyone of all ages. It has a tremendous amount of benefits besides being able to see beautiful places and experience a new culture. There is no reason not buy a ticket and hop on a plane.

Keeps The Mind Sharp

Travel has a great affect on keeping the brain and mind sharp. Since your brain is being introduced to new surroundings and new experiences it becomes challenged build a resilience against degenerative diseases. This cognitive stimulation has been shown to improve memory and concentration, especially with people with dementia. Switching up a vacation destination every year will allow the brain to stay sharp and reap the benefits.

Create Meaningful Relationships

Meeting people from different cultures and countries can give you a new perspective on life. You can meet some of the best people that you form lasting bonds with on these trips. It will also help you form better relationships with people in general, and help you open up and be more social. In addition, being away from home helps you realize what great relationships you have with family and friends and make you take them for granted less.

Education

When you are traveling, even if it is to a town over from you, you are learning new things from the places you are going as well as the history and culture. Learning makes our brains more active which increases happiness, especially when it something that we enjoy learning. Learning new languages, customs and cultures, and even trying foods all stimulates the brain.

Fitness Increase

While most people claim that they do nothing on their vacation, in reality you tend to be more active when you are in a new place, sight seeing, walking to restaurants, and being out and about all day instead of sitting in an office chair all day. In places like the beach, Disney World, and Europe, tourists tend to walk around 10 miles a day. Tourists are also more inclined to try new things like kayaking, paddleboarding, and other activities.

Travelling and taking a break from ‘real life’ has many health benefits. From creating meaningful relationships to increasing fitness there’s no reason not to travel.