There are countless benefits of travel, both for physical and mental health. In fact, research shows that travel has a profound effect on one’s mental well-being. A 2013 survey of 483 U.S. adults revealed that travel boosts the human capacity for empathy, energy, attention, and focus. Another recent study from Cornell University found that the act of planning a trip improves a person’s overall happiness. In addition, travel can make one more self-aware, because it helps people gain perspective on the world and themselves.
Whether one is traveling for recreation, tourism, information gathering, or social interaction, the reasons for traveling are many. Some of these reasons include holiday travel, volunteer travel for charities, migration to live in a different place, religious pilgrimage, mission trips, business travel, and health-related reasons. The methods used by travelers to get from point A to point B vary, from walking, running, and cycling to automobiles and ferries. Other travelers use public transportation, automobiles, ferries, and cruise ships.
In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, travelers should consider the safety of their journeys. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider traveling abroad if they’re exposed to COVID-19. The disease has spread to several parts of the world and many countries have implemented draconian measures to limit traveler mobility. In addition to the restrictions, crowds can increase the risk of exposure. Taking precautions and reading travel advisories are essential when planning for a trip.
While traveling abroad, it’s important to keep tabs on official advice and information. Visit the government’s Travel Advice and Advisories page for updated travel information. Likewise, be sure to visit the Re-Open EU website to check on any updates. You’ll find useful information on entry requirements and restrictions in different countries. And make sure you’re prepared with the necessary vaccinations and travel documents before you leave the country. If there’s a change in security conditions or health risks, it’s important to check the latest travel advisories for your destination.
The Chicago Department of Public Health issues a COVID-19 travel advisory on a weekly basis. It covers 40 U.S. states and a territory. States are removed from the Travel Advisory when their daily case rate drops below fifteen per 100,000 residents for two consecutive weeks. The only states that are not on the COVID-19 Travel Advisory are the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The average daily case rate for the United States is 27.3 per 100,000 people. However, the daily case rate in Chicago and Illinois is 19% lower.
When traveling, consider purchasing travel insurance. It covers your medical expenses during emergency situations and may even reimburse you for your non-refundable airline reservations. It also pays for the costs of losing luggage or medical emergencies resulting from airline delays. And it will even cover expenses if you become ill while on vacation. As a bonus, it also provides death benefits for your family should something happen to you while traveling. There are many advantages to getting travel insurance, so take advantage of the benefits today.
