We love talking about ALL the things that can help you live your best, healthiest, highest quality of life.  This often takes the form of exercise and healthy eating tips, but we know that a truly thriving life encompasses more than that.

So today, we’re going to chat about a fun healthy living topic – traveling!!

Why is traveling important to our health and having a great quality of life?

In fact, you might even be thinking, “Whenever I travel, my health DECREASES!  I’m out of my exercise routine, I’m not typically eating healthy foods.  How can it be HELPFUL to my health?!”

We know, we know.  We experience those exact things too!  But remember, that exercise and eating aren’t the only facets that make up a healthy lifestyle.

There are two amazing things we can gain from travel (well, likely more, but let’s keep this blog post on the shorter side, shall we?!).  Thanks to traveling, we get the chance to…

1. Open ourselves up to other cultures, and
2. Reflect on how we’re living our own lives

I (Brittni here!), just returned from a trip to Uganda and Kenya, so I got to experience these two things firsthand! 

Opening up to other cultures

Between traveling days and time in country, we spent around eight days in Uganda.  My husband had lived there for two years while in the Peace Corps before I met him, and since it had been so transformative to the man he is today, I knew I wanted to see it for myself.

It was a glorious introduction to the continent of Africa, because I was with a semi-local and because our mission was to get together with his old friends who became like family to him during that time.

Getting to finally see the places, experience the transportation (that’s an adventure all its own!), and hug the people I’d heard so many stories about was unreal.  I’m so grateful for these beautiful people who took in this foreigner and made him their brother.

We then took a short flight to Kenya to join forces with some fellow Pepperdine faculty members and several students who were on a two-week trip to serve, teach, and do research with a local ministry¹ – one that invites street connected kids from the Nairobi slums to live in their boarding school (boarding schools are common there), get an education, and eventually receive job training.

Not only were the kids incredible, but the folks who teach at and run the ministry were some of the most joyful, hospitable, and fun people I’ve met.  It was so inspiring to see people not only do their jobs but give their entire lives to the mission of helping these kids have a hopeful future!

So how did opening up to another culture enhance my quality of life?  Here are just a few ways…

I’m motivated to be a more generous, hospitable person who doesn’t need instant gratification to be happy:

• Being on “Africa Time” makes me more patient and teaches me that I can endure.  I will not die if I have to wait for things
• Being on “Africa Time” seems to infuse greater amounts of hospitality into an already generous people.  They’re never in a rush to end hanging out with you – they always hope you’ll stay longer, eat more, and spend more time with them

I’m more connected to others because I’ve experienced their way of life, and I want to learn how to connect even better in the future:

• The Ugandan and Kenyan people are so creative and industrious
• When you can speak at least some of the local language (shout out to my husband!), it opens up doors to more connection, honors the culture you’re in, and makes the trip more fun
• African Milk Tea is fabulous – and worth the stomach issues whole milk causes me haha!

Reflecting on our own lives

Whenever you’re out of your normal, day-to-day routine, and especially when you’re in a culture very different from your own, it gives you time to reflect. 

You start asking questions such as:  How am I living my life?  Am I in alignment with what’s truly valuable?  Have I been too worried about trivial things?  Have I been too distracted to give my life to the important things?

Somehow, travel opens your heart and soul right up so these (sometimes) scary questions don’t feel as hard to tackle. 

It’s like your guard is down and you’re ready.  You’re ready to look your life in the face and say, “Is this a meaningful way to live?” 

And if not?  Then it’s good you asked the question!  Because your heart is open and you’ve been adventuring into and learning from other cultures, you’re able to see more clearly the changes to make to ensure you ARE living a meaningful life.

And if that doesn’t lead to living your healthiest life, I don’t know what does!

So, in the words of Mark Twain, may you…

“…throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sail.  Explore, dream, discover.”¹

Cheers to your health!

Resources:
¹Made in the Streets ministry
²Mark Twain quote