Scientific Effects Traveling Has On Your Mind, Body And Soul

Traveling — the best way to escape life's problems and recharge your emotional batteries.

We only get roughly 15 vacation days per year, so we must be careful in our traveling decisions, regardless of the fact that we'd like four times that amount. But as great as travel can be, it actually has some pretty crazy effects on your body, and no, they aren't all positive. In fact, most of them are pretty negative, so you better make sure that the trip you are planning makes up for it! Just kidding... well, kind of.

Your bathroom and sleeping schedule are probably the two biggest aspects that will take a hit whilst bopping around.

So how else does your body take a toll when you start jet setting around the world?

1. Extended travel can actually affect your personality.

It's no surprise that traveling takes you outside of your comfort zone. In fact, this is perhaps why people crave traveling to the extent they do.

In psychology, there is this concept of the "Big Five," which refers to the five dominant characteristics that describe a person's personality.

These traits include neuroticism, openness, extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness.

The more travelers interact with new people and immerse themselves in a new culture, the more their goals are aligned with the openness personality trait.

2. Pimples will hit you on the first step of your journey.

You got up this morning and put on a fresh face of makeup. You headed to the airport without a care in the world — that is until you actually boarded the plane.

You really have to pee, so you head to the back of the plane, but what greets you in the mirror stops you dead in your tracks.

Your once blemish-free face now resembles the natural terrain of Mars.

Why? The low humidity that occurs in flight is enough to drive your skin (and you) crazy. Don't worry, we all become oilier as a defense mechanism and walk off the flight with a fresh face full of zits.

3. Your diet will abruptly change.

The second you go on vacation, so do your rigorous eating habits.

When you're traveling, you are much more likely to indulge in the local foods, regardless of the fact that you swore you wouldn't eat a carb.

But isn't the point of vacationing to eat whatever you want? This brings us to...

4. Your exercise habits will probably minimize.

Who has time for a gym routine when you're off sightseeing?

There are no SoulCycle classes when you're backpacking through a jungle, and there are no barre classes on a remote exotic island.

But that's just what happens when you're on vacation — your schedule is on vacation too.

5. You get a rush of adrenaline.

Hiking and skydiving are just two examples of creating an adrenaline rush while traveling.

This is a huge motivator of why people travel — they want that rush they can't get at home.