A change of scenery is an old and well-proven remedy for apathy: it helps you break away from your habits, fills you with enthusiasm and recharges you with energy. There are many people today who can only relax when they travel somewhere, so their rest is not disrupted by household activities and other everyday stress factors. The new environment can inspire your creativity, it can help you to make new discoveries or to simply relax, depending on what is most refreshing for you.

Of course, a change of scenery does not mean you have to travel around the world. A walk in the nearby woods or a weekend getaway to a spa can also have a good effect on your mood. But let's see why it is good to have a change of scenery.

In particular, people living in big cities are affected by the harms of civilisation such as lack of movement, noise pollution and poor air quality. These are themselves stress factors, so it is not surprising that urban people are more prone to anxiety and symptoms of depression. If you are one of those people who are trying to survive in the concrete jungle, you can especially benefit from a trip to the countryside. Research has shown that the forest does not only have a sedative effect, but the scent of plants also improves the mood like an aromatherapy. Being in nature can also bring you to a meditative state and silence your mind.

Travelling also stimulates brain function in several ways: fresh air improves the oxygen supply of the brain which helps you concentrate. By literally breaking away from your everyday habits, you can also gain new perspectives and see new connections in relation to old topics. It is also possible that even new brain cells will form as a result of environmental change, however, there is no conclusive evidence on this matter yet. But most of us agree that when we find ourselves in a dense new situation, surrounded by an unknown landscape, especially if it is connected to a new activity we have not tried before, new connections are formed between the brain cells. All this enhances creativity, helps in decision making, increases productivity, and prevents mental decline.

If not for anything else, travel for pleasure! And, of course, to have something to wait for. According to a Surrey University research, not only travelling, but planning also make people happy, and many people already start looking at hotels in January because it gives a positive boost to everyday life. According to the study, vacation planning has a positive effect on other areas of life as well: people with holiday plans are more confident about their health, economic situation and quality of life.

New experiences seem to have such a high reward value that it may be even worth rethinking our spending habits. Researchers had been studying the mood of people queuing and found that those who had been waiting for an experience were a lot more cheerful than those who bought something, such as clothing.

Last but not least, it turns out from a survey by the American Travel Association that romantic relationships can also benefit a lot from travelling. According to the results, travelling has a good impact on the lives of lovers in the long run, as it brings them closer together. It reaffirms common interest, shared beliefs, and can even revive passion. And not just pleasant experiences, but also overcoming difficult situation as well as planning itself can strengthen the relationship between two people.