6 Amazing Benefits Of Doing Adventure Activities

There’s something special about embarking on an adventure into the unknown and really experiencing the world. You could kind of see it as essential "soul food".

Whether it’s a trek into the mountains, a cycle along rural back roads, a mountain bike challenge over rugged mountains or a climbing expedition to a majestic peak, an active adventure can liberate the soul and benefit your physical, mental and emotional state.

Here are 6 ways travel is the best adventure and by making it an active one, you can truly benefit your well-being and everyday life.

Spending time outdoors reduces stress

There’s a reason why there’s a smile on everyone’s face after they’ve come back from an active adventure – because they’re happier for it! All the stresses of life just melt away as you embark among some of the most stunning sceneries in the world.

Australians are some of the most stressed out people in the world, with a report finding that stress levels have been rising around the country for the past five years. Fortunately, research suggests that nature walks can reduce stress, as well as boost levels of attention.

Gregory Bratman, the lead author of the study, said that 'nature experiences, even of a short duration, can decrease this pattern of thinking that is associated with the onset, in some cases depression.'

Nature makes exercise easier

If you're having trouble getting the motivation to get fit, here's a bit of information that will make exercise easier.

Research conducted at the University of Essex suggests that exercise feels easier when you are viewing the colour green, such as on trees, grass and other plants in nature.

The study conducted tested cyclists pedalling in front of green, red and grey images. Those who pedalled in front of the green screen reported that they felt lower exertion during their cycling, as well as displayed less mood disturbances than the other participants.

If you're looking for a way to get fit the easy way, fool your mind and go on an active adventure in nature where it's "green".

Nature can rejuvenate your soul

One of the best reasons to spend time outdoors trekking and cycling is that it can reinvigorate your mental state. Studies have shown that viewing natural beauty can elicit feelings of awe, which can release endorphins and trigger a mental boost.

An interview by HuffingtonPost with a Seattle-based environmental psychologist states: 'In addition to helping decrease stress levels, spending more time with nature shows a shift toward more positive moods... the theory is that we respond positively to things that are good for us. Trees offer shade, protection and often have fruits and nuts, so they are a source of food as well as protection and comfort.'

Ultimately, we tend to be drawn and attracted to things that are beneficial to our survival, which is one of the reasons why trees and other natural elements can help lift our moods.

Travel increases your self-awareness

A bi-product of travel is raising your self-awareness and it’s one of the most beneficial parts of taking on an adventurous trip overseas.

Adventure travel brings you closer to your “inner self”, giving you the chance to examine and challenge yourself in ways you didn’t think were possible.

Stepping into the unknown and taking a risk demands our increased attention and can bring an intense state of self awareness – one of the reasons that people, such as mountain climbers, engage in adventure activities.

These adventurers often return home with a more relaxed mind and an increase in self confidence – yet another reason to pack your bags and head for a trek in the Himalaya’s Annapurna region for plenty of time for self reflection.

Find New friends

Take an adventure and gain a friend. If there's one benefit from an overseas adventure that'll leave you with the warm and fuzzy's, this is it.

Embarking on a challenge with other people can bring you closer together; sharing the trials and the triumphs gives you something to bond over and forms relationships that'll embed deep in your memories.

Whether you're trekking to Mont Blanc or rafting the Franklin River in Tasmania, one thing's for sure: you'll be able to relive those experiences in vivid detail as you laugh over the highlights and mishaps over a cold beer in the evening, or even perhaps a 10-year travel tour reunion?

Learn new skills

Adventuring not only expands your mind by building up your bravery, but is also an opportunity to grow and learn. New environments and cultures are packed full of meaningful life lessons that you might not be exposed to in your everyday life. Adventures expand the way we see and interact with the world.

The top adventurous skills to have are communication, creativity, and problem-solving. Choosing an adventurous job means getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing new things.