Traveling is often easier said than done. Between taking the time off work, planning (and paying for) the trip, and finding time to research must-see spots, getting away from it all isn’t an easy feat. But we firmly believe it’s an important one, and one that’s so important to personal and professional growth. In fact, the inspiration for Forth + Nomad came while its co-founders, Andy and Morgan Sommer, were traveling abroad.

Here are four key reasons why it’s worth it to clear your calendar (and your head) and make travel a priority.

Traveling enhances creativity. Want to overcome that writer’s block or bring a new voice to your creative work? Step away from your desk and into a new environment. Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School, says that “foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms.” In other words, traveling and experiencing new environments opens your mind up to creating connections it couldn’t have made before.

Write down the things that inspire you in these pocket-sized Word. Notebooks.

There’s no better way to learn about new cultures. Houston is the most ethnically diverse city in the country. Our city is packed with people who bring different perspectives, cultures, traditions and norms. Traveling, and especially traveling abroad, is the best way to gain a newfound respect for those traditions. It’s one thing to dine at a Houston restaurant that showcases cuisine from the other side of the globe; it’s another thing entirely to immerse yourself in a new culture, and learn how its cuisine came to be in the first place.

Backpack like a seasoned pro with Stash Co.’s Kayak Backpack.

Travel with friends, and you’ve got friends for life. There’s a reason why traveling with friends and family is such a longstanding tradition: traveling is a great way to reconnect outside of your daily routines, and create new memories you literally can’t create anywhere else. Traveling with friends is a unique bonding experience, too – everything from finding the coziest lodging, to scouting out those hole-in-the-wall restaurants, to figuring out the group’s must-see attractions will bring you closer.

Be sure to pack Pretti.Cool’s Cigar Ashtray at Forth + Nomad for those late-night hangouts and conversations best enjoyed under the stars.

Stressed from the daily grind? Take a few days to step away from it all. In a 2013 survey, more than 80 percent of Americans surveyed said they noticed a significant drop in their stress levels after having traveled for just one or two days. Even though traveling can involve juggling a tight itinerary, handling logistics and spending no small amount of dough, it’s a proven stress buster, and can even help you find more fulfillment in your work when you return home. “(Traveling) helps us reflect on our personal goals and interests,” says Dr. Tamara McClintock Greenberg, a San Francisco-based clinical psychologist.

Relax in the evenings abroad with this three-pack of essential oils from Moon River Naturals.

For more products perfectly suited for adventures abroad, peruse our website, or visit us at our flagship location in the Heights at [insert address you’d like to use!].