It’s no surprise that traveling is good for the soul, but did you know that it’s also good for your character? People with wanderlust all agree that canvassing the world has changed them for the better. There’s no greater way to become a more well-rounded, compassionate, cultured person than to travel the world. If you don’t believe that traveling can change your life, read on to learn how sightseeing in some new countries can transform you into a better version of yourself.

1. You become more gregarious

Even the most introverted of travelers learn to tap into their social side when they’re across the globe. When you’re in a new country around new people, you learn that you almost have to talk to strangers. You’ll need directions sometimes, or want a local’s recommendation and you have two choices: be tight lipped and waste time and money or start talking to the locals to get their help and guidance. You’ll find that you have more in common with people than you would have previously imagined and you may be surprised at how friendly other country’s citizens are! Some of the best friendships have come from striking up conversations in the oddest of places.

2. More adaptable to changing plans

Travelers know better than anyone that they should always expect the unexpected. Flights get canceled, tours run late, you get lost, etc. The first few times these things happen, you may panic and stress yourself out. You can’t plan every detail, as much as you may try. But, seasoned explorers soon learn to roll with the punches and enjoy the experience sans the extra stress. Frequent travelers know that sometimes getting lost leads to a more beautiful path or that those dreaded delays can create new friendships. And that stress-free, laid back attitude can translate to a better perspective and more success in other areas of life, too.

Flying can be a scary prospect for some people, even when they’re perfectly healthy. There’s always that “what if” voice in the back of your mind wondering what would happen if you, or a fellow passenger, were stricken with a medical emergency during the few hours you’re stuck mid-flight.

The good news is that you aren’t alone, and airlines take medical emergencies quite seriously. There are a number of precautions in place that can help to save lives during possible emergencies while in the air. If this is a fear of yours, read on to get the facts to ease your mind on your next flight.

1. Who (or what) Can Help

Airlines freely acknowledge that it isn’t an ideal situation for someone to get ill onboard a flight, so they have many procedures in place should the unthinkable occur. If someone passes out or becomes unresponsive, flight attendants are universally trained to administer basic first aid. There’s a standard medical kit on board, as well as a defibrillator for heart problems, and together those things can handle most medical issues. If there is a doctor or a registered nurse on board, they don’t legally have to volunteer to help during an emergency, but most do as an ethical obligation.

If you have a fear of flying, you’re not alone. More than a 5th of the population suffers from this same phobia. Despite the fact that you’re about 100 times more likely to die in a car accident than a plane crash, millions of people still start to hyperventilate at the thought of flying. Whether it’s because you’re afraid of heights or that you don’t like relinquishing control, a fear of flying can be debilitating if you’re a business person or have family across the country. But fear not! We’re here to give you time-tested tips on how to change your mindset and beat your fear of flying once and for all!

Tip #1: Don’t let turbulence alarm you

Turbulence, although unnerving, is rarely a cause for alarm – yet most people end up soaked in sweat at the mere thought of a bumpy flight. But rest assured that turbulence is a very common occurrence and no plane has or will ever fall out of the sky from a gust of wind. Next time you’re on a flight and it starts to get a little rough, remember that birds and planes use air currents in the same manner; and how often have you seen birds just fall out of the sky from an air pocket?