Whether it’s exotic excursions, extraordinary encounters or activities of all kinds, travel is great for making memories and for providing us with stories to tell. But it can also contribute to maintaining good mental and physical health, and may even help slow the signs of aging, researchers say.
According to the findings of a study conducted by researchers at Edith Cowan University, traveling is good for your health. The reason is twofold. Travel has a positive impact not only on mental health but also on physical exertion levels – two parameters that pave the way for a surprising link between tourism and health.
Whether it’s going on excursions to meet local communities or meeting other travelers curious about heading off the beaten track, unless you spend the whole day lounging by the pool, travel is often a time for all kinds of exciting moments that spark emotions, wonder, and encounters. And these kinds of activities stimulate the brain and help maintain good mental health.
“Tourism isn’t just about leisure and recreation. It could also contribute to people’s physical and mental health,” explained Fangli Hu, who contributed to this research, as quoted in a news release.
READ: Here’s why traveling is good for your mental health
It’s true that travel often encourages physical activity, whether it’s swimming, walking or cycling. Some people even take the opportunity to try out new activities, such as yoga or stand-up paddleboarding. According to this research, exposure to new environments and a variety of activities “can stimulate stress responses and elevate metabolic rates, positively influencing metabolic activities and the body’s self-organizing capabilities.” Researchers likewise noted that this “may also trigger an adaptive immune system response.”
Fangli Hu explained: “Put simply, the self-defense system becomes more resilient. Hormones conducive to tissue repair and regeneration may be released and promote the self-healing system’s functioning.”
In addition, the positive effects of physical activity on the body are well known, from improving blood circulation to maintaining muscles and joints. Some might contradict these revelations, claiming that travel is also a high-risk situation for contracting diseases, particularly when visiting countries plagued by malaria or yellow fever. Not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic, food poisoning, etc. But viruses and bacteria are not necessarily the first dangers that could hamper these conclusions.
READ: Why traveling is always a good idea
For a trip to be beneficial in slowing down the aging process, it has to be a success, or in this case, a positive experience. So that trip where you ended up stranded on the side of the road in a country unknown to you may not have had any positive impact – quite the contrary! “Tourism can involve negative experiences that potentially lead to health problems,” the researchers add.
Note that travel doesn’t have to mean jetting off somewhere far-flung. In the context of global warming, it’s perfectly possible to get away from it all by train, without having to travel far from home, all while enjoying a change of scenery that could have a positive impact on slowing down the aging process.
Has your other half had enough of your insatiable desire to make vacation plans? It’s like, as soon as you land, you can’t stop yourself from booking the next getaway. Now, you can tell them that science is on your side.