Can Travel Slow the Aging Process? Research Suggests So

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Autumn is upon us and there are only a few days left in the year, so you better use up those vacation days and PTO while you still can! Taking a much needed trip can have surprising benefits for not just your peace of mind, but your physical health as well.

A new study from Edith Cowan University in Australia reveals that traveling and tourist activities can be beneficial to mental and physical health. Researchers at ECU found that leisurely travel activities and relaxation experienced on vacation can help the body slow down the aging process. The study suggests that travel and tourism could mitigate entropy, which is classified as “the general trend of the universe towards death and disorder.”

Now, that’s not to say that booking a flight means you’ll live forever. The aging process is irreversible and cannot be stopped, no matter how many stamps are on your passport. But researchers say signs of aging such as wrinkles, arthritis, blood pressure, and more can be slowed down through the simple act of travel.

“Tourism isn’t just about leisure and recreation. It could also contribute to people’s physical and mental health,” ECU PhD candidate Fangli Hu said. Traveling allows people to engage in physical activity such as hiking, yoga, walking, and swimming, which ECU researchers found improves blood circulation and helps with nutrient transport and waste elimination.

People who travel often are frequently exposed to new surroundings, positive social interactions, and relaxation which can relieve the body of chronic stress and elevate both mood and metabolic rates which can trigger an adaptive immune system response. “Put simply, the self-defense system becomes more resilient,” Hu said. “Hormones conducive to tissue repair and regeneration may be released and promote the self-healing system’s functioning.”

Regular travel has a positive impact on all aspects of aging from skin tissue, to heart health, even down to the bones. Hu suggests even occasionally participating in the physical act of tourism can be beneficial to the bones, muscles, and joints in addition to supporting the body’s anti–wear-and-tear system. 

Travel also puts tourists at risk of infectious diseases, accidents, injuries, violence, and water and food safety issues. Proper planning is key to ensure that your travel experience will leave you feeling better, not worse. But this study reveals that a vacation could truly change your life for the better. 

“Travel therapy could serve as a groundbreaking health intervention,” the study says.

New Study Reveals Travel Can Slow the Aging Process  was originally published on elev8.com