A new study published in the Journal of Travel Research suggests that going on vacation can have a very positive impact on your health. Specifically, it can boost the immune system and slow down signs of aging, which should move taking that trip up on your priority list.
According to the study, which was conducted by researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia, traveling has multiple health benefits. Leisure travel alleviates chronic stress and reduces signs of fatigue in the body. The recreation people engage in during a vacation can ease tension in the muscles and joints, giving the whole body a break.
Why is traveling a great way to slow down aging?
One of the core advantages of traveling is that you get to step away from your daily stress. You can focus on your favorite activities, while also unwinding and relaxing. The novel and positive experiences that we typically have on a vacation help generate more dopamine, improve your metabolic rate and enhance your body’s energy distribution.
We all know how great walking is for our health, but it can be hard to fit in enough walking during our busy everyday lives. But traveling is often an opportunity for doing a lot of walking, or even hiking or biking. That’s great for your blood circulation, as well as your muscles and joints.
Plus, a trip is a great chance to refocus and break through mental health problems. Even if you know you need to relax and destress, it’s hard to do when you’re under immediate, constant pressure. Stress and anxiety can be very bad for our health and well-being. Traveling serves as a reset where you can let that stress go, and this study shows that not only do you mentally benefit, the effect of stress on your body is also reduced.
Part of why we love traveling is experiencing new things, and mental stimulation is also important for our well-being. Having new experiences builds resiliency and protects against the deterioration of our mental faculties.
All of these health benefits of traveling add up to an overall anti-aging effect. Stress contributes to the wear and tear on the body, and all that adds up to the signs of aging that we see. Therefore, taking advantage of any opportunity to travel is well worth it for your overall health and longevity.
How much should we travel to enjoy these benefits?
Any leisurely travel will be helpful, according to Fangli Hu, the study’s lead author. The more often you travel, the more you can benefit. But even if your job only allows you to travel once a year, that will still help your general well-being. The only caveat is that boring or stressful business trips don’t fit the bill. But whether you’re traveling solo, or with the family, you can reap incredible health benefits by taking opportunity of both the relaxing and energizing activities that travel offers.
In conclusion, traveling is a great way to step away from our stressful lives. And, according to this study, it can help us fight signs of aging. While it’s impossible to stop aging, there are ways to slow it down, and traveling seems the ideal way to do it!
