Can travel really slow-down aging? Research says it can

Can travel really slow-down aging? Research says it can
Sofia Geraghty
By Sofia Geraghty


Avid travellers will know that a good trip can have you feeling sprightly, excited and liberated. Some may even say that they feel young again. But can travel slow down aging? Research suggests so.

Research from the Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia has found that travel could be one of the best ways to slow down premature aging.

For the first time, a study has looked at the relationship between entropy (the move towards aging) and travelling.

The study suggests that travel can impact the process of aging with positive experiences mitigating entropy and enhancing health. Before you get too excited, bad experiences can negatively impact entropy.

“Ageing, as a process, is irreversible. While it can’t be stopped, it can be slowed down,” ECU PhD candidate Ms Fangli Hu said.

Hu added that a positive travel experience could enhance someone’s health through exposure to novel environments and engagement in physical activities and social interaction.

Activities such as wellness tourism and yoga acknowledge this, Hu added.

“Tourism isn’t just about leisure and recreation. It could also contribute to people’s physical and mental health,” Ms Hu added.

According to the study, because tourism exposes people to new things and relaxing activities this can stimulate stress responses and increase metabolic rates which has a positive influence on metabolic activities.

“Put simply, the self-defence system becomes more resilient. Hormones conducive to tissue repair and regeneration may be released and promote the self-healing system’s functioning,” Hu said.

Travel that includes exercise such as hiking, climbing or walking can be particularly beneficial.

“Participating in these activities could enhance the body’s immune function and self-defence capabilities, bolstering its hardiness to external risks. Physical exercise may also improve blood circulation, expedite nutrient transport, and aid waste elimination to collectively maintain an active self-healing system. Moderate exercise is beneficial to the bones, muscles, and joints in addition to supporting the body’s anti-wear-and-tear system.”

Feature image: IMG2G.com

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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