Travel slows ageing and boosts our health according to a new research study – just in case you needed an excuse to travel more. It seems travel really is the best medicine and might be the best defence against ageing, helping to alleviate chronic stress, dampen over-activation of our immune systems, release tension and fatigue in muscles and joints, and even defy premature ageing.
With the world in such a grim state – from the global cost of living crisis, and alarming rate of climate change, to an increasing number of armed conflicts – it might be a surprise to learn that more and more people are increasingly pre-occupied with living longer and looking younger, some to the point of pathological obsession according to multiple studies.
As a travel writer, one new research study revealing that travel slows ageing and boosts our health and well-being, caught my attention. Recently published in the Journal of Travel Research, the interdisciplinary study focused on entropy and tourism and travel’s ability to improve health.
The researchers applied the theory of entropy to tourism – entropy is defined as “the general trend of the universe towards death and disorder” – and found that positive travel experiences improve health and well-being, thereby mitigating entropy. So the future is not all doom and gloom.
While many of us already believe travel is good for us – particularly those of us who’ve made a career writing about travel and encouraging you all to travel more! – it’s comforting to know that research supports that. Eager to learn more, I interviewed one of the authors of the research study, doctoral student Fangli Hu of Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia.
Travel Slows Ageing and Boosts Health According to a New Research Study
We interview researcher Fangli Hu, one of the co-authors of the new interdisciplinary study on entropy, tourism and its ability to slow ageing and improve health and well-being.
Q. Your research study reveals that travel slows ageing, that it plays a role in reducing premature ageing, and helping us all to stay healthier. Tell us more.
A. Yes, our research suggests that as part of healthy lifestyles, travel could potentially contribute to physical and mental health, thereby promoting healthy ageing. Being in new environments, especially therapeutic landscapes like forests or beaches, could help reduce stress and boosts mental well-being. Travel promotes physical activity, such as walking, hiking, or cycling, which enhances cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall well-being.
It could also foster social interaction, whether with locals or travel companions, which can improve mood, reduce feelings of loneliness, and enhance cognitive function. Additionally, travel could lead to healthier eating as we try fresh local foods. Plus, supporting facilities like wellness centres and outdoor spaces make it easier to stay active and relaxed. Overall, travel might offer a valuable opportunity to nurture both physical and mental health.
Q. Do you think people will take some comfort in your findings amidst so much gloom in the world?
A. Absolutely, I believe this news could offer some comfort in a time when the world feels quite challenging. Knowing the potential health benefits of travel might inspire people to consider incorporating more travel into their lives. It could encourage individuals to plan their next trip and perhaps travel more frequently.
Our hope is that this research can motivate people to see travel not just as a leisure and recreation activity, but as a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle. By embracing the possible health benefits of travel, people might find new ways to improve their well-being and bring more enjoyment to their lives.
Q. Your research is timely. I’ve noticed an increasing interest in longevity, death, and slowing the ageing process, especially in the Australian media. On television alone, there’s been Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless, ABC’s How to Live Longer, Tracy Grimshaw and Dr Nick Hemsworth’s Do You Want to Live Forever?, and Ray Martin’s The Last Goodbye. Why is there so much interest right now in staying young, preparing for death, and even defying death?
A. As our research suggests, the principle of ‘entropy increase’ indicates systems naturally tend toward higher levels of disorder or entropy. This fundamental principle applies to the life development and ageing process, where health inevitably transitions to illness and eventually death. While this process is irreversible, it can be slowed or mitigated through various means, which naturally sparks human curiosity about how to manage and potentially delay ageing.
As we are currently in a rapidly ageing society, there is a heightened awareness of the need to address issues related to health and longevity. People are increasingly interested in finding ways to extend their healthy years and improve their well-being. This societal focus is reflected in the media’s coverage of these topics. The emphasis on staying young and living healthier lives resonates with a universal desire to maximise health span and improve our quality of life despite the inevitable nature of ageing.
Q. You use the term “travel therapy”. What does that mean exactly? How can people incorporate travel therapy into lives?
A. ‘Travel therapy’ is about harnessing the potential benefits of travel to improve health and well-being. It’s a new concept that refers to a therapeutic approach that enhances people’s physical and mental health and well-being through positive travel experiences. Just as music therapy and art therapy are used as non-pharmacological interventions, travel therapy may fulfil a similar role. It potentially contributes to the health and well-being of a range of populations, such as those in good health, in suboptimal health or with diagnosed health conditions.
Incorporating travel therapy into a routine doesn’t necessarily mean people need to take long vacations. It can be as simple as planning short getaways, taking day trips to new places, or even enjoying local attractions. The key is to choose appropriate tourism engagement based on personal preferences and health status to ensure they’re positive tourism experiences. For those with health conditions, it’s particularly important to seek recommendations from medical professionals, who may even prescribe tourism activities as part of a holistic health plan.
Q. Is an annual holiday enough? Is an overseas trip better than more frequent travel closer to home?
A. The ideal travel frequency and type really depends on each person’s situation and needs. There is no-one-size-fits-all approach. An annual holiday could be beneficial, but for some, more regular short getaways might provide even greater benefits. It doesn’t have to be an international trip; local travel or weekend escapes might work well too.
The key is to tailor travel plans to what best suits individuals’ lifestyle, personal preferences, and health status. Regularly engaging in travel or new experiences could potentially enhance well-being, but the specific approach should be based on what works best for individuals.
Q. Many countries, including Australia, are experiencing a cost-of-living crisis. Times are tough for many. Not everyone can afford to take big trips overseas. Are local travel and experiential travel the answer?
A. Yes, definitely. I think those forms of travel can be wonderful alternatives for those who are mindful of budget constraints. They allow people to explore their own communities or nearby areas, engage in meaningful activities, and connect with local culture and nature, potentially enhancing health and well-being. For individuals with health conditions who might find long-distance travel challenging, these shorter, more affordable options are particularly beneficial.
Q. As a kid growing up in Sydney, my parents took us somewhere every weekend – a drive to the Blue Mountains or to one of Sydney’s beaches, into the city to the art gallery or the zoo or we took the ferry to Manly. Should parents make a habit of undertaking this kind of ‘small travel’ to inculcate ‘travel therapy’ into their children’s lives?
A. Yes, I believe encouraging “small travel” could be quite beneficial, especially for children and even for friends who might be more sedentary. It’s not about instilling a concept but rather gently encouraging exploration and engagement with new experiences. These small trips, like weekend drives or visits to nearby attractions, can foster a sense of adventure, curiosity, and connection to nature and culture. Such activities could potentially positively impact both physical and mental health, promoting a healthy, active lifestyle without feeling pressured.
Q. When did you first travel?
A. I first started travelling with my family when I was quite young. My parents weren’t what you would call enthusiastic travellers, but they did take us on trips whenever possible. Whether it was visiting nearby towns or going on longer journeys during holidays, travel was definitely a part of my life growing up. These early experiences sparked my curiosity and appreciation for exploring new places, which likely influenced my later interest in travel’s impact on health and well-being.
Q. Do you incorporate ‘travel therapy’ into your life now?
A. Yes, I do incorporate travel therapy into my life, and as a PhD student, I find it really helps improve my mental health. Haha. I try to travel whenever I can. While I don’t always have time for overseas travel, I often go on daily or weekend trips. These smaller trips allow me to recharge and keep a healthy balance.
Q. Was your research focus just an excuse to travel more or incorporate the study of travel into your life? ;)
A. Who’s to say it’s not a bit of both, haha. I’m glad that I’ve been able to combine my personal interest in travel with my research. It’s a nice bonus to explore how something I love could contribute to individual health and public health.
Q. As a travel writer, when I’m researching and writing about travel I’m transported back to the places I’ve been and experiences I had. Do you think people gain some benefit from researching and planning holidays? Or reading travel literature and watching travel films?
A. These activities allow people to explore new destinations, relive past experiences, and spark a sense of curiosity and excitement about travel. While it’s not the same as physically being there, reading or watching travel content could also offer a sense of escapism and relaxation.
Plus, dynamic forms like travel films or virtual tourism can be particularly immersive, stimulating the senses and providing an engaging experience. By delivering therapeutic landscapes, such as forests or seas, these experiences could create a healing setting that potentially promotes physical and mental health, especially for those unable to travel in person.
Q. So what inspired you to focus your research on travel’s role in slowing ageing and improving health?
A. It started with my own experiences. Travel has always been a way for me to recharge and feel better mentally. As I learned more, I realised that travel could do more than just help people relax; it might play a role in promoting individual health and public health. I’m incredibly lucky to have the chance to explore this intersection of travel and health, supervised by leading experts in this field through my research.
It’s been an exciting journey, seeing how travel could make a real difference in people’s lives, especially when it comes to health and ageing. Seeing how health challenges, including issues related to sedentary lifestyles and dementia, have affected people I know has inspired me to explore how travel might offer benefits in improving health and well-being.
Q. Now you know travel slows ageing and boosts our health, what’s your next area of research?
A. I’m particularly interested in empirically investigating how exactly travel could contribute to the health and well-being of individuals with chronic diseases such as dementia and depression. I’m also intrigued by the potential of virtual tourism as a therapeutic tool, especially for those unable to travel physically. There’s a lot to explore in how different forms of travel, both real and virtual, could potentially contribute to health and well-being.
Q. A question we always get asked: your favourite place in the world?
A. It’s hard to choose just one, but I really like Sanya, China. As someone who enjoys a more relaxed, vacation-style experience rather than high-intensity, checklist-style tourism, Sanya is ideal for me as it provides a relaxing escape with its beautiful beaches and tranquil natural surroundings. Plus, Sanya has plenty of wellness options that making it a wonderful place for a restorative experience.
Q. Your next trip?
A. I’m looking forward to travelling to Tasmania to see the aurora. I hope to explore all of Australia during my PhD years, and Tasmania is a key destination on my list.
Q. Is the gift of travel a good idea?
A. I think it’s a wonderful idea. It offers experiences and memories that can be far more meaningful than physical items. Travel can be incredibly enriching, offering new perspectives, relaxation, adventure, and potential health benefits. We might design a personalised travel itinerary for a destination someone has always wanted to visit, making the experience more special and meaningful. Another option is to provide a travel voucher or gift card that allows people to choose their own journey.
Q. Your top travel tip?
A. Be open to experiences. Sometimes the unplanned moments turn out to be the most memorable ones.
