Study reveals that traveling delays aging and improves mental health

If you’ve been wanting to go on holiday for a long time, wait no more. Travelling, according to a new study, is a sure way to delay the ageing process and improve physical and mental health. The research, published in the Journal of Travel ResearchHe is said to be the first to apply the theory of entropy (a general tendency of the universe towards death and disorder) to tourism.

Researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia say that while ageing cannot be stopped completely, there are a number of factors that can slow it down, including travel. “Ageing, as a process, is irreversible. While it cannot be stopped, it can be slowed down,” says Dr Fangli Hu, part of the ECU study group.

According to the team, the positive physical and mental health benefits of traveling, such as exercise and relaxation, help the body delay signs of aging. The benefits of entropy, referred to as the universe’s tendency toward disorder, were also highlighted. “The entropy perspective suggests that tourism could trigger changes in entropy, where positive experiences could mitigate increasing entropy and improve health, while negative experiences may contribute to increasing entropy and compromise health,” the university said.

How does entropy benefit your mental and physical health?

According to scientists, visiting and exploring new places is a positive experience that can improve physical and mental well-being. It helps you get to know new places and environments, increases levels of physical activity and socialisation and encourages positive emotions.

Visiting new places also triggers a response that elevates the body’s metabolic rate, which can also trigger an adaptive immune system response. This immune response “enhances the body’s ability to perceive and defend itself against external threats,” Hu said.

“Simply put, the self-defense system becomes more resilient,” he said. “Hormones can be released that promote tissue repair and regeneration and promote the functioning of the self-healing system.”

Traveling also provides a break from routine, which helps reduce stress levels and offers a fresh perspective that eases anxiety. Experts believe that facing new challenges while traveling strengthens emotional resilience, preparing us to better handle life’s ups and downs. “Leisure activities while traveling can help relieve chronic stress, reduce overactivation of the immune system, and promote normal functioning of the self-defense system,” Hu says.

Other benefits of traveling for mental health

It makes you feel calm

Taking time off work to see new places helps relieve the tension and stress of work life. It allows the mind to relax and heal, as pressure at work can also take a toll on physical health.

Improves mental power

If you suffer from chronic stress, your memory and ability to set goals are negatively affected. So going somewhere new and getting away from work will help you feel more productive and focused when you return.

Increase creativity

Exploring the world boosts creativity. Those who travel more can generate diverse ideas through exposure to new cultures, meeting new people, studying new languages ​​and eating different types of food, all of which are linked to better problem-solving skills.