Could travel be the key to slowing down the signs of ageing?

Jetting off to far-flung, exotic destinations is already tempting enough, but now researchers have found an even better reason to pack your bags: travelling could actually slow the signs of ageing.

A study by researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) explored the link between travel and the ageing process through the lens of entropy – a concept that refers to the universe’s natural tendency toward disorder and death.

According to their findings, positive travel experiences may help counterbalance this disorder, promoting better health and slowing entropy’s effects.

The study found that immersing yourself in new cultures, languages, environments, and engaging in relaxing activities can stimulate stress responses and boost metabolic rates. This, in turn, enhances the body’s ability to self-organise and may even activate an adaptive immune response.

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

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

“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.

“Leisurely travel activities might help alleviate chronic stress, dampen overactivation of the immune system, and encourage normal functioning of the self-defence system. Engaging in recreation potentially releases tension and fatigue in the muscles and joints. This relief helps maintain the body’s metabolic balance and increases the anti–wear-and-tear system’s effectiveness. Organs and tissues can then remain in a low-entropy state.”

During your holiday, you might find yourself hiking, climbing, walking, or cycling. Engaging in these physical activities boosts metabolism, increases energy expenditure, and promotes material transformation, all of which support the body’s self-organising systems.

“Participating in these activities could enhance the body’s immune function and self-defence capabilities, bolstering its hardiness to external risks,” Hu explained.

“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.”

Although travel can offer numerous benefits, Hu emphasises that these advantages are best realised when your travel experience is a positive one.

“Only positive tourism experiences can have potential health benefits,” Hu said.

“Negative ones can lead to health impairment.”

Travel at 60 can help ensure your travel experience is as positive and stress-free as possible.

With Travel at 60, you’ll have a dedicated travel consultant who handles everything from your initial quote to booking and departure documentation. You won’t have to deal with a call centre or speak to multiple people.

You can always reach out to the same consultant, who will assist you throughout the process. Based in Australia, Travel at 60 is a friendly team eager to help you plan your next holiday

-with AAP.