Grab your suitcase! It’s time to take a break because a new study called ‘The principle of entropy increase: A novel view of how tourism influences human health’ has revealed that travelling can be an anti-ageing tool. New experiences can make you look and feel younger and stimulate the brain, which can help improve cognitive function and slow down the signs of ageing.

 

Travel activities can boost health and wellness.

Summer is fast approaching, and travelling can be fun unless, of course, your flight gets delayed by 12 hours, you lose your suitcase or have a noisy neighbour at your accommodation. Thankfully, the chances of that are slim, and whilst you are fit and able, you should try to get away from your run-of-the-mill everyday life to boost your health and wellness.

When you temporarily leave your world behind and enter a new one for a visit, it can recharge your batteries and slow down the ageing process, returning home as a better version of you.

Going on holiday can be exciting. It gives you something to look forward to. A time to press the reset button and reflect on who you are and where you want to be.

In the summer, the warm sunshine gives you a much-needed dose of vitamin D, and the sound of the waves has a calming effect. A spa break in the forest can be revitalising, and hitting the ski slopes in the winter can give you an adrenaline rush.

Trips away don’t have to be expensive, long or vigorous. A short break can be just as beneficial. It could be a time for bonding, affection or adventures to improve a relationship. A change of scenery can inspire, and trying something new can boost confidence.

 

What is the principle of entropy increase: A novel view of how tourism influences human health?

The new interdisciplinary study was performed at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia. It proved that travel could have a positive effect on health and slow down the signs of ageing.

Download the study here.

 

What is age entropy?

Age entropy refers to the concept that ageing is a process of increasing disorder and molecular damage. It changes your biological system, and bodily functions become less ordered and more random, manifesting functional decline, especially age-related changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. With age, essential things like DNA and cells mutate and accumulate damage, which leads to loss.

There is an increased susceptibility to disease and reduced tissue repair capacity, and sadly, entropy eventually leads to death.

 

Why can travelling trigger entropy changes?

Positive experiences can mitigate entropy changes and enhance physical and mental health. An ECU PhD candidate, Ms Fangli Hu, who was part of the new study, explained, “Ageing is a process, it is irreversible. While it can’t be stopped, it can be slowed down. Tourism isn’t just about leisure and recreation, it contributes to physical and mental health.”

She added that when you travel, the body’s self-defence system can become more resilient. Hormones are released that can help to repair and regenerate cells, promoting self-healing. Engaging in holiday activities can help to alleviate chronic stress, dampen overactivation of the immune system and encourage normal functioning.

Ms Hu discussed the importance of physical activities such as cycling, walking, climbing, and hiking and how that type of activity can help with age entropy.

“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.” So an activity holiday would be just the ticket.

She admits, that not all holidays can be the tonic that you were hoping for. The study also highlighted the ‘challenges’ of travel, such as infectious diseases, accidents, injuries, violence, theft, water and food safety issues can have the opposite effect on your mental health.

She concluded, “Conversely, tourism can involve negative experiences that potentially lead to health problems, paralleling the process of promoting entropy increase. A prominent example is the public health crisis of COVID-19”

 

Why should you make time to travel to slow down the signs of ageing?

Travel is a great distraction from the grind of life. It exposes you to new and novel environments and creates different experiences. It can introduce you to different cultures and allow you to meet new people and interact. Positive experiences trigger hormones that help the body to repair itself, which can boost immunity. A breakaway can lower stress and refresh the mind.

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References

https://www.ecu.edu.au/newsroom/articles/research/travel-could-be-the-best-defence-against-ageing

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/travel-news-health-impacts-tourism#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20study%2C%20many,study’s%20lead%20author%2C%20Fangli%20Hu.