Want to look and feel younger? Go travelling
Ageing is irreversible. From creams to mindfulness, there are plenty of options out there though that promise to keep us looking youthful and spry. There could be an anti-ageing solution that hasn’t been considered yet. That’s because we mostly perceive this potential option as a leisure activity or escape.
Rethink the way we view tourism?
Researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia believe that the best way to defy premature ageing is to go on a recreational trip. In a first, they applied the theory of entropy to tourism. Entropy can be described as a universal trend towards disorder. In this case, entropy concerns our bodies’ gradual decline. Findings published in the ‘Journal of Travel Research’(opens in new window) show that travel could be both good for our health and slow the ageing process. “From an entropy point of view, positive travel experiences could help maintain a low-entropy state (i.e. bodily health) …. Conversely, negative travel experiences could increase entropy and lead to health issues,” state the study authors.
The fountain of youth
Activities during travel such as walking and hiking increase metabolism and boost energy levels. They also improve the body’s immune and self-defence capacities. “Participating in these activities could enhance the body’s immune function and self-defence capabilities, bolstering its hardiness to external risks,” explained ECU PhD candidate Fangli Hu in a news release(opens in new window). “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.” However, the travel experience isn’t all beneficial, added Hu. Travelers have to cope with issues such as unsafe food and drink, infectious diseases and crime. “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.” Could science have finally found another option to defy premature ageing? Why not contemplate this question while planning your next holiday? Don’t forget to pack your anti-ageing products, too.