JOONDALUP, Australia (WKRC) – A study found that travelling could actually slow down signs of aging through a myriad of small physical and mental improvements.
Researchers from the Edith Cowan University in Australia found that travelling and vacationing may have positive effects on mental and physical health and may even slow signs of aging.
“Aging, as a process, is irreversible,” said Fangli Hu, one of the researchers behind the study. “While it can’t be stopped, it can be slowed down.”
According to the researchers, tourism “exposes people to new surroundings and relaxing activities, and novel settings can stimulate stress responses and elevate metabolic rates,” improving both mental and physical health.
“Put simply, the self-defense system becomes more resilient,” Hu said. “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-defense system,” Hu continued. “Engaging in recreation potentially releases tension and fatigue in the muscles and joints.”
The researchers also mention that many vacations include hiking, walking, or other physical activities that inherently provide physical health benefits.
Still, the study acknowledges that vacationing opens up opportunities for “infectious diseases, accidents, injuries, violence, water and food safety issues,” and other unexpected problems.
What do you think? Will you be hanging up the retinol creams in exchange for a one-way plane ticket?
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