Can Travel Keep You Young?

Could frequent holidays be a prescription for better all-round health? Let’s explore how travel may be a meaningful way to help keep you young.

There’s no doubt that travel boosts your body, brain and mental wellbeing.

All these things help you age better. It’s not just about your physical health, although obviously that’s important. It’s also all about having an open attitude to life. That’s what keeps you curious. And it’s what makes life interesting, whatever stage you’re at.

“It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” Gabriel Garcia Márquez

Travel keeps your body healthy

You’ll hardly be surprised that travel improves your physical health. Firstly, when you travel, you often find more opportunities to be active.

Travel also seems to offer some protection against chronic diseases. In particular, those diseases that are more common as we age.

For holiday-lovers, there’s good news. The more often the better!

Science shows that holiday travel could reduce heart attack risk. In one study [link1] , women who holidayed infrequently (every six years or less) had a significantly higher risk of heart attack than women who holidayed at least twice a year.

It’s a similar story for men. In another study [link 2], men who didn’t take an annual holiday had a 20% higher risk of death. They also had a 30% greater risk of death from heart disease.

Could travel boost your brain health too?

Travel doesn’t just help your body age better. Holidays keep you on your toes cognitively too. Leisure and
social pursuits like travel have been associated with lower dementia risk.

Should you put down the crossword and pick up a travel brochure instead?

Good news here too. Travel offers a similar boost to brain function as puzzles or cultural trips to museums.

In fact, it might be even better for you. A study in the Journal of Leisure Studies found that travel had a greater positive effect for older people than arts and cultural activities.

You can optimise the effect by practising a different language while you’re away. Maybe pick up the French you learnt at school? Or try learning a new language at evening classes or with an online app like Duolingo. https://www.duolingo.com/

Travel is good for your body & brain. What about your mind?  

Both physical health and brain function have an impact on your mental wellbeing too.

A 2020 National Academy of Sciences study [link 3] found that social isolation or loneliness put older adults at higher risk of developing serious medical conditions.

For older people who are willing and able, travel nurtures mental wellbeing by reducing those feelings of isolation. As a traveller, you feel the social perk of meeting new people, spending quality time with companions, or even throwing yourself into group activities.

You can also reap the benefits of lower stress and anxiety.

Most of us feel more relaxed when we travel. But this can start even before you pick up your passport. Never underestimate the pleasure potential of anticipating a trip. Planning a holiday can lift your spirits.

Then once you’re home, memories of your trip keep you smiling long afterwards too. If you keep a travel journal or create a photo album, you’ll also be able to relive the joy with friends and family.  

Travel can give your life more purpose

Depending on the type of trip you choose, travel can give you a sense of purpose. For example, a volunteering
holiday is likely to make you feel a positive sense of belonging.

Not only do you feel the wonder of nature or cultural heritage in a beautiful new place, you also appreciate the new people you meet.

Travel opens up your mind to new persectives

Once you open up to new ideas, activities and people, you become more curious and engaged with the world outside your hometown. Especially if you make an effort to look outside typical tourist activities and
actively engage with local people.

Freebird Club travellers can connect with locals on the ground, or even stay with welcoming local hosts, meaning that both parties get a social lift from interacting.

Different cultures broaden your horizons. You might even feel more creative, or have more ideas. Or simply feel more connected to the people you come across.

All of this makes you feel more engaged and alive.

A curious thing happens when you cross geographical borders. Psychologically, your identity gets refreshed. 

When you leave your own country for another, you can feel like a different person. You get to try on new identities and fresh routines. Daily obligations fade away, and you experiment with new ways of passing the time. That experience with openness and noveltywhen you travel makes you a more interesting person to spend time with, evenafter you arrive back home. 

Can travel really make you a more interesting person? 

Sure it can. Regular travel makes you stand out as a more confident and memorable person. 

Many older people agree that they’re not ready to slow down. Maybe you’re happy to rebel against the stereotypes of ageing too? 

And why on earth should you stop having adventures? 

Not when travel has such positive effects on your body, mind and spirit.