{"id":30004,"date":"2026-05-29T15:08:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T15:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/?p=30004"},"modified":"2026-05-29T15:08:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T15:08:59","slug":"how-travel-can-help-us-live-longer-and-fight-ageing-according-to-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/?p=30004","title":{"rendered":"How Travel Can Help Us Live Longer and Fight Ageing, According to Science"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I\u2019ve been writing about travel<\/a> for years, and I\u2019ll admit to being a travel addict. The moment I set foot in an airport, I smile. As a nomad by vocation, I\u2019ve always been aware of the formative and educational value of travel: discovering new destinations opens the mind; stimulates curiosity, creativity, and our imaginations; exposes us to different ways of life; teaches tolerance; and trains us to live lightly. When in transit, you can achieve an almost Zen-like attitude when it comes to possessions and mishaps.<\/p>\n

But a different aspect of travel has been highlighted by several recent studies: Travel is also good for the body, according to a study published in the Journal of Travel Research<\/em><\/a>, if it\u2019s done the right way. We\u2019re not talking about the weight-training benefits of lifting suitcases, but how travel more broadly can have a positive impact on our overall health, while preventing premature aging. In short, it\u2019s a longevity-boosting practice that can extend our lives while benefiting our mental health. But how? And why? And are there any tips and tricks for planning and executing the perfect anti-aging trip?<\/p>\n

A new study claims that traveling extends life<\/h2>\n

Conducted by Fangli Hu, a PhD candidate at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, the study argues that instead of retinol creams, travel may be the best way to combat premature aging.<\/p>\n

\u201cTourism isn\u2019t just about leisure and recreation,\u201d says Hu. \u201cIt could also contribute to people\u2019s physical and mental health.\u201d In short, travel could become a real form of therapy. \u201cTourism typically exposes people to new surroundings and relaxing activities, and novel settings can stimulate stress responses and elevate metabolic rates, positively influencing metabolic activities and the body\u2019s self-organizing capabilities. These contexts may also trigger an adaptive immune system response,\u201d the ECU Newsroom reported in a story covering the study.<\/p>\n

4 major longevity benefits of travel<\/h2>\n

Travel encourages socializing, which keeps our brains young<\/p>\n

Much research regarding the Blue Zones<\/a> of the world, where the social calendars of centenarians are packed, points to one conclusion: A rich social life is one of the keys to a long, healthy life. Travel provides opportunities to meet people, learn languages, and try new activities. All of this creates new pathways between the brain\u2019s neurons, improving cerebral neuroplasticity and preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. It\u2019s clear that these rewards are part of why many people choose to travel. According to a survey conducted by Amadeus, 41% of travelers hope to return home with a \u201ccalmer nervous system,\u201d while others describe their goal as having a \u201crefreshed brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

It offers new opportunities for physical activity<\/p>\n

When traveling, we often try our hand at new activities: we go for walks, ski, hike, and climb mountains; at a resort, we might try aqua aerobics or yoga; at the beach, we\u2019ll swim, stand-up paddleboard, surf, or join a windsurfing class. The combination of physical activity and being in the great outdoors gives the body a boost of vitality. Exercise also strengthens muscles that lose mass with age, helping us stay strong and flexible.<\/p>\n

Travel strengthens the immune system and improves circulation<\/p>\n

\u201cParticipating in [physical] activities could enhance the body\u2019s immune function and self-defense 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\u2019s anti\u2013wear-and-tear system,\u201d says Hu.<\/p>\n

Travel lowers stress (and cortisol) levels<\/p>\n

According to the study, leisure travel can also help alleviate chronic stress, one of the key factors in premature aging. Stepping away from our usual routines in a different setting, far from our commitments and deadlines, can give us a sense of calm, detachment, and tranquility. Ideally, this will take place immersed in nature, the quintessential stress-relieving environment. In those situations, levels of stress hormone cortisol drop while those of serotonin and endorphins rise. The important thing is to be able to completely unplug, leaving worries at home. Stress-relieving travel can also slow the shortening of telomeres, one of the indicators of biological age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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I\u2019ve been writing about travel for years, and I\u2019ll admit to being a travel addict. The moment I set foot in an airport, I smile. As a nomad by vocation, I\u2019ve always been aware of the formative and educational value…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30005,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[125],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fashion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30004"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30004\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hunthow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}