Can Travelling Improve Your Health?

For many people, travelling is a luxury that can only be indulged in once in a while. But for others, it may be necessary to travel in order to enjoy the several health benefits associated with it.

In ancient times, rich merchants and royalties travel away from their homes to foreign countries in search of restorative air and waters. It was strongly believed that a change of environment has the potential to restore and heal a variety of illnesses. In most cases, when the illness has defied medical solutions, doctors recommend that the patient travel ‘in search of air.’

Modern research has proven that travelling has the potential to improve health, physically, emotionally and mentally. There are certain medical cases that warrant travel, for the change of environment and its restorative properties.

There have been several instances where seriously sick patients experience a positive turnaround in their health status as a result of proper healthcare and the therapeutic process associated with travelling and visiting new places.

Without even knowing it, even those not suffering from any illness enjoy better health and substantive positive changes during the course of their travel or over a longer term.

Sure, there can be a few worrying and stressful moments, but overall, leaving the stress and troubles of your immediate environment can have tremendous health benefits in the following areas:

Improved immunity:

Your body’s immune system contains little proteins called antibodies that protect you from harmful diseases. In fact, research suggests that a small amount of exposure to minor bacteria and dirt can make the body stronger. This essentially means that having new bacteria in your life may not necessarily be a bad thing.

But that is not an excuse to ignore basic hygiene practices and principle when travelling; you should actually keep up your usual physical hygiene practices, wash your hands and use a hand sanitizer after touching exposed surfaces in strange places.

However, when you travel to new places, your body encounters and adapts to thousands of new bacteria, and this in turn makes you stronger. Frequent travellers and tourists often report that long years on the road actually made them stronger, fitter and healthier.

Stress reduction:

Everyone knows that stress kills silently. It raises your blood pressure and can completely overwhelm your physical and mental health. Getting away from the stress and worries of day to day life is extremely important.
Stress inhibits the release of happy hormones in the body. This means it can make you feel and irritated, grouchy and unfriendly. It can also cause sleeplessness, headaches and symptoms of other physical illnesses.
But when you travel, you allow the release of endorphins and dopamine, happy hormones which take over the effects of stress and put you in a better and healthier mood.
There is actual scientific backing to prove that travel can increase your chances at happiness and reduce depression. One study found out that workers are in a better mood and more productive after a travel vacation.
There are a lot of physical and psychosomatic illnesses that occur as a result of chronic stress and even a very short trip can sort this out.

Brain power boost:

The brain is another part of the body that needs constant care. It has the potential to develop and improve over time, but it can also deteriorate as quickly. Mental health is as important as physical health and when your brain feels like it is falling out, travelling can give your brain cells the chance to recharge.

This is particularly so if you compliment your travelling hobby with a health-conscious diet that includes vital ingredients such as ginger that have been scientifically proven to help with cognitive functioning, among other benefits.

When you travel, you meet new people, encounter new cultures and adapt to new and sometimes weird situations. This is good for your brain. It expands your mind, keeps it sharp and helps increase cognitive function.
According to research, there’s a strong connection between travel and improved creativity. The journal of personality and social psychology suggests that people who travel tend to be more emotionally stable and accepting. All the knowledge and experiences you’ll encounter in your travel will help your brain build resilience against most degenerative diseases as you grow old.

Reduction of depression:

Depression is one of the problems affecting a lot of people today. Statistics show that millions of Americans battle with depression every day and try to keep it at bay using any of the common antidepressants. Sick and bedridden people tend to struggle with depression more than healthy people and this can adversely affect their healing process. Luckily, apart from taking antidepressants, there is one method that has been scientifically proven to combat depression: Vacationing more.

A study done in Wisconsin found out that women who go on vacation at least twice in one year are less likely to suffer from chronic stress and depression that those who vacation for less or not at all.

Travel presents an opportunity for patients to escape the hopelessness and depression brought about by their state of health, and in most cases, it can bring about a positive reaction to medication and treatment.

Lessening of the risk of heart disease:

Heart diseases generally arise from complications caused by blocked blood vessels. This can cause cardiac arrest, heart defects, stroke and many other heart-related complications.

There are also a lot of other factors that can lead to heart diseases, so it may require more effort, a healthy nutrition, constant exercises and certain lifestyle change to prevent it.

Stress is a huge contributor to the prevalence of heart diseases as it leads to an increase in blood pressure and increase in blood sugar levels that can slowly weaken the body.

Studies have shown that men who work for at least 7 years straight without taking any form of vacation are at a higher risk of heart disease. Another study showed that women who took a vacation more than once in a year are less likely to suffer from myocardial infarction and coronary death, compared to those who vacation for less.
When you travel, you engage in activities and physical tasks which provide some form of exercise that keeps the heart and body strong.

Conclusion

These points scientifically prove that travel can have a lot of benefits to the health. If, however, you are travelling to recover from an illness, surgery or long hospital stay, it is advisable you go along with a healthcare practitioner – someone who is qualified to take care of your health needs as you recuperate on your trip.