I didn’t plan my recent trip to Spain as something that might be medically mandated, good for my health, or even help me stave off the aging process. In fact, I had a bit of trepidation about the trip because of the long flight time and the many hours I would be walking about on unaccustomed terrain.
But surprise, surprise! Not only did I have a wonderful time exploring Spain with friends whose home base is Germany, but I also discovered that we had just engaged in an activity that would help us keep a youthful vibe alive a bit longer.
A researcher at Edith Cowan University in western Australia has found “travel could be the best way to defy premature aging.” Ph.D. candidate Fangli Hu published her findings in the Journal of Travel Research.
“The idea of travel potentially delaying the aging process came from the growing recognition of how travel could positively impact physical and mental health,” Hu told Mainstreet Daily News. “Travel offers opportunities for novelty, social interaction, and mental stimulation, which are beneficial for maintaining cognitive function and emotional well-being as people age. Furthermore, it can provide an active and engaging experience, which is particularly important for older adults.”
So, my meanderings through the walled city of Avila in central Spain were intellectually and aesthetically invigorating and meant we might hold onto our youthful verve a bit longer.
“Travel is stimulating — and good for ‘the little gray cells’ as Agatha Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot would say,” said my friend and one of my travel companions, Juan Melendez. “You are in totally new surroundings, learning to navigate different environments and explore new things.”
But that’s not all.
“Being in a different cultural environment is doubly stimulating as you learn about different aspects of humanity’s fascinating variety,” he said. “Or you can just stay rooted in your living room, fiddling with your TV remote and worshipping your smartphone, waiting for… what?”
Ávila, the capital of the Spanish province of the same name, is about a two-hour train ride from Madrid. It’s famous for its intact medieval city walls, which are still walkable in some sections.
It’s the highest provincial capital in Spain at about 4,000 feet in altitude. It’s not that high, but it’s far above Florida’s sea level geography and parking lot topography, so Ávila visitors should plan on walking a lot.
We also spent a few days in Madrid museum-hopping with a focus on El Prado and the Reina Sofia to see Pablo Picasso’s famous oil painting Guernica, depicting the horrors of war. These museums are vast, and seeing their treasures also means much walking.
Before leaving, I feared that the trip might be too much for me. I am still recovering from hip surgery after a fall two years ago, so I walk slower, and stairs are a challenge. I can make it up and down; it just takes me longer than it might take you. But I was willing to give it a try, and it was well worth it, more so now that I know adventures like this may help delay my aging process.
James Moses, president and CEO of Road Scholar, a world leader in travel for older adults, said travel offers extensive benefits.
“We all can become habituated to our routines at home, and routine makes us complacent, which can lead to inflexibility. But, when we travel, we know we must be prepared for anything,” he said. “Travel brings with it a sense of adventure, and that requires adaptability, mental and physical agility, and open-mindedness. These skills get stronger with practice, particularly as we age, and travel helps us become stronger emotionally and intellectually, helping us maintain our independence.”
But as researcher Hu reports, there’s science behind it. When you view the body’s four major systems—the self-organizing system, the self-defense system, the self-healing system, and the anti–wear-and-tear system—she finds these systems collectively contribute to maintaining the body’s low-entropy state or health status.
“Engaging in recreation potentially releases tension and fatigue in the muscles and joints,” Hu said. “This relief helps maintain the body’s metabolic balance and increases the anti–wear-and-tear system’s effectiveness. Organs and tissues can then remain in a low-entropy state.”
Travel also offers a break from everyday pressures, she said, allowing the body to recover and repair, supporting overall immune health.
“Additionally, travel fosters social connections and better sleep, both of which contribute to improved immune responses,” she said. “Ultimately, the physical and psychological benefits of travel work together to make the body more resilient and capable of defending against health issues,” Hu said.
You guessed it. I’m already planning my next trip.
Editor’s note: This is the latest story in Mainstreet’s award-winning Aging Matters series. It was independently reported by Ronnie Lovler and underwritten by Elder Options.
Ronnie Lovler Dec 3, 2024
