The health benefits of travel

For decades, Americans have strived to remain fit and healthy as they aged so that they could reap the benefits and luxuries of travel in retirement. However, new studies are finding that the inverse also rings true – regular travel can actually promote healthy aging. By stimulating your mind, keeping your body active and providing new challenges and opportunities, travel has been shown to reduce stress, increase productivity, foster brain health, boost fitness and promote overall well-being as you grow older. Best of all, taking your vacation at the transformative Pritikin Longevity Center with a wellness retreat will keep the health benefits rolling in for years to come.

Promotes healthy aging

Inspired by emerging reports and research highlighting the increasing benefits of travel for one's health, the Global Coalition on Aging recently set out to explore just how trips away from home can impact the healthy aging process. The resulting white paper, “Destination: Healthy Aging: The Physical, Cognitive and Social Benefits of Travel,” reported that similar to engaging in regular physical activity and eating right, traveling is another factor that can positively impact your overall health and well-being.

By reducing stress, travel can promote longevity as long-term effects of stress have been found to not only be detrimental to physical and mental health but to also increase the aging process. The physical and mental activities that are often associated with travel can lower the risk of disease and increase cognitive function. The white paper reported that:

• Men who did not take an annual vacation had a 30 percent greater risk of dying from heart disease.
• Women who took vacations at least twice annually were notably less likely to have a heart attack or coronary death, compared to those who vacationed only every six years.
• The risk of Alzheimer's disease has been found to be reduced by 47 percent through many of the ordinary activities often associated with travel.

And what's more, travel is packed full of new experiences, different environments and prolonged happiness – all of which can be attributed to both mental and physical health. At Pritikin, you'll have the opportunity to examine all of this as well directly address your risk of heart disease. In fact, the Pritikin Program has been found to halt the progression of coronary heart disease, which significantly reduces your risk of heart attack.

Reduces stress

It's no coincidence that the phrase “I need a vacation,” is so often uttered throughout hectic office spaces, from the desks of those dealing with an overwhelming amount of stress. The reduction of stress as a result of taking a vacation has long been acknowledged as one of the top benefits of travel. Stepping away from your work and the ensuing emails, reports and responsibilities for even a few days can allow the mind to rest. This was confirmed with the GCOA's finding that after just a day or two of vacation, 89 percent of individuals studied were able to relax and push aside work-related stress.

Increases productivity

Escaping from the real world and taking a vacation often provides much-needed rest, increases your mood and gives you free time to do the things you enjoy most. But contrary to popular belief, the benefits of travel are not short-lived. According to new findings from the U.S. Travel Association's multi-year, multimillion dollar research and marketing campaign the Travel Effect, those who take time

off of work return more productive and have higher morale. In fact, 61 percent of American workers reported higher satisfaction at the office after taking vacation time. Managers and bosses understand the importance of time off too – more than 90 percent of senior business leaders believed that employees returned from time off with more energy and motivation.

After a two-week getaway at Pritikin, you'll return to the office feeling relaxed, refreshed and on the path to optimal health – talk about productivity!

Fosters brain health

Research has shown that travel can boost cognitive function, according to the GCOA. The organization's research detailed that the activities, necessary thinking and stimulation often associated with travel have been linked to promoting brain health. Travel allows for new challenges and novelty surroundings, constantly keep you on your toes. Simply escaping from your mundane routine of familiar environments will foster healthy brain function. 

From cooking classes and nutrition workshops, to wellness education classes and lectures, you'll be gaining a wealth of knowledge from registered dietitians, doctors, exercise experts and lifestyle counselors during your time at Pritikin.

Boosts fitness

While not all vacations include an exclusive fitness program such as the one offered at Pritikin Longevity Center, those who travel will likely be getting more exercise than they would by sitting at their desk all day, asserted the Huffington Post. Sight-seeing, engaging in outdoor activities and exploring on foot while on vacation keep you moving and active. And if you're looking for something more, these days there are a number of weight-loss and fitness retreats to embark on. At Pritikin, you'll get hands-on guidance from fitness experts as they guide you through your own personal fitness regimen.

Perhaps one day instead of detailing what dosage of pills you need to take, your doctor will prescribe you two weeks of travel. Beat him to the punch and book your next wellness retreat today.