Why Getting Away Is Good For You
Need more justification to take that family road trip or weekend getaway? What if we told you that taking a trip could help you be more productive, protect you from a heart attack, and improve your happiness?
The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS) and the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) released a report called Destination Healthy Aging. The two organizations conducted a comprehensive survey, pulling together current data linking travel to overall well-being. Their goal was to understand the role that travel can play in maintaining health and happiness throughout our lifetimes.
The results? The report shows that using some of our time off to get away can have a very positive impact our well-being.
Here are some of the statistics about travel included in report findings published by TCRS, GCOA, and the US Travel Association.
- The famous Framingham study found that women who vacationed every six years or less had a significantly higher risk of heart attack or coronary death when compared to women who vacationed at least twice a year.
- Another study showed that men who didn’t vacation at least annually had a 20% higher risk of death and 30% greater risk of death from heart disease.
- One survey shows that 89% of people are able to leave the stress of work behind and relax within the first 48 hours of vacation.
- 77% of Americans surveyed say travel improves their physical well-being.
- Those who travel report significantly higher satisfaction with their physical health and well-being than non-travelers.
- In another survey, 78% of American travelers said travel reduces their stress levels.
- 86% of Americans surveyed say travel improves their mood and outlook.
- Another recent survey indicated that 93% of Americans report feeling happier after a vacation.
- A recent U.S. Travel Association study found that multigenerational travel benefits grandchildren as well as grandparents, who cite valuing the opportunity to travel with their grandchildren to help them feel and stay more youthful.
- Regular participation in social or leisure activities, including travel, is associated with a lower risk of subsequent dementia.
- In one survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents reported getting more consistent exercise on trips than they do at home.
- In one survey, 80% of participants claimed that vacations and the activities undertaken on vacations result in greater productivity, energy and focus.
- According to Dr. Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D., ABPP, president and founder of the Brain Health Center, Inc., “Because it challenges the brain with new and different experiences and environments, travel is an important behavior that promotes brain health and builds brain resilience across the lifespan.”
Lastly, there’s one important factor to note: travel can have these health-boosting benefits, as long as travellers strive to set themselves up for a low-stress vacation. That can be easier said than done! For ideas on ways you can minimize travel stress, check out our tips for a balanced vacation, which includes some great resources for reducing stress when traveling.
If you want to view the full TRSC and GCOA report, you can find it here, and you can view report-related fact sheets here and here.
