Researchers from Edith Cowan University say positive travel experiences may help support resilience, cognitive engagement and healthy aging by combining several lifestyle factors linked to long-term well-being.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Travel may do more than offer a break from daily routines, according to a new interdisciplinary paper suggesting that positive travel experiences could help support brain health and healthy aging.
The paper, published in Tourism Review by researchers from Edith Cowan University, reviewed evidence from tourism, health, psychology and physiology research to examine whether travel may help the body resist biological decline. The findings were reported by ScienceDaily on May 4, 2026.
Researchers built their framework around the concept of entropy, the natural movement of systems from order toward disorder. Applied to human health, the authors said aging reflects a gradual loss of biological order and resilience.
“Aging, as a process, is irreversible. While it can’t be stopped, it can be slowed,” the researchers wrote, according to the report.
The paper proposed that positive travel experiences may help slow that process by activating several health-supporting systems at the same time. Travel that includes physical activity, novelty, relaxation, nature exposure and social interaction may help the body maintain a more balanced and resilient state, the authors said.
Negative travel experiences, including chronic stress or unsafe environments, could have the opposite effect and contribute to disorder, according to the review.
The researchers said travel’s possible health effects should be viewed through a broad, multi-factor framework rather than through one isolated benefit. A single trip may involve walking, problem-solving, social connection, exposure to new surroundings and a temporary reduction in routine stress.
Those combined factors may be important for healthy aging.
Exploring a new city, for example, can require physical movement, navigation, memory use and decision-making. New environments may challenge the brain to pay attention, adapt and form fresh memories. Social interaction during travel may also help regulate stress responses.
The review connected those factors to broader research on longevity and cognitive health. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol have been linked to reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, and damage to areas of the brain such as the hippocampus, according to information cited from the book “Genius Foods” by Max Lugavere.
The paper also referenced “blue zones,” regions known for high concentrations of centenarians, as examples of how movement, social bonds and purpose are associated with longevity. Adequate sleep, which may improve during some types of travel, also plays a role in cognitive and physical recovery, according to the information provided.
The researchers emphasized that potential benefits are not limited to expensive vacations or international trips. The same mechanisms identified in the paper can be found in lower-cost activities such as weekend hikes, museum visits, day trips, time in nature or exploring an unfamiliar neighborhood.
The key, according to the study, is not the distance traveled but whether the experience creates novelty, movement, connection and engagement.
“It’s not about collecting passport stamps,” the researchers wrote, “but about engaging with the world in new ways.”
The authors said travel may remain accessible for older adults through programs designed around different fitness levels and needs. ElderTreks, an adventure-travel company for people age 50 and older, was cited in Martha Stewart’s book “Living the Good Long Life” as an example of travel designed for older adults.
The study expands the idea of what may count as a health-supporting habit. While diet and exercise remain central to long-term wellness, the researchers said travel may also contribute when it encourages walking, learning, social contact and a break from routine.
The authors did not describe travel as a cure for aging or a guaranteed path to longer life. Instead, they said positive travel experiences may be one way to support resilience and healthy functioning over time.
More research is needed to measure how different forms of travel affect biological aging and to determine which activities provide the strongest benefits. For now, the paper suggests that travel, especially when it includes movement, curiosity, rest and connection, may be part of a broader approach to maintaining brain health and overall well-being.
Source: Natural News
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