vacation • heart • travel • Newsletter • Health & Wellness • 2 min read • Feb 13, 2014 12:00:00 AM • Written by: Kat Smith
You may think that the benefits of travel are the memories you create or the experiences you have while on your journey. However new research shows that the health benefits of travel may endure long after your vacation is over.
Researchers show that travel may lower your risk of heart attack or death from coronary disease. Travel can also keep your brain sharp to lower your risk of dementia in later years. Here are the details of these new findings:
Lower Risk of Heart Attack and Heart Disease
In a 20 year study following women aged 45 to 64, those who vacationed less frequently had significantly higher risks for heart attack or coronary death. Another study tracked a group of men at high risk for heart disease and found that annual vacations reduced their risk of death from heart disease.
Healthier Mind and Lower Risk of Dementia
If the heart-healthy benefits of travel weren’t enough to get you packing your bags, then consider the benefits to your brain. Researchers also identified that activities like traveling are associated with a lower risk of dementia.
How to Plan More Travel Experiences
If you’d like to increase your time spent vacationing, then follow these easy travel-boosting tips below:
Create a Travel Savings Account
In order to take a big trip out of state or out of the country, calculate a savings budget that will get you to your travel goal. Open a savings account and make a plan to contribute a certain amount to it with every paycheck. Soon you will have the funds you need to take a dream trip.
Be A Weekend Warrior
You don’t have to travel far to experience the health benefits of exploring a new location. Use the weekends or your days off from work to take short day or overnight trips to nearby attractions. Consider destinations within five hours driving distance from your home and you may be surprised with the variety of activities and new experiences you have yet to try!
What are your travel goals for this year? How do you plan to fit more trips into your schedule and budget? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
