Edith Cowan University researchers have identified that people who travel could slow down their rate of ageing, allowing them to do more of the activities they enjoy for longer.
Researchers of the recently published study, The Principle of Entropy Increase: A Novel View of How Tourism Influences Human Health, explored the impact of tourism and travel on overall health of participants, possibly identifying a way to slow ageing.
One of the study’s researchers, PhD candidate Ms Fangli Hu, highlighted that travel can have benefits but it’s not a one-stop-shop as an ageless remedy, in an interview with Edith Cowan University Newsroom.
“Ageing, as a process, is irreversible. While it can’t be stopped, it can be slowed down,” she said.
“Tourism isn’t just about leisure and recreation. It could also contribute to people’s physical and mental health.”
The benefits of travelling and exploring new places can include:
Ms Hu explained that it’s not only the impact of travelling but also the reality of participating in leisure activities that is beneficial.
“Leisurely travel activities might help alleviate chronic stress, dampen overactivation of the immune system and encourage normal functioning of the self-defence system,” she said.
“Engaging in recreation potentially releases tension and fatigue in the muscles and joints.
“[…] Physical exercise may also improve blood circulation, expedite nutrient transport, and aid waste elimination to collectively maintain an active self-healing system.
“Moderate exercise is beneficial to the bones, muscles, and joints in addition to supporting the body’s anti–wear-and-tear system.”
Based on the researchers’ findings, aged care workers may want to consider travelling during their annual leave periods, even if it is just for a short break away from the day-to-day hustle and bustle.
Approximately 370,000 people are employed in Australian aged care homes and services including residential aged care facilities, home care and the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Ms Hu suggested that although there may be benefits of travelling for Australians, possible negative effects could outweigh these for some people with health concerns or stresses.
“[…] Tourism can involve negative experiences that potentially lead to health problems, paralleling the process of promoting entropy increase. A prominent example is the public health crisis of COVID-19,” she said.
According to the researchers, the phrase ‘entropy increase’ describes ‘a natural progression from order to disorder.’
While aged care workers may benefit from holidays where they explore the world, similar benefits may also improve the well-being of the older people they care for in residential care facilities.
For some older Australians, travelling overseas or even across the country isn’t possible due to financial or health concerns.
Some people can also experience ‘travel-related stress [that] can spark mood changes, depression and anxiety,’ as per information on the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Despite problems associated with travelling, older Australians in aged care homes can still participate in new experiences organised by providers, aged care workers or family members.
Evidence suggests that spending time in nature has health benefits for both mental and physical health. Participating in physical activities such as gardening can facilitate movement and conversations between residents and aged care workers.
Other possible activities to engage older people in physical activity include lawn bowls, walks and tai chi.
Improving the mental well-being of residents is also a valuable use of time and may incorporate art therapy. Completing an activity in a communal area of the aged care home can help facilitate communication and may reduce the likelihood of loneliness.
Loneliness was reported by approximately 20 percent of Australians aged 75 years or over, so increasing activities that encourage friendship and conversations could improve this.
While these activities may assist older Australians in aged care homes to connect with others and improve their physical health, assessing the abilities and desires of individual residents is important to ensure autonomy and independence are retained.
Around 456,000 Australians live in residential care or use aged care services, including 193,000 Australians who live in permanent or respite residential care, according to recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
