Travel could be the best defense against aging

[sengsational]

Those who travel also tend to be more affluent, more educated, more healthy… not news that this group lives longer.

And hey the tourism industry finding out that tourism is good for us. Go figure.

I like the way you think!

Have not read the article yet, but my past experience says this fits the selection bias syndrome. Basically, if you aren't healthy enough to travel, you don't travel. Now you are in the non-travel group. From that, we conclude that travel makes us healthy, versus healthy people travel.

The paper is behind a paywall, but from what I can see, they're just floating an idea, not providing data for causality. As in "What if travel keeps you young?"

It's the old trope "If you keep on dancin' you'll never grow old"

 

[Chuckanut]

I find that I eat better at home since there I can make my own meals and have more control over what goes into my food. Not that I eat lousy when traveling (other than quick stops during road trips), but I don’t know for certain what is in even the best restaurant food.

 

[gianmatt]

According to Einstein, time slows down the faster you go. I don't think you'll see a difference, though. Fly from London to New York, and your watch will be a ten-millionth of a second behind one left on the ground.

 

[2017ish]

Interesting article, thanks for sharing.
The article mentions the physicality of travel, ie hiking, etc.
That may be what keeps the body young.
Also, those who travel may tend to have more and better finances, which also tends to lead to healthier folks.

Yep. Definitely some confounding variables. Both the wealth, and as alluded to by others, the getting/staying in shape to be able to do the traveling....

 

[Koolau]

There's no "science" in what I was able to see, so I won't call it "junk science" so I'll just call it, well, "junk."

 

[1242Vintage]

Father-in-law is 98 and still travels solo extensively. He comes home with COVID every time but recovers and heads back out.

He’s an amazing fellow. World War II combat vet, successful and generous man, and FIL.

He will be hitting 99 soon. Go DAD Go.

 

[MarieIG]

Father-in-law is 98 and still travels solo extensively. He comes home with COVID every time but recovers and heads back out.

He’s an amazing fellow. World War II combat vet, successful and generous man, and FIL.

He will be hitting 99 soon. Go DAD Go.

He is totally living his life!

 

[audreyh1]

Father-in-law is 98 and still travels solo extensively. He comes home with COVID every time but recovers and heads back out.

He’s an amazing fellow. World War II combat vet, successful and generous man, and FIL.

He will be hitting 99 soon. Go DAD Go.

He is really blessed that his health including mental acuity are so good at 98/99.

 

[DrRoy]

I saw the article and agree. Travel entails a lot of things that I have seen on independent lists of how to delay aging like using your brain, being active, learning new things, interacting with people, etc.

 

[Koolau]

Father-in-law is 98 and still travels solo extensively. He comes home with COVID every time but recovers and heads back out.

He’s an amazing fellow. World War II combat vet, successful and generous man, and FIL.

He will be hitting 99 soon. Go DAD Go.

Does he stay current on Covid vax?

 

[PatrickA5]

Just got off a flight to Chicago on Southwest to visit my daughter. I had forgotten just how small those seats are, since we have been flying First Class on other carriers for years. The 1 1/2 hour drive from the airport to her house was bumper-to-bumper and nerve wracking. Told DW we are getting way too old to do this kind of travel. I don't think I buy the idea that travel helps you live longer.

 

[kcowan]

Just got back from a mega trip: 4 locations in Ontario cottage country, 4 locations in US east coast. Flying business class and driving a rented Ford Edge. NYC, visiting friends in Asheville, then Charleston and Savannah as places we had not visited yet. First time we have not gone to Europe.

 

[explanade]

Healthy eating and exercise provide the most benefit. Everything else is basically a rounding error.

If travel encourages people to eat better and be more active that's good. But you can be more active and eat better at home, too.

When you travel, it's harder to control the diet though.

Even if you are disciplined, it's hard to find healthy choices in some places.

You're likely to get something that has far more salt and sugar than in the food you'd prepare.

I do get a lot more steps in but at home, I'm walking at a faster pace than when sightseeing on trips.

 

[explanade]

Father-in-law is 98 and still travels solo extensively. He comes home with COVID every time but recovers and heads back out.

He’s an amazing fellow. World War II combat vet, successful and generous man, and FIL.

He will be hitting 99 soon. Go DAD Go.

Very inspirational.

On a lot of my flights, you see some very elderly people being wheeled on and off board the planes.

I don't think they're necessarily flying to go sightsee somewhere but some of the people at popular tourist sites are being pushed on their wheelchairs by younger relatives.

 

[Koolau]

Just got off a flight to Chicago on Southwest to visit my daughter. I had forgotten just how small those seats are, since we have been flying First Class on other carriers for years. The 1 1/2 hour drive from the airport to her house was bumper-to-bumper and nerve wracking. Told DW we are getting way too old to do this kind of travel. I don't think I buy the idea that travel helps you live longer.

Yeah, it just FEELS like you're living longer 'cause everything hurts by the time you've traveled a long distance!

 

[Live Large]

Movement is Medicine Got a 1000 places I’d like to see before I die..not a “bucket” list simply a Book by that title. Fly SW a lot stateside but recently flew back from CR Pura Vida SW thru Houston customs back to CA.
First class a few times got a discount Atlaska.
EVA Air Thailand Air Air China United go with cost considerations international flights…
Moderate pain is a part of life - I Adjust! If your condition is severe pain - that’s difficult.

 

[Live Large]

I like the idea of the 98yr old, my great aunt drove did her thing till 96 never complained we flew to Austin SW she was 95 at the time…
Do it until U can’t makes U live longer? Just Keep LIVIN I was told - health is relative 101 studies can’t explain it all, some just live long!