Hitting the open road famously enables grey nomads to see some incredible countryside, meet some amazing people, and learn a lot about themselves and about Australia … and now it seems it might actually help them get younger, too!
New research from WA’s Edith Cowan University (ECU) has shown travel is one of the most effective ways of defying premature ageing.
For the first time, an interdisciplinary study has applied the theory of entropy – defined as the general trend of the universe towards death and disorder – to tourism.
The research suggests tourism could trigger entropy changes, whereby positive experiences might mitigate entropy increase and enhance health, while negative experiences may contribute to entropy increase and compromise health.
As young as you feel! Can the grey nomad lifestyle really stop the ageing process? PIC: KounG / Pixabay
“Ageing, as a process, is irreversible,” said ECU PhD candidate, Fangli Hu. “But while it can’t be stopped, it can be slowed down.”
Ms Hu said good travel experiences like exposure to novel environments, engagement in physical activities, social interaction, and the fostering of positive emotions could stimulate stress responses, positively influencing metabolic activities and the body’s self-organising capabilities.
She said these contexts may also trigger an adaptive immune system response, and improve the body’s ability to perceive and defend itself against external threats.
“Put simply, the self-defence system becomes more resilient; hormones conducive to tissue repair and regeneration may be released and promote the self-healing system’s functioning,” Ms Hu said. “Leisurely travel activities might help alleviate chronic stress, dampen overactivation of the immune system, and encourage normal functioning of the self-defence system.”
Furthermore, Ms Hu found that engaging in recreation potentially releases tension and fatigue in the muscles and joints.
“This relief helps maintain the body’s metabolic balance and increases the anti–wear-and tear system’s effectiveness,” she said. “Organs and tissues can then remain in a low-entropy state.”
This academic research is, of course, good news for grey nomads but – for many – it’s simply confirmation of what they already knew.
“I don’t know if I actually get younger when I travel, but I certainly know I get older when I stop,” said veteran camper, Mark David. “On my last two-year Big Lap I felt a million dollars every day and was always out and about doing all manner of exciting things … but, within days of getting home, I was wracked with aches and pains and hit by overwhelming waves of inertia.”
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win one of two double Gold Passes the spectacular Barrington Coast Airshow which will bring the skies over the NSW town of Taree to thrilling life on Saturday, November 9.
Each Double Gold Pass is worth $300
Click here to find out more about GN membership, the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
We feel happy & envigorated when we get home safely from an extended trip