Study says travel good for wellness
A new study from US-based non-profit AARP Travel, which examines the health and wellness benefits of leisure travel, has found that those who travel regularly report improved emotional and physical health and better relationships and productivity at work. The study also found that improved wellness was not just noted during travel, but also during the initial planning of the trip and extending beyond its end. Respondents also reported that their relationships with their loved ones were improved by travel, with an average of an extra six weeks of rosiness reported.
Of the different demographics studied, 56 per cent of ‘boomers’ – i.e. those aged 50 and above – reported that they felt health and wellness benefits during their trip, while 73 per cent noted at least one benefit after a trip ended. One in five said that they experienced an equal amount of wellness benefits before and after their trip. Millennials, meanwhile, experienced more notable improved wellness during the planning stages (23 per cent).
Of the wellness benefits noted by boomers after a trip, 51 per cent reported better sleep, 50 per cent reported more energy, and 46 per cent reported increased energy.
“This research shows there are many health and wellness benefits during all stages of travel across generations, and seeing those benefits significantly improves their satisfaction with the trip,” said Alison Bryant, AARP Research Senior Vice-President. “Any type of travel, whether it's a weekend getaway or a week-long trip, can be an effective way to renew and recharge and the benefits far outweigh the short-lived drawbacks.”