Our chronological age often does not reflect the way we feel. The old adage of “age is just a number” still holds true. Perhaps traveling can help?
Back in 2016 a study carried out by researchers at Columbia University found that age is not only a number but a state of mind. Their research found that those older people who saw aging as “malleable” did better on memory tests. They were also less influenced by negative stereotypes of old age. Basically, if you are interested in staying young, you need to think like a young person. That may mean doing things young people do, like traveling and perhaps playing for those Jackpot Capital no deposit bonus codes!
What do we know – some background material
Is it possible to actually measure someone’s state of mind? The researchers in the aforementioned study examined the ways in which stereotypes of old age impacted the memory and physical responses of those people taking part in the study. Those people who saw decline as the inevitable consequence of aging did worse on memory tests and had higher blood pressure levels than those who saw aging as something more fluid and malleable.
David Weiss, a researcher, when talking about the study, said “adults who believe age is just a number showed better memory performance, but adults who believed aging is set in stone …had a decrease in memory performance and a strong stress reaction.”
It seems that having negative stereotypes about aging can really impact the health and wellbeing of older people, perhaps even producing self-fulfilling effects. The importance of “thinking young” is something that is important to adopt and hold onto at an early age.
The great news is that while genetics are obviously important, it is your thinking and behavior, together with your lifestyle, that play an even more important role in determining your “real” age. So, on some level, you could say age is a choice. There are many things that you can become involved in that will help you to feel younger, physically and mentally. One of them is travel which has been found to have a real impact to your mental wellbeing.
Traveling enhances the way in which we appreciate all that we have in life.
The way you view things will impact how old you feel. Practicing gratitude is an easy way to increase your positive outlook on life. In psychology circles, gratitude has become a particularly hot topic. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude is linked with higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with life. Travel can aid you in your practice of gratitude. When you travel you get to see into the lives of others and this can increase your feelings of gratitude for the life that you lead. After a trip, even if it was purely for leisure, you will likely return feeling grateful for your bed, your home, your friends and your normal routine.
When you are planning your next trip, perhaps keep the idea of practicing gratitude in mind. Whether you are planning a long- distance holiday abroad or a short trip across the country keep in mind what you have to be grateful for. Think about all the things you have at home and, at the same time, also think about how lucky you are to be able to travel around so freely.
Bruce Northam, a travel writer puts it very succinctly when he says “There’s no doubt travelling has kept my youthful spirit alive. It’s shown me that regardless of where you’re from, odds are we share the same goals – to be useful to ourselves and our families.”
Traveling can help you to step outside of your comfort zone
Stepping outside of your box, or comfort zone can be quite challenging. It can take a lot of work to get you to overcome your feelings of trepidation. Travel is one way of taking you away from your regular routine. Plan a trip to a place you have often thought about, like Disney World or that European city that you have read so much about. On these trips you can experiment with new foods and wines, creating all kinds of adventures, making your life a well-lived one.
And even though some older travelers do tend to go for resorts that are all-inclusive, there are others options to consider. You can browse the web and find yourself an Airbnb instead of that hotel, perhaps rent caravan on wheels and tour different areas by road or join a group of likeminded people and travel together. All these new experiences and adventures will add to your repertoire of skills and give you lots of wonderful memories.
Traveling and keeping fit
We all know that regular physical exercise is a must if you want to keep your body feeling fit and strong. When you travel you are likely to spend more time doing physical activities like walking and exploring, hiking and cycling. Obviously, you have to take care that you do not overstretch yourself and that you know your limitations If you are spending large amounts of your time driving or just sitting around, find time to stop and exercise those muscles. If, on the other hand you are doing more physical activities like hiking, make sure that you take the time to drink and replenish yourself.
Age should not determine how adventurous you can be but it is important to take precautions if you are to make your trip a successful one. Be kind to your body and treat it well and, in return, it will be good to you.
Traveling is not of course a prerequisite to practicing gratitude. You don’t have to travel to do a lot of the things mentioned above. Trying anything new, without even leaving home, can lead you to have feelings of gratitude. However, traveling is an excellent opportunity to embrace a little bit of adventure. It creates a break in your routine and the cycle of “sameness” in which we are all often stuck.
Studies have shown us that being more adventurous and having an open mind will not only help you to feel younger but will actually keep you younger.
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