Science Daily: 'Travel therapy': Could holidays help mental health and wellbeing?
"Many of us will have likely heard of music therapy and art therapy -- but what about 'travel therapy'?
A new cross-disciplinary paper from Edith Cowan University (ECU) proposes we change the way we view tourism, seeing it not just as a recreational experience but as an industry that can provide real health benefits.
The collaboration between ECU's Centre for Precision Health and School of Business and Law found many aspects of going on holiday could have a positive impact on those with mental health issues or conditions.
Lead researcher Dr Jun Wen said the diverse team of tourism, public health and marketing experts investigated how tourism could benefit those living with dementia.
"Medical experts can recommend dementia treatments such as music therapy, exercise, cognitive stimulation, reminiscence therapy, sensory stimulation and adaptations to a patient's mealtimes and environment," Dr Wen said.
"These are all also often found when on holidays.
"This research is among the first to conceptually discuss how these tourism experiences could potentially work as dementia-interventions."
Holiday fun⦠or treatment?
Dr Wen said the varied nature of tourism meant there were many opportunities to incorporate treatments for conditions such as dementia.
For example, being in new environments and having new experiences could provide cognitive and sensory stimulation.
"Exercise has been linked to mental wellbeing and travelling often involves enhanced physical activity, such as more walking," Dr Wen said.
"Mealtimes are often different on holiday: they're usually more social affairs with multiple people and family-style meals have been found to positively influence dementia patients' eating behaviour.
"And then there's the basics like fresh air and sunshine increasing vitamin D and serotonin levels.
"Everything that comes together to represent a holistic tourism experience, makes it easy to see how patients with dementia may benefit from tourism as an intervention."
A shift in thinking
Dr Wen said COVID-19's impact on travel in recent years had raised questions about tourism's value beyond lifestyle and economic factors.
"Tourism has been found to boost physical and psychological wellbeing," he said.
"So, after COVID, it's a good time to identify tourism's place in public health -- and not just for healthy tourists, but vulnerable groups."
Dr Wen said he hoped a new line of collaborative research could begin to examine how tourism can enhance the lives of people with various conditions.
"We're trying to do something new in bridging tourism and health science," he said.
"There will have to be more empirical research and evidence to see if tourism can become one of the medical interventions for different diseases like dementia or depression.
"So, tourism is not just about travelling and having fun; we need to rethink the role tourism plays in modern society.""
*Ever since the pandemic has slowed down and restrictions have been lifting, I have had the travel bug so bad! I went to Florida after I graduated last year, but then the pandemic got bad again and we had to buckle down. As I've gotten older, I have wanted to travel more and more, even before the pandemic. My parents never traveled much when we were younger, so I think that's why I want to get out and explore! I truly think there's no better time than the present to hop on a flight and go wherever your heart desires! Don't tell anyone- but I booked a trip to Cali last week!!*
Are you traveling anywhere anytime soon? What is your favorite place you've been or somewhere you would love to go?
#Travel #Tourism #WellBeing
Read the full article here!
Happy traveling friends! πβοΈπβοΈ
@fruityPond7887
Ooooh travel therapy is certainly a thing, and I completely agree with how traveling can be a great way to boost our mood, and in general help one feel better with their mental health struggles also.
The change in scenery is something I find the most resonant factors about traveling, even If not some place far, a little change goes a long way too.
Also I feel, after the pandemic specially, the urge to go out more is super normal lol, we've been confined within the four walls long enough, gotta get out and hit the sun (not literally omg π).
Traveling can be tiring and hectic too, but worth it I feel xD
Thanks for sharing another fabulous article, Pond. Anddddd I hope you have lots of fun in Caliii! ππ
My top favorite bucket list is Finland, because of the Northern Lights. π₯°
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou I totally agree with you! Traveling can be tiring but it's like a fun tired! π The Northern Lights sound incredible! I've always wanted to stay in one of those hotels that looks like an igloo! It looks so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your thoughts Sun <3
@fruityPond7887
Omg I love those igloos too, it would be an amazing experience staying in them right haha! β€
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou I wonder how warm they must be!
@fruityPond7887
Me too hehe :o
@fruityPond7887 I'm travelling to Sri Lanka for a vacation after my finals! I'm so excited to get a well-deserved break! Lovely article, Thanks!
@comfortableNight4463 I hope you have an amazing time! It's so well-deserved! β€οΈβοΈ
@fruityPond7887 Thank you so much! I hope you have get to have an amazing vacation as well!
@comfortableNight4463 Thank you! π
@fruityPond7887 You're most welcome!
@fruityPond7887
I definitely need to travel soon after reading this. Due to the pandemic it's been so long since I traveled haha.
@sunnyWriting4806 Where would you go if you had the chance? π
Never helped me, so... I guess I'm just untreatable
@tidySailboat7966 Hi Sailboat! I am sorry to hear that traveling didn't help you to feel any better, but everyone is different! There is always something out there that will help. It may take some time to find it, but there's always something I promise! Here is a list of some coping skills that might help: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c154cf9372b964a03cbccdb/t/5c488d65352f534aa63aa58a/1548258661324/100+Coping+Skills.pdf β€οΈ
@fruityPond7887
I absolutely loved this article! Traveling is my passion number 1 and I try to travel somewhere new every year. Unfortunately, I cannot take days off from work in the upcoming season, but I will surely make a trip somewhere during the winter. I would love to explore every country but I have never been to Asia, so I would love to go there for my next holidays. I think there is a hidden beauty in each country. Enjoy your trip to Cali π
@fruityPond7887 Traveling can be really fun i personally like to do it alone lol it's freeing
Have fun on your trip in cali
@zealousGrace5023
What do you like the most about traveling alone? At times I feel scared that something might happen and I will have to solve it all by myself.
@globalBraid3744 i just find it very peaceful and freeing since i'd be responsible only for myself
@zealousGrace5023 @globalBraid3744 I agree that it must be so freeing traveling by yourself, but I have to agree with Braid that it can be so scary! You're so brave! What's your favorite (and safest) place you've traveled alone?
@fruityPond7887
I agree! It probably also depends on whether you had a bad experience already. My best friend loves to travel alone but in Costa Rica, she heard gunshots and she ended up calling me in the middle of the night because she was very scared. It is difficult to figure out what to do when there is a dangerous situation. The good thing is that things like these do not happen often. I personally did not have any dangerous experiences yet.
@fruityPond7887 i've really just been able to kinda explore NYC alone
i wouldn't say it's the safest haha
@zealousGrace5023
It is true that you can see what you want when you want and you are not limited by the needs of others.
@globalBraid3744 yes it's quite nice