Chris and Bec are the two salty sea-lovers behind Salt and Charcoal, exploring life through the lens, living in their 4wd bus “Bunji”. The duo publish helpful travel tips, provide motivation to live your dreams and endless travel inspiration to help spark your next big adventure.
There’s a lot of reasons to travel, from getting away from it all, to indulging in new cultures or trying new food. But now there’s another reason to take a holiday: the wellbeing of the heart.
Studies show that people who frequently go abroad have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke than those who don’t go as often.
Not only that, but people who regularly travel and are exposed to new surroundings and problems have been linked with having a sharper brain and improved problem solving abilities.
A study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2014 revealed that frequent travelers had a lower risk of coronary heart disease than those who did not go abroad as often.
It was concluded that going abroad at least once every five years is beneficial for your heart health and increasing relaxation which is essential for good health.
Traveling allows you to explore new things and enjoy the beauty of nature, which is good for your wellbeing, reducing stress levels and decreasing anxiety.
It is well known that stress and anxiety are major causes of seriously detrimental health problems in human beings.
Travelling often increases your time spent in nature which is linked to slowing down the heart to a more healthy pace, so your body can begin the natural process of healing.
When we are at home, distracted by work, loud noises, people, stress and other factors, our heart rate is known to increase. Through the stress response system we release damaging chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline which can be damaging to all organs including the heart. This is another reason why travel is essential for good heart health.
Tips To Help Your Heart While You Are Away
Here are some tips to get the maximum health benefits from your vacation.
– Make sure your vaccinations are up to date – consult your GP if in doubt
– Drink a lot of water and minimise your intake of alcohol (1 or 2 units maximum)
– Limit your intake of sugary drinks (which you should be doing anyway!)
– Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables each day, try to choose the healthy option more often.
– Go on those holiday hikes – remember, move it, or lose it!
Any Trip Benefits The Heart
A trip of any distance could be beneficial to the heart.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 431,000 adults aged 18 years or older across 10 countries. They found that even short-distance travel was linked with a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation, which is a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat.
However, the study found that people who travel by car and train had a decrease in their risk factors to their heart, more than those who traveled long distances by plane.
In addition, traveling by bus or car could also be beneficial for people who have angina. Short distance travel is linked to a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat.
The researchers suggested that moving around and going for a walk whenever possible could also help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels while in transit.
So, if you’ve been putting off your holiday for a while or want to take one but can’t afford it, don’t worry. Traveling at least every 5 years is better than nothing, and will not only benefit your heart health but also potentially prolong your life!
