Does travel make you healthy?

When Camille Hoheb took her last wellness-focused vacation, she didn’t set any goals for vigorous walking, lower her blood pressure by a few points, or improve any stressful daily habits. Instead of a list of must-visit restaurants, she brought a sketchbook, an itinerary, and a desire to find popular local restaurants.

A couple of days in a beautiful beach town in Massachusetts with her dog, camera and art kit was more relaxing than a week of forced recreation, says Hoheb, 58. And she knows: her day job is consulting with tourism offices. How to stay fit for health-conscious travelers.

By this time in 2022, leisure travel has returned to pre-pandemic levels and predictions are that it will continue to do so – as airlines reduce the number of flights they operate and hotels, restaurants and destinations cannot stay open due to severe labor shortages. With major travel delayed by two years, fires, droughts and floods disrupting vacations at popular national parks and European destinations, many Americans are determined to save up for breakout trips.

Changing travel expectations

Is it possible to do restoration work in an already known stressful year?

Yes, experts say, especially if you use self-planning as a mindfulness practice and shift expectations from activity to personal renewal. And new research suggests that proper travel can be beneficial for people struggling with dementia.

Dr Jun Wen, lecturer in tourism and services marketing at Australia’s Edith Cowan University, argues that the physical, psychological and social benefits of travel should position travel as a form of medical therapy for vulnerable populations, including those with dementia.

“All tourism experiences provide elements of anticipation and planning, both of which stimulate mental activity. Exercise is often an important part of tourism experiences, and is frequently included in dementia intervention plans. Tourism experiences such as beach visits provide emotional stimulation for dementia patients. , exercise, music therapy and developing feelings of independence as non-pharmacological interventions for mental illness.” “Group travel can mimic psychological interventions, and music at a destination is compatible with music therapy programs for people with mental illness.”

I’m watching that play out for my own mother, who at 89 is now limited to day trips. Her voice brightens when I call her to make sure she’s out to a botanical garden or an outdoor living history museum. With only a few days notice, the length of an owl matches her memory and she has the dual gift of keeping and having a good time.

My own planning ability is as flexible as ever, which is good, considering that, like any traveler, I need to be more flexible than ever.

It’s not enough to make basic arrangements and expect everything to go as planned: these days, you have to stand by to change reservations and expectations as carriers, hotels and destinations adjust their services to their current capacity. You can also switch gears to a more gradual agenda, blocking many avenues to a go-go-go vacation.

Allow the dates to unfold

Or no agenda at all. A few weeks ago, my husband and I took a very long weekend in Asheville, North Carolina, an artsy town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition to our hotel room, my reservation was to see the Homer Winslow exhibit at the newly renovated art museum. Other than that… well, for four whole days we spent our calories a day at one new-to-us restaurant, expending our energy in the hilly town of Asheville and nearby Brevard and the mountain hairpin. Roads to High Altitude Highlands and Cashiers. Our goal was not to become smarter, thinner, or more sophisticated, but simply to keep our feet and minds wandering.

Wellness travel consultant Samantha Lippiatt says she’s not a fan of expensive spas herself, but the end result of deep relaxation is free for anyone who wants to plan their trip around “non-negotiables like working out, getting out in nature, and making sure you get a good night’s sleep.”

That sounds like a sweet spot to get the most out of a (thankfully) waning 2022: focus on your big health goals, allow time for the day and its experiences to unfold, and let go of the needs you need for yourself regularly without slipping in. Circumstances warranting pendency of penance.

Agendas are the antithesis of true relaxation, says Hoheb, who argues against the popular notion that prepackaged vacations are the goal of stretching physical endurance and energy.

“Health isn’t about the spa. It’s about being reflective and purposeful. It’s about culture, food and light movement — it’s about knowing your limits and not going beyond them,” she says. “Come home a better version of yourself.”