It’s no secret that stress, diet and exercise, as well as genetic and environmental factors can all play a role in heart health. But what about travel?
I absolutely love to travel. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a trip further afield, travel offers a reprieve from life's daily routine (ie. house chores, etc.) and a fresh perspective. I always come back with renewed energy. There are other great reasons to travel as well.
One study found that frequent vacations may help protect against the risk of metabolic syndrome – a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. For workers participating in the study who used two weeks of vacation time over the course of 12 months, metabolic symptoms decreased by nearly a quarter with each additional vacation. Study authors attributed this to the fact that, overall, vacations are experienced as positive events, which may translate into physical health benefits.1
Even short periods of travel have been found to benefit heart health in various ways, including:2
- Reducing stress – 57% of people returning from vacation say they feel less stressed, and 68% return with more positive feelings. Stress reduction is believed to help heart health by lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol and blood sugar control, and reducing inflammation.
- Encouraging physical activity – People often tend to walk more and engage in other activities while traveling that they may not have access to at home, such as swimming, hiking, or horseback riding. Exercise can help strengthen the heart muscle and improve circulation, which can help control blood pressure.
- Spending time in nature – Enjoying nature benefits mind and body, helping to reduce blood pressure and stress levels and restore balance. It can be, as some call it, "forest bathing."
To learn more about heart health, visit the American Heart Association at Heart.org.
1)Hruska, B., Pressman, S. D., Bendinskas, K., & Gump, B. B. (2019). Vacation frequency is associated with metabolic syndrome and symptoms. Psychology & Health, 35(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2019.1628962.
2)“All The Ways Traveling Benefits Your Heart Health.” Huffpost.com, 9 DEC 2024,
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/travel-heart-health_l_6751d776e4b0a7189dd89758?ncid=APPLENEWS00001.
This information was written in cooperation with Kris Kennedy and KRW Creative Concepts, a non-affiliate of the broker-dealer.
This communication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information on the subjects covered. It is not, however, intended to provide specific legal, tax, or other professional advice. For specific professional assistance, the services of an appropriate professional should be sought. For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a tax or legal advisor. Neither Cetera firms nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice.