Have you ever noticed how much difference there is between how some people look fit and fabulous in their 60s and others are aging way too fast? Part of the difference is lifestyle choices, and travel may be the most powerful and least appreciated ingredient for good health among older people.
I’m not referring to luxury cruises or five-star resorts. By this, I mean the life-changing effect of being open to different places, people, activities, even beyond the tools of wealth or where you’re going. The science is clear that travel in your 60s isn’t just a luxury; it’s an essential investment in our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
How Travel Adventures Nourish Your Body
“Sitting is the new smoking,” goes the popular health adage, and it’s especially true for people in their 60s. Inactivity hastens age-related decline, but travel inherently suggests movement. Research from the UK’s University of East Anglia found that regular walkers, something all those travellers are doing a lot of, have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
On a typical day of exploring a city, visitors rack up 12,000 to 15,000 steps without even thinking about it. And that, in turn, leads to a natural increase in physical activity that strengthens muscles, aids cardiovascular fitness, and improves mobility, all vital to maintaining independence as we age.
Margaret, 67, a retired school teacher, learned this entirely by accident on her recent walking tour. “Prior to the trip, I had knee pain and rarely walked more than 2,000 steps a day. By the end of our 10-day excursion, I was comfortably doing 12,000 steps, and my pain had all but vanished. I’m still walking every day, six months later, influenced by that trip.”
The physical benefits go beyond moving around. Spend time outdoors: Travel experiences encourage outdoor time, which boosts vitamin D production necessary for bone health and immune function. According to Age UK, about 40% of older people in Britain are considered deficient in vitamin D, especially in the winter months. But a walking holiday in sunnier parts of the globe will cure all that and offer the added benefits of joy and stimulation.
The Fountain of Youth for Your Brain
Researchers have recently published a study that showed older adults who travelled often had a 35 percent reduced risk of getting dementia in comparison to those who did not travel.
This cognitive stimulation has changed Thomas’s life – he’s 64. “When I retired, I found that I wasn’t as mentally sharp as I wanted to be. Instead of thinking of it as a fact of getting older, my wife and I started to plan regular trips — nothing fancy, mostly weekends away in the U.K. or the occasional trip to a European city. Three years later, I’m sharper mentally than I was at 60. Learning new transit systems, remembering directions, absorbing historical information keeps my brain busy, in ways crossword puzzles never could.”
A Social Prescription We All Could Use
According to Age UK, loneliness affects more than 1.4 million older people, with profound consequences for both mental and physical health. Travel, by its nature, lends itself to meaningful social connections – even with fellow travellers, locals, or even long-distance friends and family.
“Group travel experiences have been a social lifeline,” says Elizabeth, 71. “Following the death of my husband, I took a walking holiday for people over 60. Those shared experiences forge bonds that last well beyond the travels themselves. We set up a WhatsApp group to share memories, and we’re already discussing our next trip. And those human connections are as significant as the travels themselves.”
Even solo travellers are getting more social interaction. Finding your way around new places means talking to the people in that place, from locals to fellow travellers to those providing services to you. Short encounters add up to help fight isolation and promote well-being.
And according to the Mental Health Foundation UK, social connection is one of the biggest protective factors against depression and anxiety in older adults. If done purposefully and with an open heart, travel allows natural opportunities for such connections.
How To Make Health-Focused Travel Work For You
No one can achieve significant health benefits without proper planning. So, how can you make sure your travel is indeed a health investment?
- Connect things you do now to activities, and reach just beyond. If you can walk two miles around your house, plan on three-mile excursions when you’re on the road, with plenty of time to rest. This gradual progression allows strength and confidence to grow.
- Seek out “slow travel” tactics. Rather than checking out multiple destinations, spend longer in fewer places. It reduces travel fatigue but allows for more personal engagement with the culture.
- Maintain a balance of activity and recovery. Even physical activity with the best intentions requires much rest. Schedule restful mornings or afternoons when you can recharge between more energetic excursions.
The Economic Outlook: Redefining Travel Expenses
When you consider what to pay for travel, think of it as an investment. The price of a £1,000 walking holiday is not merely a holiday cost, it is a downpayment on physical strength, cognitive stimulation and emotional wellbeing that could help to stave off a cost multiple of that amount in care bills later in life.
Preventive health measures — including physical activity and cognitive stimulation — could reduce costs related to aging in the U.K. National Health Service, or NHS, by as much as 30% according to research from the London School of Economics. Individual experiences will vary, but the concept is sound: Money spent on healthy activities now can save on health costs later.
But in addition to any potential cost savings, there’s the incalculable added benefit of quality life years. Because retirement can span two to three decades, investing in those experiences that optimize the years is a true value that’s beyond the numbers.
Your First Step To Links Between Travel in Your 60s and Health
If you are convinced that travel is good for your health but are not sure where to go, then consider the following:
Begin locally
Day trips to nearby towns or rural areas build confidence and skills without overwhelming logistics.
Get involved with community organizations
One example of group travel services geared towards older adults with social and logistical benefits is U3A (University of the Third Age).
Consider a travel companion
If you are reluctant to travel because of mobility issues or health concerns, there are specialized services like Companions that can match people like you with appropriate travel companions.
Start a travel journal
Journaling not only has cognitive benefits, but it also becomes a great memento.
Your Next Chapter Awaits
Travel in your 60s isn’t about crossing countries off a list or seeking Instagramable moments. It’s about making really purposeful choices to interact with the world in ways that nourish your health, brain, and life.
Living well into older age, whether via international travel or local excursions, is greatly aided by travel experiences. When travel is not perceived as a luxury, but rather as a determinant of health, you are your biggest advocate for investing in experiences that may extend your life and your health span — those many years of you being ‘you’, active and engaged.
Choose a destination that excites you, a walking route you’ve never walked, or a guided tour on a topic that intrigues you. Your future self will thank you for your investment in your health and happiness.
Well, then, are you ready to embark on your journey to healthy aging? Give us an idea of what you want to do in the comments, or ask any questions you have.
