Rediscovery of ‘preventive medicine’ travel
20.3 million people went abroad in one year
Daily life is more important than period and place
WHO “Travel helps mental health”
Improve productivity by managing stress
Excellent effect of walking more than usual
Significantly reduces risk of heart attack
Enlarge photo Unsplash “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.”
This is what Seneca, a Roman philosopher, politician and dramatist, said. Travel is now changing to a paradigm where it is approached as a ‘health’ rather than a ‘luxury’ enjoyed only by those with money. If ‘medical tourism’, which is attracting attention these days, combines travel with patient treatment, general travel is about rejuvenating the body and mind tired from life, that is, regaining physical and mental health and returning to daily life. Travel is another form of preventive medicine.
Recently, as the economic situation at home and abroad has worsened, screams have been heard everywhere. Companies are feeling a sense of crisis, and households are struggling to make ends meet due to soaring prices and high interest rates. Stock prices have plummeted, and apartment prices, which were once popular, have fallen, causing investors to have a mental breakdown. For this reason, many people are seen trying to escape from the difficult reality and go on a trip to regain their health. Last year, 20.3 million Koreans (including duplicates) traveled abroad. Five countries, including Japan (6.95 million people), Vietnam (3.6 million people), Thailand (1.66 million people), the United States (1.6 million people), and the Philippines (1.44 million people), accounted for about 75% of the total.
When you think of ‘travel’, you usually think of taking a long plane ride and going abroad, but visiting cafes or tourist attractions near your home on the weekend is also a good trip. Volunteering in a remote area for a few months or trekking in the Himalayas are great trips. Kang Jae-heon, a professor of family medicine at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, said, “The meaning of travel is not the duration, but regaining vitality of the body and mind.” He added, “When you escape from your routine and spend a few days anywhere, tension is relieved, which is good for your health.” “It has a positive impact,” he said.
How does travel affect your health?
Regarding overseas travel, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, “Various problems may arise, such as temperature and humidity changes, air pollution, unfamiliar environment and culture, language-related stress, infectious diseases, and safety, so careful preparation is necessary before travel.” The negative aspect is highlighted with the paradoxical meaning of taking care of one’s health. In fact, there is quite a bit of stress in the process of purchasing airline tickets and making accommodation reservations. Additionally, areas with poor sanitary conditions have a high risk of being infected with yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, and typhoid fever.
However, WHO agrees that traveling gives a sense of joy and happiness, which in turn helps with mental health. WHO describes mental health as “a state of well-being that enables individuals to cope with the everyday stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their communities.” This means that mental health is essential to living as a member of society. Mental illnesses range from uncommon conditions such as bipolar disorder to common conditions such as depression and anxiety. The British National Health Service (NHS) emphasizes that mental health is as important as physical health, saying that one in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental illness.
In this respect, travel is said to be a very good way to heal mental health, and related research is being actively conducted. An international tourism organization conducted a survey of adults aged 25 to 70 and found that 80% of respondents said that traveling improves their mood and 75% of respondents said that traveling helps reduce stress.
Along with this, when you travel, your curiosity is aroused and you walk and move more than usual. This is also good for physical health. Walking is a representative aerobic exercise that moves more than 100 muscles in our body to relieve tension.
According to a survey of 12,000 people by Expedia.com, people who go on vacation (travel) at least once a year are 30% less likely to die from heart disease, and people who do not go on vacation are more exposed to heart attacks. The risk was found to be twice as high. A joint study conducted by the Global Council on Aging and the Transamerica Retirement Research Center with the American Travel Association found that women who traveled at least twice a year had a significantly lower risk of heart attack than women who traveled once every six months. Additionally, men who did not go on vacation had a 20% higher risk of death and a 30% higher risk of heart disease.
Travel also helps companies’ productivity. The brain quickly ‘reboots’ when it encounters environments, landscapes, and cultures that are different from usual. In particular, the brain feels more healed when exposed to unique cultures and new and interesting knowledge. Youngho Yoon, a professor of family medicine at Seoul National University Hospital (chairman of the Korean Society of Health) who has been researching corporate health management for a long time, said, “Travel that reduces stress helps manage stress even after returning to daily life, which in turn leads to improved productivity at work. “He explained.
There is a saying, “If something bad happens, travel to forget it. Traveling is the best medicine.” If you are stressed out and physically and mentally exhausted, it is worth considering traveling to recharge your energy and regain your health. In particular, for ‘emotional workers’ who experience more stress than any other occupation, traveling can be a good ‘therapy’ for their mental health.
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Here are two PAA (Personal, Actionable, and Attainable) related questions for the provided text:
## World Today News Interview: Travel as Preventive Medicine
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into current topics shaping our world. Today, we’re exploring the emerging trend of “preventive medicine” travel – the idea that travel can be crucial for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Joining us today are two distinguished guests:
* **Dr. [Guest 1 Name],** a renowned psychiatrist specializing in stress management and burnout prevention.
* **Mr./Ms. [Guest 2 Name],** a travel expert and author who focuses on the intersection of travel and well-being.
Let’s dive into this fascinating discussion!
**Part 1: Travel for Mental Well-being:**
**Host:** Dr. [Guest 1 Name], the article highlights the increasing recognition of travel’s positive impact on mental health. Can you elaborate on how travel addresses challenges like stress and burnout?
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:**
*(Responds to the question, discussing the psychological benefits of detachment from routine, exposure to novelty, stress reduction, and the role of travel in managing work-related burnout)*
**Host:** Mr./Ms. [Guest 2 Name], the article mentions that travel doesn’t necessarily mean long-haul flights and exotic destinations. What are some ways people can incorporate this concept of “preventive medicine” travel into their everyday lives?
**Mr./Ms. [Guest 2 Name]:**
*(Talks about accessible travel options like weekend getaways, exploring local attractions, staycations, and incorporating mindful travel practices into daily commutes)*
**Part 2: The Physical Benefits of Travel:**
**Host:** Dr. [Guest 1 Name], beyond the mental benefits, the article cites studies linking travel to improved cardiovascular health. Can you shed light on this connection?
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:**
*(Explores the physiological advantages of travel, discussing increased physical activity, stress reduction’s effect on heart health, and broader lifestyle changes travel can encourage)*
**Host:** Mr./Ms. [Guest 2 Name], what are some tips for maximizing the physical health benefits of travel, especially for those with limited time or budget?
**Mr./Ms. [Guest 2 Name]:**
*(Shares actionable advice on incorporating walking, exploring active excursions, making healthy food choices while traveling, and prioritizing rest and rejuvenation)*
**Part 3: Travel and Productivity:**
**Host:** The article suggests travel can lead to increased productivity. Mr./Ms. [Guest 2 Name], how does travel contribute to enhanced performance at work?
**Mr./Ms. [Guest 2 Name]:**
*(Explains the ”mental reboot” concept, the role of fresh perspectives and inspiration gained through travel, and how diversifying experiences can lead to creative problem-solving)
**Host:** Dr. [Guest 1 Name], how can employers encourage a culture that supports “preventive medicine” travel, recognizing its benefits for both individual employees and the company’s overall success?
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:**
*(Discusses the possibilities of flexible work arrangements, travel subsidies, encouraging sabbaticals, and promoting a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being)*
**(Optional Conclusion)**
**Host:** Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights. It’s clear that travel, in its various forms, can be a powerful tool for promoting both individual well-being and overall societal health.
