Can travel really "heal the mind and body"? Study reveals improving cognitive function may prevent dementia
Does travel have a positive impact on the brain? “Four major experiences” help improve cognitive function
Traveling is one of the ways to stay away from distractions and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. But can it be used as a “therapy” to improve various diseases? Recent research published in “Tourism Management” shows that “travel therapy” based on travel may indeed have a positive impact on brain structure and promote the cognitive function of patients with dementia.
Fudan University in China has proposed the potential benefits of tourism-based treatments for people with dementia. The research team defines travel as “visiting places outside one’s usual environment for no more than one full year.” The team pointed out that there are four main components of travel experience, which previous research has proven to help improve cognitive functions, such as memory and image construction abilities:
Emotional experience. Feelings and emotions are affected by different people, things, and things you encounter.
Cognitive experience. Arrived at new attractions may affect personal thoughts and memories and bring about new concepts.
Idea experience. Religions, customs or customs in different regions may affect personal behavior in the future.
Sensory experience. Every action such as observing, listening, and talking brings different sensory experiences to travelers.
Can travel help reduce the risk of dementia? Research: Bringing “5 major benefits” to patients
The study concluded that travel behavior may have a potential positive impact on people with dementia through a variety of experience types. Through eight previous literature reviews and expert opinions, the research team proposed how the tourism industry can address the components of non-pharmacological intervention for patients with dementia. The following are possible elements:
Cognitive and sensory stimulation: Travel can stimulate ideas and knowledge, which may benefit people with dementia. It may also involve experiencing feelings of improved behavior and well-being.
Environment: Travel puts people in a new environment and can increase social interaction, which stimulates brain function in people with dementia.
Exercise: By its very nature, traveling requires a lot more walking time than usual and involves movement and exercise. Maintaining and improving physical function can help people with dementia.
Music therapy: While traveling isn’t always about music, listening to music during your commute can help improve brain function and improve mood in people with dementia. Therefore, music-focused travel can be beneficial.
Reminiscing: Talking and recalling past experiences can be helpful for people with dementia. Travel may help stimulate memories in people with dementia.
Study author Jun Wen said that focusing on components of positive psychology, such as what people see and experience during their travels and derive a sense of well-being from them, may also benefit people with dementia. They suggested several ways to implement travel components to help people with dementia, such as joining socially interactive groups or traveling to locations that are sensory stimulating.
The more complete the travel experience, the greater the benefits! Experts hope it can be used in “psychotherapy”
The wide variety of potential destinations and attractions around the world translates into many, many opportunities to incorporate treatments for mental health conditions such as dementia, Wen said. For example, entering a new environment and thus having new experiences promotes cognitive and sensory stimulation.
“Exercise has been shown to improve mental illness, and travel is often associated with a lot of walking and walking. Therefore, travel may indeed promote physical and mental health. In addition, social activities with many people, such as participating in tour groups; or traveling to other places Dining with family and friends can have a positive impact on the condition of people with dementia. “Wen also pointed out that basic elements such as fresh air and sunshine can increase vitamin D and serotonin levels, which also have significant benefits for people with dementia.
“The more complete the travel experience, the easier it is for people with dementia to benefit from it. If it is confirmed that travel has a positive impact on brain serotonin, we do not rule out that this measure may also benefit patients with mental illnesses (such as depression and anxiety).” Wen express.
Source:
Tourism as a dementia treatment based on positive psychology
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