‘Travel Therapy’: Could a Vacation Help Mental Health and Well-Being?

Summary: Holidays may possibly not just be an prospect for recreation, they could also supply psychological and general wellbeing rewards.

Source: Edith Cowen University

Several of us will have probably read of new music remedy and artwork treatment — but what about ‘travel therapy’? 

A new cross-disciplinary paper from Edith Cowan College (European) proposes we transform the way we look at tourism, looking at it not just as a leisure knowledge but as an field that can supply serious overall health benefits. 

The collaboration concerning ECU’s Centre for Precision Overall health and Faculty of Company and Law found quite a few elements of likely on holiday break could have a optimistic impression on individuals with psychological health and fitness issues or problems. 

Direct researcher Dr Jun Wen said the varied team of tourism, public overall health and marketing experts investigated how tourism could advantage those people dwelling with dementia. 

“Medical experts can advise dementia remedies these kinds of as music therapy, exercising, cognitive stimulation, reminiscence remedy, sensory stimulation and diversifications to a patient’s mealtimes and ecosystem,” Dr Wen claimed. 

“These are all also usually found when on vacations.  

“This exploration is between the first to conceptually explore how these tourism ordeals could potentially work as dementia interventions.” 

Holiday fun… or therapy? 

Dr Wen reported the diversified character of tourism intended there were numerous chances to include treatments for conditions this kind of as dementia. 

For example, getting in new environments and owning new activities could supply cognitive and sensory stimulation. 

“Exercise has been linked to psychological wellbeing and travelling typically involves improved physical activity, these as extra strolling,” Dr Wen reported. 

“Mealtimes are generally distinct on getaway: they are typically a lot more social affairs with many people today and relatives-design meals have been observed to positively affect dementia patients’ having conduct. 

“And then there’s the basics like contemporary air and sunshine rising vitamin D and serotonin levels.  

“Everything that will come jointly to symbolize a holistic tourism experience, helps make it easy to see how sufferers with dementia could advantage from tourism as an intervention.” 

A change in thinking 

Dr Wen mentioned COVID-19’s impression on journey in latest a long time experienced elevated thoughts about tourism’s benefit outside of way of living and financial variables. 

This shows a happy woman at a beach
Dr Wen said the various character of tourism meant there had been a lot of options to integrate treatment plans for ailments these types of as dementia. Picture is in the community domain

“Tourism has been uncovered to strengthen actual physical and psychological wellbeing,” he claimed. 

“So, right after COVID, it’s a superior time to establish tourism’s put in public health — and not just for healthy vacationers, but susceptible teams.” 

Dr Wen mentioned he hoped a new line of collaborative analysis could get started to look at how tourism can greatly enhance the lives of individuals with many conditions. 

“We’re making an attempt to do some thing new in bridging tourism and wellbeing science,” he stated. 

See also

This shows a woman rubbing her shoulder

“There will have to be much more empirical exploration and evidence to see if tourism can turn out to be 1 of the professional medical interventions for various ailments like dementia or depression.  

“So, tourism is not just about touring and having fun we require to rethink the role tourism performs in contemporary society.” 

About this psychology and psychological well being research news

Author: Sam Jeremic
Supply: Edith Cowen University
Contact: Sam Jeremic – Edith Cowen University
Image: The picture is in the general public area

Primary Investigate: Shut entry.
Tourism as a dementia therapy based mostly on favourable psychology” by Jun Wen et al. Tourism Administration


Abstract

Tourism as a dementia therapy based on constructive psychology

No investigate in tourism or medication has dealt with the opportunity romantic relationship concerning vacation and the professional medical treatment method of dementia. Supplied tourism’s increasingly critical position in modern society, a cross-disciplinary workforce of tourism and dementia experts present insight into the likely benefits of tourism for folks with dementia.

This conceptual work critically critiques the tourism and dementia literature and addresses pertinent expertise gaps. Tourism is introduced as a achievable way to increase dementia patients’ well-staying as an adjunct to non-pharmacological interventions.

Appropriately, a conceptual framework is proposed to spotlight the nexus involving tourism experiences and dementia interventions.

Long term interdisciplinary investigate instructions are also described.