Healthy ageing, enjoying life through connection, exploration, enjoyment of culture food and wine through travel strength and vitality and all that is associated with it are inherently personal; …
whilst one person might find a brisk morning walk or yoga class the best way to nurture themselves, others may prefer a glass of wine and a spa bath. …
As a physiotherapist and wellbeing coach I can see that in wellbeing relent moderation as an integral part of a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.
Can you combine wellbeing with travel, food and wine?
As food and a wine lover fitness enthusiast and wellbeing professional the messaging within both spaces can sometimes be confusing…
Does it have to be an all or none attitude. Detox retreats or a party weekend?
Slow living, intuitive eating and drinking and mindful movement breath can go hand in hand to create a moderated life’s experiences. Enjoying the benefits of sustainable balance!!
Travel is an excellent way to nurture body, mind, palette and soul. Combining new experiences, new cultures and healthy habits is a great way to maintain mental and physical well-being, and, of course, it contributes to a fun and more fulfilling life.
The benefits of traveling have been a well-documented discussion topic for years because of the beneficial impact traveling has ion the cognitive, physical and emotional aspects as we age…
The new opportunities and benefits of travel are many, particularly now that we are living a longer, healthier and more active life.
Here’s why…
Cognitive health
The processes of traveling are a good mental challenge that stimulates the brain, engaging the traveller to keep the mind alert, making decisions, process new information and creating new neural pathways that exercise the brain and thus help to prevent cognitive decline.
Navigating new spaces, learning words and customs in countries or places, trying new culinary delights, sounds, and smells – all play a role in the wellbeing of our brain power!!
The combination of mental and physical exercise is the best combination to keep the brain sharp and alert as we age.
Travel also makes us more adaptable and self-aware by enhancing social skills and exposure through the I engagement with all kinds of people from different places and cultures.
Physical Health
enjoying new places, tastes, people and leisure activities we can lower stress, which helps prevent stress-related diseases. Enhance sleep and improve physical strength, mobility and fitness
Taking sightseeing tours, walks, swimming, cycling keep us agile active and mobile. Research tells us we’re more likely to hike or swim when on holidays!
Human connection.
Travel connects people and provides us with unique opportunities to learn about new and different cultures. This can enhance compassion and empathy towards others. It certainly assists in improving our tolerance, diminishes biases and even helps to reduce frustration. It improves our gratitude and general outlook on life!
Boosts creativity.
Immersing yourself in new cultures increases your mind’s ability to move between different ideas, think more deeply, and integrate thoughts.
Increases productivity
Time away from work, routine and day to day commitment can increase your energy and productivity at work.
Do good feel good
Much evidence suggests that helping others enhances physiological changes in the brain linked with fulfillment and happiness. We Spend money in local
Communities when travelling in local businesses, attractions and even locally made souvenirs. All of this helps support the many people who rely on tourism for their living.
Combine wellness and culture for better health and to age well
A trip combining culture, culinary experience, wellbeing activities and like-minded people can contribute to better mental and physical health, happiness and healthy aging
On a wellness and culture retreat that combines practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, you can learn skills that you can bring home to help you keep up a regular wellness routine.
I tell my clients both in the clinic and on the mat that such a combination of moderation, intuition, adventure and mindfulness will be key to maintaining more robust mental and physical health. That is sustainable throughout life!
Can’t you just imagine yourself learning movement and breath practices on an idyllic beach, an historical town, or mountain? See new people and places, taste new things, immerse yourself in culture…. take that trip!!!
Pull out that bucket list and see what you still need to check off. By doing something you enjoy, you perform necessary self-care and contribute to your own happiness.
For some inspiration see the link to a fabulous cultural ageing well retreat I am involved in, in Umbria May 2025
