Why Traveling Helps People Lose Weight, Feel Younger, and Have More Sex
You probably don’t need an expert to tell you this, but the Daily Mail reported that taking a vacation can make you feel better, according to an Expedia survey.
Taking time off from the daily grind can certainly do wonders for your state of mind.
However, researchers have found that it also has physical benefits.
At least 1 million people who answered the survey said that traveling helped them lose weight. More than 1.5 million respondents said that traveling helped their skin look better. One million people said that their sex lives improved because of travel.
Maybe instead of heading to the doctor next time you feel bad, you should head even farther away.
A vacation may be the perfect remedy for what ails you.
Here’s why.
Why Traveling Helps People Lose Weight, Feel Younger, and Have More Sex
Vacations Are Relaxing
Cortisol is a hormone that’s released when you’re stressed. It’s a type of steroid that is released from the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys.
According to Today’s Dietician, when you have normal amounts of stress, cortisol helps your body respond by using the right type of fuel.
It tells your body whether it needs carbohydrates, fat or protein to deal with the stressor at hand.
The hormone also shuts down bodily functions that aren’t necessary for the fight-or-flight response that’s triggered by stress.
If your cortisol is chronically elevated, it can lead to weight gain, disruption of your bodily functions, and inflammation. High cortisol levels can even lead to low libido erectile dysfunction, according to Breaking Muscle.
Therefore, the typical cycle of waking up stressed, downing a few cups of coffee as you race to work, dealing with your cranky boss and coming home to even crankier kids can be bad for your health.
If you don’t manage stress well or try too hard to keep up with today’s fast-paced lifestyle, you might need a vacation more than you think.
A vacation can reset your body’s response to stress.
You’re away from worry, deadlines, and crankiness. You’re doing what you want to do. You’re living a more carefree lifestyle, if only temporarily.
You’re probably getting more sleep than you normally do. Who doesn’t take advantage of vacation time to sleep in a little bit?
The decrease in cortisol that can result from a vacation can improve your digestive system. This can help you lose weight and improve skin problems.
Lowered stress levels can also improve your libido, which makes vacation sex is a scientific thing!
More Sun Exposure Can Be Good For Your Health
For many people, the ability to get outside more improves their health while on vacation.
According to the EPA’s National Human Activity Pattern Survey, the average American spends 93 percent of his or her life indoors. According to a Harvard University article, one of the reasons why people get sick more in the winter is because they’re cooped up indoors.
Lack of sunlight can lead to low levels of vitamin D and melatonin, according to Popular Science.
What happens in response? Your body’s immunity goes down, and you’re more likely to get sick.
When you’re sick, you don’t feel like having sex, and you probably slip up on your skincare routine. It’s also stressful. When you’re in optimal health, your libido, skin health, and energy levels thrive.
Also, the Vitamin D Council says that there may be a link between low vitamin D levels and depression. While you can get vitamin D from foods and supplements, one of the most effective sources is the sun.
According to Care2, getting enough sunlight can help you sleep better, improve your bone health and even improve Alzheimer’s disease.
No wonder vacationing makes you feel younger.
You Tend to Move More When You Travel
Even a trip to Disney World with the kids gives you plenty of exercise. Ask anyone who has visited the popular park with a pedometer, and they’ll tell you that they walked several miles on their trip.
That’s probably more than you move when you’re home.
Getting more exercise can help you lose weight while traveling. You don’t have to be performing dramatic adventure sports to burn calories.
Walking is one of the most effective exercises for weight loss.
Whether you typically pound it out at the gym, lift heavy weights or lead a sedentary lifestyle, doing a lot of walking while traveling can help you shed fat.
Too much high-intensity exercise, or overtraining, can lead to feelings of depression, chronic fatigue, and even hypothyroidism, according to Chris Kresser.
Walking can reduce that stress, according to board-certified physician Wendy Bumgardner. People who walk often can have healthier cortisol levels than couch potatoes as well as heavy exercisers.
That’s a win-win for just about anyone. If you’re sightseeing, you’re likely to do plenty of walking while you travel. If you’re going on a beach vacation, you might need to encourage yourself to get moving every day.
Skip the indoor gym and go outdoors to get some sunshine while you’re on a stroll. If you’re lounging on the beach, commit to taking a walk along the coast after every meal.
A walk can be a great way to scout out your plans for the day and explore a new environment. Of course, the more you walk, the more calories you’ll burn.
If you want a unique experience, add some adventure into your travel plans. Book a rafting trip, or learn how to rock climb. Do some paddle boarding, or try surfing.
Even renting bikes for a leisurely ride every day will get you moving more than you probably do at home.
All that extra exercise can result in weight loss, improved energy, and a better mood.
You Have More Freedom
You tend to have more free time when you’re away from your to-do lists. If you’re traveling with your partner, chances are that you’ll have more opportunities to get intimate.
According to Uproxx, traveling can even boost your creativity.
This Mind Body Green article explains how creativity and sexual energy are linked. Tapping into the energy of our creative life force can help improve our libido.
Freedom also gives us a minute to breathe. When we’re stuck in our cars and cubicles all day, we often forget to take deep, cleansing breaths.
The freedom that traveling can deliver can give us more time to meditate, focus on our breath and be more mindful. The result is reduced stress, improved circulation, a better attitude and more energy.
It’s no wonder that traveling can reset our entire mind, body, and soul.
Next time you’re stuck in a rut, get out of your home or office. Even exploring your own city on the weekend can help you reap the benefits of traveling.
Watch this video to find out other ways that travel can benefit your life and enrich the global community.
Don’t forget to check out our 21-Day Fat Loss Challenge if you need a diet plan to help you lose the weight! Our Challenge guarantees results of 10-21 pounds in just 21 days with the program!
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Lauren at Avocadu
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