Frequent Flyer? Why You May Have A Healthier Heart...

They say travel broadens the mind, but what if it could also extend your lifespan? Groundbreaking research now suggests vacations might be the ultimate heart health hack. But how exactly does travel help your heart and slow aging? The answer lies in an unexpected biological process that could redefine the way we view time off.

Key Takeaways

• More Vacation, Longer Life – Taking more than three weeks of vacation annually was linked to a 37% lower risk of death compared to those who vacationed less.
• Travel Rewires Your Body – Studies show vacations impact stress and immune-related gene expression, improving overall health.
• The Entropy Effect – Travel may slow aging by keeping the body in a low-entropy state, enhancing self-repair and reducing chronic stress.

New Research: Travel Might Be More Important Than You Think

Can travel really help you defy premature aging and live longer? The results of a 2018 study conducted over the course of 40 years suggest the answer is yes.

It included over a thousand male executives with at least one risk factor for heart disease. Men who took three weeks or less of annual vacation had a 37% greater chance of dying than those who took more than three weeks.

This is in line with a World Health Organization (WHO) study that found those working greater than 55 hours a week had a 35% higher risk of dying from stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease than those who work 35 to 40 hours a week.¹

Another study examined changes to 20,000 genes in vacationers. It took just one week at a resort to strongly impact networks linked to stress and immune pathways. Elissa Epel, from UC San Francisco, who led the study, said it was “impressive to see the large changes in gene expression from being away from the busy pace of life, in a relaxing environment, in such a short period of time.”²

Still not persuaded? Maybe the results of a fourth study will convince you to flip through some travel brochures.

Science Proves Vacations Are Essential for Longevity

Professor Bryce Hruska from Syracuse University, New York, explains the findings of the study: “…people who vacation more frequently in the past 12 months have a lowered risk for metabolic syndrome [which is] a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This is important because we are actually seeing a reduction in the risk for cardiovascular disease the more vacationing a person does.”³

The latest study, published in August, is the first of its kind. It suggests travel slows down aging because it reduces the force of entropy.

Entropy is a concept from physics that describes the tendency of systems to move from order to disorder over time. In simple terms, it's a measure of randomness or chaos.

In everyday life, you can think of entropy as what happens when you leave a room messy—it naturally becomes more disorganized unless you actively tidy it up. The same principle applies to the universe, living organisms, and even our bodies. Over time, everything moves toward decay and disorder unless energy is put into maintaining structure.

Researchers from Edith Cowan University in Australia theorize that travel puts entropy in check.

Fangli Hu, who led the research, said travelers are exposed to novel environments, activities and social interactions that benefit them physically and mentally, helping the body sustain a low-entropy state.

"Put simply,” she said, “the self-defense system becomes more resilient. Hormones conducive to tissue repair and regeneration may be released and promote the self-healing system’s functioning.”⁴

Expanding on this she continued: "Leisurely travel activities might help alleviate chronic stress, dampen overactivation of the immune system, and encourage normal functioning of the self-defense system. Engaging in recreation potentially releases tension and fatigue in the muscles and joints. This relief helps maintain the body's metabolic balance and increases the anti-wear-and-tear system's effectiveness. Organs and tissues can then remain in a low-entropy state."

Include Exercise and You’ve Got The Anti-Aging Golden Ticket

The benefits are even more significant if the vacation encompasses physical activities such as hiking, climbing, walking, and cycling.

"Participating in these activities could enhance the body’s immune function and self-defense capabilities, bolstering its hardiness to external risks. Physical exercise may also improve blood circulation, expedite nutrient transport, and aid waste elimination to collectively maintain an active self-healing system. Moderate exercise is beneficial to the bones, muscles, and joints in addition to supporting the body's anti-wear-and-tear system."

So, it appears to be true that all work and no play doesn’t just make for a dull day, it can also shorten your life.

Next, the Australian team intends to conduct a human study using physiological indicators, blood tests, and robust medical experiments to find additional evidence. While we wait for the results, I’m going to start planning my next vacation.

Summary

A growing body of research suggests that travel may do more than offer relaxation and cultural enrichment—it could also extend lifespan. A 40-year study found that taking more than three weeks of vacation annually significantly lowers the risk of heart disease and premature death. Other studies show that vacations reduce stress, support immune function, and even alter gene expression in ways that promote longevity. The latest theory proposes that travel helps maintain a low-entropy state in the body, slowing the natural processes of disorder and aging. While this concept is still being tested, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that taking time off isn't just a luxury—it’s a necessity for long-term health.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can travel really help you live longer?
  Yes! Research suggests that taking regular vacations reduces stress, lowers heart disease risk, and may slow aging by promoting bodily resilience.
• How does vacation impact heart health?
  Studies show that those who take more than three weeks of vacation annually have a significantly lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who vacation less.
• What is the "low-entropy state" mentioned in the study?
  Entropy refers to disorder in the body. Travel exposes you to new environments, reducing stress and supporting self-repair mechanisms that help maintain a youthful, low-entropy state.
• Does the type of vacation matter?
  Active vacations with physical activities like hiking or cycling may provide even greater benefits by improving circulation, immune function, and overall resilience.
• How soon do travel benefits kick in?
  Research shows that even a one-week vacation can produce measurable changes in gene expression linked to stress reduction and immune function.