• HOME
    • ABOUT
    • ABOUT SANDY
    • ABOUT NARMADA
    • ABOUT LINDA ALLEY
    • Virtuoso Hotels
    • WELCOME GUIDE
    • GIFT CARD
    • South Africa & The Okavango Delta
    • The Wonders of Columbia
    • THE WINES OF PORTUGAL
    • FLORIADE EXPO INFO
    • Enticing Douro
    • A JOURNEY THROUGH KENYA
    • SECRETS OF EGYPT & THE NILE
    • HUDSON VALLEY, NY
    • TASTE OF BORDEAUX
    • CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
    • MAGICAL CHRISTMAS MARKETS
    • ISRAEL
    • INDIA
    • CUBA
    • TULIP TIME CRUISE
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • BLOG
  • NEWS & MEDIA
  • CONTACT
Menu

WE MAKE TRAVEL EASY

  • HOME
  • TEAM
    • ABOUT
    • ABOUT SANDY
    • ABOUT NARMADA
    • ABOUT LINDA ALLEY
  • SERVICES
    • Virtuoso Hotels
    • WELCOME GUIDE
    • GIFT CARD
  • JOIN A TOUR
    • South Africa & The Okavango Delta
    • The Wonders of Columbia
  • PAST
    • THE WINES OF PORTUGAL
    • FLORIADE EXPO INFO
    • Enticing Douro
    • A JOURNEY THROUGH KENYA
    • SECRETS OF EGYPT & THE NILE
    • HUDSON VALLEY, NY
    • TASTE OF BORDEAUX
    • CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
    • MAGICAL CHRISTMAS MARKETS
    • ISRAEL
    • INDIA
    • CUBA
    • TULIP TIME CRUISE
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • BLOG
  • NEWS & MEDIA
  • CONTACT
8071395425_6f879d2f0f_b.jpg

How to find the Fountain of Youth

June 28, 2017

The Fountain of Youth is a spring that supposedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters. Tales of such a fountain have been recounted across the world for thousands of years, appearing in writings as early as by Herodotus (5th century BCE). So, where is it?  Turns out it’s everywhere according to Northwestern University’s SuperAging study—a research project analyzing the brains of people who seem to be resistant to the detrimental memory changes all-too-often associated with aging.

As we age, our brains shrink, which leads to a decline in cognition the older we get. “Atrophy is thought to contribute in part to the moments of forgetfulness we experience with aging," says Emily Rogalski, Ph.D., the director of the study. SuperAgers, however, lose less brain volume—one study found that over the course of 18 months, 'normal' agers lost volume in the cortex (the brain area linked to critical thinking) twice as fast as SuperAgers. In the case of 86-year-old June Scott, her brain is considered younger than she is, with parts of it looking similar to the brains of people in their 50s.

So, what has travel got to do with it? Anecdotally, researchers have found another common thread: “Initial hints suggest SuperAgers tend to be socially active, including volunteering at homeless shelters, participating in church groups, playing cards, reading to young children, leading exercise groups, and of course some, like June Scott, are avid travelers," says Rogalski.

Scott has visited all seven continents, over 87 countries and shows no signs of stopping. She recently returned from Palestine and Israel; before that, she was in Cuba. In December, she slept in a pop-up tent in the world’s largest sand desert, the Arabian Peninsula’s Empty Quarter—often considered one of the least explored places on Earth. Last August, with her family, she hiked sand dunes over 900 feet high, flew over the Skeleton Coast in a tiny plane, and kayaked with seals in Namibia.

Are all SuperAgers world travelers? No. In fact, results from Northwestern University’s SuperAgers studies suggest that the only common denominators among SuperAgers seem to be their amazing memories and youthful brains.

It’s widely known, that sociability is a trait that proves to be crucial to growing old. Strong social connections help fend off problems like depression, known to steal years from a life, but as Rogalski explains, talking is taxing: “Conversations make your brain work.”

Melissa Gartenberg Livney, Psy.D., a geriatric psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, points out that when people travel, they are typically doing so either with a partner, spouse, group of friends, or in some kind of organized fashion. “There’s a built-in sense of community… As people get older and friends’ abilities may not be on par with theirs, traveling in a group format can help you connect with similar people," she notes.

According to Scott, who doesn’t like to repeat trips, her adventures “open her vistas.” It’s a point researchers agree with, as our brains thrive off of newness and challenge. “It was previously thought that we were born with a certain amount of neurons and that number only went down,” Rogalski says. “Now, we’re understanding that might not be the case.”

Neurogenesis—the formation of new neurons—is driven, in part, by new and novel experiences. “When you go to Iran, Dubai, India, or China and then read about these places in the news, everything makes more sense,” says Scott. “In a three-week trip, I know I don't have the whole story, but I have more than I did.”

Though Scott admits traveling the globe well into her 80s isn’t without its challenges. “Sometimes I think, ‘Have I bit off more than I can chew?’” she says. “You have to be flexible and lug your luggage through airports and walk miles and miles and take buses or trains.” But the benefits outweigh the hardships: “Once you arrive, it makes up for everything. I believe in travel. I think more and more people should do it so we can be ambassadors for the world we live in.”

Travel may just be the Fountain of Youth.  

Ponce de Leon searched the world, June Scott is collecting her passport stamps. 

What about you?

*Thanks to Ellen Newman for sharing this info

 

Call Me - Let's Talk ! 415-931-1945
Prefer to Email? info@WeMakeTravelEasy.Com

Enjoy reading my blog? Sign up for my newsletter to be a We Make Travel Easy travel insider. 

Tags we make travel easy, travel, vacation, fountain of youth
← Summer Escapes Meet our newest team member! →
  • April 2023
    • Apr 15, 2023 Is it bad to say the  G word?? Apr 15, 2023
  • October 2021
    • Oct 1, 2021 La Orana: Tahiti Oct 1, 2021
  • August 2021
    • Aug 11, 2021 We Make Travel Easy Celebrates The Virtues of Gardening and Travel... Aug 11, 2021
  • May 2021
    • May 29, 2021 Floriade 2022 and Beyond May 29, 2021
  • March 2021
    • Mar 9, 2021 What is a Digital Health Passport? Mar 9, 2021
  • October 2020
    • Oct 28, 2020 America the Beautiful is waiting to be Rediscovered! Oct 28, 2020
  • June 2020
    • Jun 5, 2020 5 W’s and an H 🚗 🚉 ✈ 🚢 Jun 5, 2020
  • April 2020
    • Apr 11, 2020 Community Immunity Apr 11, 2020
  • March 2020
    • Mar 25, 2020 Yes You Can! Mar 25, 2020
    • Mar 17, 2020 Travel in the Time of Corona Mar 17, 2020
  • February 2020
    • Feb 28, 2020 How Much Should You Worry? Feb 28, 2020
    • Feb 12, 2020 Now where was I? Feb 12, 2020
  • January 2020
    • Jan 28, 2020 What a difference 6 years can make! Jan 28, 2020
  • October 2019
    • Oct 8, 2019 When is the best time to buy air fare? Oct 8, 2019
  • September 2019
    • Sep 24, 2019 What’s so magical about September 30th? Sep 24, 2019
    • Sep 10, 2019 Lost in Time - Found in Paradise Sep 10, 2019
  • August 2019
    • Aug 27, 2019 Venice or Vanish? Aug 27, 2019
    • Aug 1, 2019 How Early is Early? Aug 1, 2019
  • July 2019
    • Jul 16, 2019 High Fashion at 30,000 Feet - This is not the Red Carpet Jul 16, 2019
    • Jul 2, 2019 Where is the airline's sweet spot? Jul 2, 2019
  • June 2019
    • Jun 18, 2019 Did You Forget Something? Jun 18, 2019
    • Jun 4, 2019 Don't forget to renew this! Jun 4, 2019
  • May 2019
    • May 7, 2019 Tis the Season... May 7, 2019
  • April 2019
    • Apr 23, 2019 Meet Our Travel Scout Wandering New Zealand's Wine Country Apr 23, 2019
  • February 2019
    • Feb 5, 2019 Kiss a Giraffe??? Feb 5, 2019
  • January 2019
    • Jan 8, 2019 Catch the wave! Jan 8, 2019
  • December 2018
    • Dec 25, 2018 What's Wellness Got to Do With It? Dec 25, 2018
    • Dec 4, 2018 What's the best use for your sunglasses on the plane? Dec 4, 2018
  • September 2018
    • Sep 26, 2018 Taking My Own Advice Sep 26, 2018
    • Sep 4, 2018 What Is Your Passport IQ? Sep 4, 2018
  • August 2018
    • Aug 21, 2018 Did you forget something? Aug 21, 2018
    • Aug 7, 2018 Are You Or Someone You Love, Special? Aug 7, 2018
  • July 2018
    • Jul 24, 2018 Free Can Be Very Costly Jul 24, 2018
    • Jul 10, 2018 Does this Sweeten the Deal? Jul 10, 2018
  • June 2018
    • Jun 26, 2018 Better than Cuba Jun 26, 2018
  • May 2018
    • May 29, 2018 When is hacking a good thing? May 29, 2018
    • May 15, 2018 A Must Do Weekend May 15, 2018
  • April 2018
    • Apr 24, 2018 What would Don Quixote think? Apr 24, 2018
    • Apr 10, 2018 Are you your own worst enemy? Apr 10, 2018
  • March 2018
    • Mar 27, 2018 Tales of a Real ID Mar 27, 2018
    • Mar 13, 2018 How to get compensated for flight delays Mar 13, 2018
  • February 2018
    • Feb 27, 2018 What Would Goldilocks Do? Feb 27, 2018
    • Feb 13, 2018 Flu or Flew? Feb 13, 2018
    • Feb 4, 2018 How much is enough? Feb 4, 2018
  • January 2018
    • Jan 19, 2018 Hold the meat please! Jan 19, 2018
  • December 2017
    • Dec 26, 2017 Mourning on the Ganges Dec 26, 2017
    • Dec 12, 2017 Need some ideas for the traveler on your list? Dec 12, 2017
  • November 2017
    • Nov 28, 2017 One down, One to go! Nov 28, 2017
    • Nov 14, 2017 How to Survive Holiday Travel Nov 14, 2017
    • Nov 1, 2017 Just when you thought you had airport security down... Nov 1, 2017
  • October 2017
    • Oct 23, 2017 My Experience On U By Uniworld's Launch Cruise Oct 23, 2017
    • Oct 20, 2017 Have I got a deal for you! Oct 20, 2017
    • Oct 4, 2017 Is it worth the investment? Oct 4, 2017
  • September 2017
    • Sep 29, 2017 Travel Focus: Croatia Sep 29, 2017
    • Sep 22, 2017 Travel Focus: Africa Sep 22, 2017
    • Sep 20, 2017 What can we learn from HIM (Harvey, Irma, Maria)? Sep 20, 2017
    • Sep 13, 2017 You Must Be 21 to Read This Sep 13, 2017
  • August 2017
    • Aug 25, 2017 Are you in STEP?​ Aug 25, 2017
    • Aug 23, 2017 Best Kept Airport Bookstore Secret Aug 23, 2017
  • July 2017
    • Jul 27, 2017 How to Save Money on Travel for 2018 Jul 27, 2017
    • Jul 13, 2017 Uh Oh, What's United up to now? Jul 13, 2017
  • June 2017
    • Jun 30, 2017 Summer Escapes Jun 30, 2017
    • Jun 28, 2017 How to find the Fountain of Youth Jun 28, 2017
    • Jun 21, 2017 Meet our newest team member! Jun 21, 2017
    • Jun 16, 2017 What can you do with all your frequent flyer miles? Jun 16, 2017
    • Jun 14, 2017 Father's Day Travel Ideas Jun 14, 2017
  • May 2017
    • May 31, 2017 Did you leave enough? May 31, 2017
    • May 24, 2017 No need to take these home with you! May 24, 2017
    • May 10, 2017 7 Wonders of the World May 10, 2017
    • May 6, 2017 Best Trip To Take With Mom May 6, 2017
    • May 3, 2017 How to Pick a Travel Agent May 3, 2017
  • April 2017
    • Apr 21, 2017 Green Travel Ideas Apr 21, 2017
    • Apr 19, 2017 Do you have a “Ticket to Ride”? Apr 19, 2017
  • March 2017
    • Mar 28, 2017 Passport Changes; Facts You Need to Know - Part 2 Mar 28, 2017
    • Mar 14, 2017 Passport Changes; Facts You Need to Know About the Real ID Act Mar 14, 2017
  • February 2017
    • Feb 24, 2017 May I have the envelope please? Feb 24, 2017
    • Feb 16, 2017 Why Travel? Feb 16, 2017
    • Feb 13, 2017 Kiss Your Bag Goodbye Feb 13, 2017
  • January 2017
    • Jan 31, 2017 Airlines' Eleven - A Movie Sequel?? Jan 31, 2017
    • Jan 18, 2017 Why Global Entry? Jan 18, 2017
    • Jan 1, 2017 What your brain needs most in 2017! Jan 1, 2017
  • December 2016
    • Dec 13, 2016 India Part II by David Perlstein Dec 13, 2016
    • Dec 5, 2016 India Part I by David Perlstein Dec 5, 2016
    • Dec 5, 2016 ISRAEL - FROM ANTIQUITY TO TECHNOLOGY Dec 5, 2016
  • November 2016
    • Nov 28, 2016 Tiger Safari - India Nov 28, 2016
    • Nov 8, 2016 Incredible India Nov 8, 2016
    • Nov 1, 2016 How much is enough? Nov 1, 2016
  • October 2016
    • Oct 31, 2016 What's the difference between a Bistro and a Bistro? Oct 31, 2016
    • Oct 11, 2016 10 Tips For Better Travel Photos Oct 11, 2016
  • September 2016
    • Sep 27, 2016 What can’t you book on Expedia? Sep 27, 2016
    • Sep 25, 2016 Cuba Then & Now Sep 25, 2016
    • Sep 13, 2016 Could this be what you forgot to pack? Sep 13, 2016
  • August 2016
    • Aug 23, 2016 What is the one thing you should never recycle? Aug 23, 2016
    • Aug 14, 2016 2016 Top Hotel Choices World Wide - India Top 10 Aug 14, 2016
    • Aug 9, 2016 Will the Friendly Skies Become More Friendly?? Aug 9, 2016
  • July 2016
    • Jul 26, 2016 What’s so special about August 23,2016?​ Jul 26, 2016
    • Jul 12, 2016 Zebras and Zika Virus, Who Knew???​ Jul 12, 2016
  • May 2016
    • May 3, 2016 OMG, did you really say that? May 3, 2016
 

© 2023 We Make Travel Easy. All rights reserved. CST# 2118416-40 | FLST# ST40958

Terms & Conditions