“As he reaches my side of the car, an internal scream ravages my mind. My heart starts beating faster and faster … Any sudden movement could provoke deadly repercussions…”

He is an African elephant 🐘. Despite visceral fear in this young author’s retelling of an elephant encounter, the gentle giant posed no danger.

This experience of a new environment, physical challenge, stress hormones, and awe blend into a cocktail we call adventure.

And, while not commonly associated with ‘healthy’ types of tourism (think luxury retreats and longevity spas), adventure tourism can have immense physical, emotional, spiritual benefits that support a long and fulfilling life.

You might already be an adventurer. It’s a weekend camping trip. ⛺ Riding on the back of an elephant. Navigating bustling Tokyo streets.

The Adventure Travel Association defines Adventure tourism as any trip that includes at least two of the following:

At the heart of adventure is “connecting with a new culture or environment in a way that is exciting and stimulating,” says Dr. Nicola Cann, an educational psychologist.

It’s more than an exciting or eye-opening way to interact with the world.

Adventure can fundamentally rewire your brain, and this can have numerous benefits for both health span and lifespan.

Adventure cultivates new ways of thinking. It starts with neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to change, adapt, rewire, and grow. This is one of the most effective ways to keep your brain sharp as you age. 🧠

Novelty strengthens neuroplasticity, and travel is an enriching way to experience new: whether it’s cultures, sights, experiences, relationships, information, or learning opportunities.

In another sense, travel is like exercise for your brain. The hippocampus fires when you navigate a map and directions. The prefrontal cortex turns on when you need to socialize with locals, or problem solve.

Adventure doesn’t translate to death-defying risk. Sure, it can. But participating in adventurous tourism can often create the perception of taking risks, explains psychologist Dr. Cann.

Risks “force us to think about ourselves in a new way,” according to this New York Times archive. It can be a tool for learning, growth, and self-discovery.

There are two types of adventure tourism, and risks vary between them. Cann explains:

Risk is subjective, which can be great news. Even soft risks, like attempting conversation in a foreign language, can spark confidence and make your brain feel rewarded. Healthy adventure in it’s own rite.

The adventurous path can be uncertain, but navigating challenging situations trains psychological resilience. It’s a buffer against stress and significantly reduces your risk of dying.

In a study in Finland, men who took less three weeks of vacation a year were 37% more likely to die before 80! Why? They had less psychological resilience.

🌿 Nature can be instrumental to resilience too.

Our environment trains us to adapt to our surroundings. It’s how we grow. Become better people. It encourages what some researchers call ‘life teaching,’ and contributes to greater psychological health.  

One of the strongest predictors of lifespan, physical activity is also one of the three defining pillars of adventure tourism. 🥾

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Intentional adventure is not idle. It begs participation, and expanding beyond your perceived comfort zone.

Here are five opportunities to inspire your next adventure:

Adventure tourism reframes longevity travel. It’s not just spa retreats or supplements, or diagnostics and quite reflection. It’s retreating, unwinding, and reinvigorating your mind, body, and spirit among herds of elephant, or knee deep in the waters of Wyoming’s Snake River. It’s about choosing challenge.

👉 Curious to go deeper? Check out our other articles on movement, posture, and longevity on our website. Share this newsletter with someone who needs it.

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Until next time!

About the author: Erin is the Senior Editor at Livelong Media, where she explores the intersection of health, science, and the human experience. Having also been a journalist for pharmaceutical, cultural, and arts organizations, she is guided by curiosity, optimism, and a drive to improve society.

_{The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.}

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