A brand new study has found that travel has positive effects on physical and mental health, considered one of which is delaying the aging process.

Applying entropy theory to tourism, researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia have found that tourist activities comparable to exercise and leisure help the body decelerate aging. According to an ECU press release, entropy is “the general trend of the universe to death and disorder.”

“(Aging) as a process is irreversible. Although it cannot be stopped, it can be slowed down,” said ECU doctoral candidate Fangli Hu. The entropy perspective sees positive tourism experiences as a possible method to mitigate the increase in entropy and improve health. “Tourism is not just about rest and recreation. It can also contribute to people’s physical and mental health,” Hu added. Wellness, health and yoga tourism have potential health advantages, comparable to boosting metabolism, energy and immune function through exposure to latest environments, positive social interactions, leisure and physical activities comparable to mountaineering, climbing, walking and cycling.

Tourism offers travelers the opportunity to have interaction in physical activity, which ECU researchers have found improves blood circulation, hastens the transport of nutrients and helps eliminate waste. Positive travel experiences might help the body maintain a low-entropy state, influence its self-organizing abilities and improve its ability to defend itself against external threats. “In simple terms, the self-defense system becomes more resilient,” Hu said. “Hormones that promote tissue repair and regeneration can be released and promote the functioning of the self-healing system.”

Leisure travel was found to potentially “help alleviate chronic stress,” which 2021 researchers said contributed to the rapid aging of black people resulting from aspects comparable to societal adversity and racial discrimination. The study, published in also linked depression to the rate of biological aging in black people.

Hu considered recreation as a way that advantages the bones, releases tension and fatigue in muscles and joints, and supports the body’s anti-wear system. These aspects help organs and tissues remain in a state of low entropy.

Hurricane Beryl was a big and destructive storm that struck the Caribbean in June and July. Forming as a tropical storm in late June, Beryl quickly strengthened right into a Category 2 hurricane because it moved westward across the Atlantic. In early July, it made landfall on several Caribbean islands, including Saint Lucia and Dominica, between July 2 and 4.

The hurricane’s strong winds, reaching 110 mph, and heavy rains caused severe flooding and landslides, particularly in Dominica, where many areas were rendered inaccessible by damaged roads and debris. The storm also led to widespread power outages and damage to infrastructure, including homes and public buildings.

In Saint Lucia, coastal areas experienced significant storm surge and flooding that destroyed businesses and disrupted every day life. As Beryl continued its path, it also affected parts of Puerto Rico and the northern Leeward Islands, exacerbating existing threats in those regions.

Hurricane Beryl was no match for the strength, perseverance and determination of the Caribbean people. Carnivals across the Caribbean went ahead as planned. From the Spice Mas in Grenada to the Carnival in St. Lucia, the spirit of celebration was unstoppable. Saint Lucia Tourism and Carnival participants spoke with BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP about your experiences.

“As the head of promoting in Saint Lucia Tourist authorities “Carnival played a key role in reviving the island’s spirit following Hurricane Beryl, especially given its effects felt throughout the region. The festival acted as a vibrant symbol of resilience and unity, bringing locals and tourists together in celebration. It provided a much-needed boost to the island’s economy and morale. National activities, private events, colourful parades and the energetic Dennery Segment and Soca music helped restore a sense of normalcy and joy, proving that even in the face of adversity, Lucian Carnival remains a source of strong cultural heritage and happiness,” said Jenelle Ernest, Head of Marketing at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.

She continued: “Carnival, to me, is so much more than just a festival; it is a profound expression of cultural identity and community spirit. It is a time when people come together to celebrate life, music and tradition in a way that transcends everyday concerns. The vibrant costumes, infectious rhythms and collective energy capture the essence of our shared heritage and joy. It is a reminder of the power of unity and the importance of celebrating our roots, which is both refreshing and deeply meaningful. Carnival is all about it – the culture, the people, the vibes.”

When asked how we are able to further enhance the profile of Saint Lucia Carnival and other events, she replied, “A series of ongoing efforts are needed to promote Saint Lucia Carnival and similar festivals across the Caribbean.”

She explained: “First, investing in high-quality marketing and branding campaigns to showcase the unique aspects of each Carnival is key. Building partnerships with international travel and tourism agencies, as well as celebrities and influencers, has helped us reach a wider audience. Finally, fostering collaboration between international Carnivals and Caribbean islands to create joint marketing strategies and shared events has helped to strengthen Saint Lucia’s appeal as a Carnival destination.”

Carnival enthusiast Mellisa Deandre has traveled the world attending carnivals from Brazil to Trinidad and Tobago. She explains, “One of the many reasons I love carnival is that it gives everyone, from lawyers to construction workers, a chance to let loose and enjoy beautiful music, people and culture. I travel with a group of people from both the Caribbean and beyond, who are doctors, entrepreneurs, politicians and more – who use carnivals as a way to take their minds off work and immerse themselves in something much bigger. Being here in St. Lucia was exactly what I needed after witnessing the devastation wrought by Beryl. Carnival is a celebration of freedom from oppression that everyone can enjoy!”

Between the vibrant and loving culture of Saint Lucia and Caribbean carnivals abroad, joy seems to be the theme. As the Caribbean islands proceed to grapple with climate change brought on by many larger nations, tourism officials and carnival enthusiasts agree on one thing: strengthening and protecting carnivals around the world is imperative to proceed bringing joy to the islands that deserve it most.

Many kids across the U.S. are back at school and the times are getting shorter, but there’s yet another opportunity to don your swimsuits and beach towels before packing them away: Labor Day.

Airports, highways, beaches and amusement parks are expected to be crowded over the long holiday weekend as many Americans rejoice the unofficial end of summer the identical way they celebrated the unofficial start of the season: by traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen greater than 17 million people between Thursday and next Wednesday — a record for the Labor Day holiday.

AAA says domestic travel bookings over the vacation weekend were up 9% 12 months over 12 months, while international travel bookings were down 4%.

American Airlines plans to host its biggest Labor Day weekend ever and expects a 14 percent increase in passengers over last 12 months.

If you are heading out to benefit from the last moments of summer, here’s a list of every thing it is advisable to know.

What are the costs?

Drivers are getting a break on gas in comparison with last 12 months. The national average was recently $3.44 a gallon, down from $3.86 a 12 months ago, in response to AAA.

For electric vehicles, the typical price per kilowatt of power at a industrial L2 charging station is about 34 cents. The average is below 25 cents in Kansas and Missouri, but exceeds 40 cents in several states, including New Hampshire, Tennessee and Kentucky. Hawaii is the most costly, at 56 cents.

Average airfares in July fell 7.1% from June and 2.8% from July 2023, in response to the federal government’s consumer price index. That trend appears to be accelerating as the height holiday season draws to a close.

“We’re now entering the traditional fall season, when demand drops, and that’s reflected in airfares,” said Steve Hafner, CEO of travel metasearch site Kayak. “Airfares are already down about 26% compared to the summer, and even down about 4% compared to last fall.”

When is the most effective time to hit the road?

If you plan to start out driving on the Thursday or Friday before Labor Day, you’ll be sharing the road with commuters. You will probably want to leave before the morning rush hour or even within the evening to avoid traffic.

Transport data provider INRIX says the worst time to drive on Thursday is between 1pm and 7.30pm, and on Friday between 2pm and 6pm. The situation changes on Saturday, when it’s best to avoid driving between 8am and 11am.

According to INRIX, the return journey will be strenuous all day long on Monday — from 11:00 a.m. to eight:00 p.m.

Beware of dangerous drivers. New data from Arity, a part of insurance giant Allstate, shows that speeding above 80 mph is up 83%, and “very high speed” — above 100 mph — is up greater than 50%.

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In a surprising twist, though, Arity claims that distracted driving has actually declined over the past three Labor Days.

When will airports be busiest?

Friday, in response to the TSA. The agency expects to go looking 2.86 million people who day. While impressive, that number wouldn’t even rank in the highest 15 days in TSA history. The single-day record of three.01 million was set July 7, the Sunday after Independence Day.

TSA says it has enough screeners to maintain wait times in regular lines to half-hour or less and not more than 10 minutes in PreCheck lines.

American Airlines says Thursdays and Fridays will be its busiest days, with 6,400 flights per day; the subsequent day is Labor Day itself, when the carrier has 6,300 flights scheduled.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled?

First, check your travel plans before heading to the airport. It’s higher to be stuck at home than stuck on the airport.

If your flight is canceled, the airline may routinely rebook you. This may not be the most effective option.

“Call (the airline’s help center), talk to an agent, reach out to the airline on social media if you have to, but find out what other options there are,” says Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, a browser extension that lets users compare prices with frequent flyer points. “You can almost always find another option that might work better than the one the airline is offering.”

Kheel said agents on the airport have more leeway to assist, but they may be swamped if there are a lot of canceled flights. Rebooking on your individual on the airline’s website or app can be faster, he said.

Calling Tip: Some experts say that in case your airline has international helpline numbers, you need to call one in all those numbers. This will connect you quicker than for those who were calling from the U.S.

What about returns and refunds?

Airlines are required to refund money — including fees — to passengers whose flights are canceled for any reason. They aren’t required to pay money compensation, nonetheless, and no major U.S. airline does so. Only Alaska, Southwest and JetBlue even promise travel vouchers if the cancellation is their fault.

If you’re stranded overnight, ask your airline about covering hotel, meals and ground transportation. All major U.S. airlines except Frontier promise to assist with all three forms of “managed” disruptions, in response to the Department of Transportation’s dashboard of airline policies. But those commitments don’t apply to weather-related cancellations.

Keep receipts for all expenses incurred in case it is advisable to make a claim later.

Some final suggestions

— Leave early. Everything will take longer than you expect, including getting through airport security. If you plan to park on the airport, be certain there are spaces available while you arrive—many airports now publish this information online.

— Watch the weather. Even if the skies are clear at home, there could be storms at your flight destination or along your route. Prepare a backup route.

— Be nice. Flight cancellations and bumper-to-bumper traffic are frustrating, but you won’t be the just one stuck. Customer service agents are busy during peak travel periods, so it’s vital to be patient and respectful as they struggle to make it easier to.