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Travel and holidays could help dementia patients – ‘sense of freedom’

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New research on tourism management has c . The study found there could be significant cognitive benefits.

The study authors noted that travel stimulates thoughts and knowledge which may help dementia patients.

It also puts people in a new environment and encourages social interaction which can stimulate brain function.

and physical function is known to benefit dementia patients.

Remembering past experiences is also thought to benefit dementia patients and travel may help stimulate memories.

READ MORE: Bus services axed across UK – is your area affected? Full list

TRAVEL: Dementia

Travel could help treat dementia patients (Image: GETTY)

Dr Jun Wen, one of the study’s authors, told Medical News Today: “All tourism experiences offer elements of anticipation and planning, both of which stimulate brain function.

“Exercise is often an important component of tourism experiences, and it is frequently included in dementia intervention plans.

“Tourism experiences such as a beach visit offer dementia patients sensory stimulation, boosting one’s mood, exercise, music therapy, and instilling a sense of freedom as non-medicine dementia interventions.

“Group travel may simulate psychological interventions, and music at a destination is in line with music therapy programs for those with dementia.”

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Dr Wen added that it wouldn’t be possible for every dementia patient to travel overseas but a team approach could help.

He said: “From a tourism destination perspective, many opportunities exist for marketing a destination as ‘dementia-friendly.”

In the UK, an estimated 850,000 people are living with dementia, and around seven percent of over 65s have the condition.

Travel can also help to improve mental health more generally as well as boost physical wellbeing.

READ MORE: Tourists have to pay to visit beaches in Italy

TRAVEL: Dementia

Travel could help trigger memories for dementia patients (Image: Getty)

A 2015 study from the University of Tampere in Finland found that an eight day holiday can reduce stress levels.

However, that could depend on the type of holiday as beaches may be more relaxing than city breaks.

Meanwhile, a study from Cornell University found that just planning a holiday gives people a happiness boost.

Britons could book a holiday in Lisbon, which was recently named as the world’s happiest city.

Meanwhile, the happiest country in the world is Finland with Denmark and Iceland close behind.

Some scientists believe that travel could have a meaningful and positive impact on depression.

Travel also helps British people become more creative, according to research on holidays.

Adam Galinksy, a professor at Columbia Business School, said: “Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms.”

Travelling Brits warned vaping in these countries could land you in jail

by www.dailystar.co.uk Leave a Comment

It’s finally summer so many Brits are jetting off to warmer climates and enjoying the sunbeds by the pool.

We all love the food, weather and beaches when abroad – but not every country accepts the same rules as the UK.

Britain’s 3.3 million vapers are being warned to check for any restrictions on vapes and e-cigarettes in their destination – or they could receive a hefty fine or a prison sentence.

READ MORE: ‘I avoided beaches because my body wasn’t perfect – but now I proudly wear bikinis’

In fact, vaping in certain countries could land you with a jail sentence or massive fine.

Brits who travel with vapes or e-cigarettes are being warned by vape pod retailer Vape Club to check for any restrictions on the devices in their destination.

The most serious punishments are in the popular destinations of Thailand, Singapore and Australia.

Unsuspecting tourists in Thailand could be fined up to 30,000 baht (around £700) or sent to prison for up to 10 years.

In Singapore, possessing an e-cigarette could mean a fine of S$2,000 (about £1,200).

Australia recently announced a crackdown on vapes containing nicotine, which now require a doctor’s prescription.

To avoid a huge fine of up to A$222,000 (over £125,000), vapers travelling to the country should make certain they don’t take any nicotine e-liquid with them.

Some Australian states even impose prison sentences for importing nicotine e-liquid.

Last year, beaches in popular Spanish destinations such as Barcelona announced a smoking ban, which came into force from 1st July.

This is being enforced at 115 of Spain’s 3,514 beaches, including in the Costa Del Sol and Belearic isles.

While this is specifically a ban on cigarettes, ecigarette users should check with the authorities that they’re safe to vape.

Football fans heading to the Qatar 2022 World Cup could get three months in prison or a fine of up to 10,000 riyals (around £2,200) for vaping.

Other countries that have banned the smoking cessation method include Turkey, Brazil, Japan, the Seychelles and Barbados.

According to the ONS, the number of vapers in the UK has risen by almost 80% since they began tracking use in 2014.

Before they board an airline or relax with a vape on the beach abroad, Britain’s 3.3 million vapers should check the local regulations.

Dan Marchant, director of Vape Club, says: “Even as the popularity of vaping increases around the world, the laws surrounding it are constantly changing, so travellers really need up-to-date advice before going anywhere.

It’s imperative that any vaper looks into the country’s vaping laws before they go ahead and book their holiday to avoid running in to a difficult situation.

If you have booked trip to a country where vaping is banned, it is best not to risk a fine or worse being chucked in a cell.

Football fans heading to Qatar for the World Cup need to be especially careful: the penalties there are particularly severe.

If your destination is open to vaping and you are travelling by plane, please remember this important safety advice.

Always keep your batteries and vaping devices in your hand luggage as they need to stay in a pressure controlled environment, and must not be left in your checked baggage.

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I’m a plus size travel blogger and these are the 9 things I can’t get on a flight without

by www.thesun.co.uk Leave a Comment

A PLUS size travel blogger has shared the list of things she cannot get on a flight without.

With summer in full force, most of us are looking forward to hop on a plane and go somewhere – whether it’s a short getaway in Europe or a longer trip to Asia or the Caribbean.

One woman who certainly loves travelling is Kirsty Leanne , who, in her own words, regularly takes it to TikTok and her blog to help plus size people travel the world.

Recently, the social media star, whose videos have amassed her more than a whopping one million views, shared a list of ten must-have travel essentials.

In the video , which has taken the internet by storm, Kirsty said that the first thing to not forget are shoes with adjustable straps.

This is in case your feet begin to swell, she explained.

Another item to not leave behind are chub-rub shorts that will prevent your thighs from chafing.

”Always have anti chafe balm/cream too,” she continued in the comments.

Just as important as these shorts are also comfortable clothes – in the video Kirsty posed with a stunning, flowy maxi dress.

If you’ve planned a beach holiday to soak up the sun and enjoy the lovely breeze, the blogger also reminded to grab a beach towel – she opted for Size XL.

Whether you’re on the beach or not, it’s vital to bring sunscreen with you.

According to her, spray mist is a great option for those hard-to-reach places.

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Sharing her favourite plus size travel essentials, Kirsty, who has more than 54,000 followers on the social media giant, said a microfibre cooling towel was also another must-have, as it’s great for keeping cool and removing sweat.

A great addition – or an alternative – is chucking in a portable fan to give yourself a little breeze.

To carry all your essentials throughout the day, don’t forget to take a strong backpack – and a wheelie suitcase for the rest of the journey, as it’s easier to push.

Last but certainly not least, she reminded, is a sense of adventure – this goes without saying.

Juneteenth travel chaos as thousands of flights canceled with woman ‘having a heart attack while running to gate’

by www.thesun.co.uk Leave a Comment

THOUSANDS of axed and delayed flights left travelers across the US stranded over the Juneteenth holiday weekend.

One shocking image shows a child left sleeping on the airport floor amid claims that another passenger had a heart attack running to her gate.

By Monday morning, airlines had scrubbed 290 flights after canceling thousands more over the Juneteenth and Father’s Day weekend.

The travel chaos hit as airlines and airports grapple with growing crowds of summer vacationers.

Friday marked the busiest day of the year for air travel, the TSA said.

One mom tweeted that her 17-year-old son had witnessed a woman suffer a heart attack running to her gate at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina on June 17.

She wrote: “Multiple last min gate changes, 2 canceled flights, woman had a heart attack in front of him after running to a new gate, hours stuck on plane only to have it canceled.

“I drove over 350 miles to get him home.”

The Sun has contacted Charlotte-Douglas International Airport for comment.

They confirmed emergency crews were called to reports of a person with chest pains on June 17 but said “no patients were transported with life threatening injuries.”

Others took to Twitter over the holiday weekend to share their frustrations at the travel chaos.

Sharing an image of her daughter sleeping on the airport floor, Nikki Webber wrote: “If you don’t have enough pilots, stop selling all of the flights.

“I would rather pay more and arrive on time so my kids aren’t sleeping on the disgusting airport floor in the middle of the night waiting for your pilots to arrive.”

Another added: “I landed 90 minutes ago and haven’t moved. @Delta I wouldn’t wish you on my worst enemy.”

New mother Brooke Osborne said she was running out of supplies for her baby.

She said: “We’ve just been giving her more food throughout the day and less bottles since all of her formula is in our checked bag, which is in Omaha.”

Airports with the most cancellations at the end of last week included those in Charlotte, North Carolina, a major hub for American Airlines.

LaGuardia and Newark Liberty in the New York City area, and Reagan Washington National outside Washington, D.C. were also badly affected.

On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg held a virtual meeting with airline CEOs.

They met to discuss the steps the airlines are taking to operate smoothly over the July 4 holiday and the rest of the summer, and to improve accommodation of passengers who get stranded when flights are canceled.

Buttigieg tweeted on Friday: “Air travelers should be able to expect reliable service as demand returns to levels not seen since before the pandemic.”

Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, airlines struggled with bad weather and shortages of workers, especially pilots, leading to widespread cancellations.

Delta Air Lines canceled the most flights over the Memorial Day stretch.

It said Friday it has reduced cancellations by hiring more pilots and flight attendants and by scheduling crews to adjust more quickly to disruptions such as thunderstorms.

Delta said: “We apologize for any inconvenience and delay customers have experienced as a result of issues primarily driven by weather, ATC, and crew resources.

“Delta people continue working hard to deliver the operations customers have come to expect from us, and we are working quickly to resolve travel issues and get customers to their destination.”

The airline told CNN: “A variety of factors continue to impact our operations, including challenges with air traffic control, weather and unscheduled absences in some work groups.

“Canceling a flight is always our last resort, and we sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience to their travel plans.”

How travel will resume around Australia as coronavirus restrictions ease

by www.abc.net.au Leave a Comment

After a number of weeks stuck mostly at home — and with the prospect of more to come — many Australians will be wistfully dreaming of their first opportunity to head out for a well-earned holiday.

And while Prime Minister Scott Morrison has made it very clear that any hopes of an overseas adventure should be shelved for “the foreseeable future” , the prospects for regional and interstate travel are more promising.

As each state and territory unveils its individual plans , in line with the Federal Government’s three-step framework announced on Friday , the road back to domestic travel becomes slightly clearer.

There’s still much to be decided, and a number of states are yet to lay out their plans, but here’s all the information we have in each state and territory so far.

Queensland

On Friday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk released Queensland’s roadmap to easing restrictions , a detailed plan to move the state through the three steps outlined by the PM.

Travel within the state was a big part of the strategy, with Ms Palaszczuk saying the plan is for people to “be able to take a drive holiday within their region so that Queenslanders can back Queenslanders” in time for the June school holidays.

Travel restrictions remain fairly tight through stage one, which begins at 11:59pm next Friday, May 15. During that first phase, people will be allowed to travel up to 150 kilometres within their region — or up to 500km for those who live in the outback — but only for a day trip .

Things will ramp during step two though, which is planned to begin on June 12. At that point, recreational travel is increased to a max of 250km within your region, with accommodation — including camping and caravan parks — open for business to encourage “drive holidays” .

Step three is slated to begin on July 10, all going well, and Ms Palaszczuk has said she hopes people will be able to move around the state freely at that point.

“We are absolutely hoping, fingers crossed, if our numbers remain low and everything is going well, we will be able to open up travel for right across Queensland [during step three],” she said.

“I know that means a lot to people — I know people are missing seeing their family and friends from the other regions across Queensland.”

During step three, Queensland will assess its border policies with the hope of opening up interstate travel too, but Ms Palaszczuk says they will take a cautious approach.

“We will be reviewing our borders of course and if the rates of transmission track lower in New South Wales and Victoria, we will look at enabling interstate travel.

“But let me put the proviso on — that is going to be based on health advice and I will not put Queenslanders or Queensland families at risk and if there’s a risk, the border will remain closed.”

South Australia

The situation in SA is even more clear-cut now — residents are free to travel around the state from this Monday, May 11 .

Previously, the advice had been to “reconsider your need to travel to regional areas”, but that advice will be relaxed on Monday too.

“Not only are we saying it’s possible, in fact we’re encouraging it,” Premier Steven Marshall said.

Camping at national parks and reserves is reopening, provided gatherings are kept to 10 people or less and social distancing and hygiene practices are adhered to.

Border restrictions in South Australia currently require any interstate visitor to quarantine for 14 days, and that will remain the case even after May 11 — state border restrictions are among the “future steps for consideration” in South Australia’s roadmap, and will not be discussed before June 8 .

Tasmania

Tasmania’s easing of restrictions is set to be among the more cautious , meaning any sort of travel around the state is still a little way away — though some small concessions have been made sooner.

As of Monday, Tasmanians will be able to visit national parks and reserves within 30 kilometres of their home for exercise. It’s a small step, and the only one the state will take until at least June.

Once Tasmania reaches step two, which is set to be on June 15, accommodation including “camping, overnight boating and shacks” will be reopen for up to 20 people .

But there are currently no plans to ease the state’s tight border restrictions at any point during the currently scheduled three steps, the third of which is set to begin on July 13 with “border controls remaining in place”.

Northern Territory

The NT moved earlier than the rest of the country due to their low numbers of infections , and activated the first stage of its “roadmap to the new normal” on Friday, May 1.

From that date, people were allowed to “visit parks and reserves, including campgrounds”, though residents are still being encouraged to “only travel if you feel well”.

By the time the territory reaches stage three on Friday, June 5, “all businesses, facilities and services previously restricted” will be able to resume .

As for opening up the borders and allowing interstate travel? That is still some way away, according to Chief Minister Michael Gunner .

“South Australia can’t guarantee for me their border with Victoria, Queensland can’t guarantee for me their border with New South Wales, so that for me just strikes it straight out,” Mr Gunner said.

“WA I think is doing a great job, but we also had that outbreak in the Kimberley, so for me, all three borders at the same time and last.”

Australian Capital Territory

In the ACT, a handful of restrictions were eased on Friday , but none of them will have really made a sneaky holiday any more likely for Canberrans.

Campgrounds and national parks remain closed , and no time frame has been put on when any further restrictions are likely to be removed because, as the ACT Government says, “it is not a race to lift restrictions”.

Previously, Chief Minister Andrew Barr has said he is hesitant to release too many restrictions too quickly, lest the territory be faced with “an influx” of visitors from New South Wales, where restrictions are likely to remain tighter.

Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia

NSW and WA are planning to reveal their plans on Sunday , while Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said he would have more information on Monday and throughout the next week.

While we wait for more information from the respective premiers, it’s worth noting Victoria and NSW do not have border restrictions in the same vein as many other states, and NSW doesn’t have the sort of limit on travel distances that the likes of Queensland does.

WA, on the other hand, has a tight border restriction — and Premier Mark McGowan isn’t going to be easing it any time soon.

“I know there’s people in the east who say we should bring down the borders with the east, but we are frankly not listening to them. They are not coming down at this point in time and we will keep them in place,” Mr McGowan said.

“I need to be confident that we have very low, or virtually zero, rates on infection in the eastern states before we bring it down.”

For what it’s worth, Western Australia has already reopened its camping grounds , and wider intrastate travel looks set to be on the agenda for Sunday .

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