The programme did emphasise (I had forgotten) that the social interaction was as important as the actual exercise - and certainly regarding maintaining a positive mood.

What the programme didn't plug was the recent appetite for mindfulness training. There is fairly good evidence that older people who practice this enhance/retain their cognitive function. And why I mention this is that whilst we are constantly planning trips we are hardly living in the moment which is contrary to the mindfulness philosophy ... but of course it's much more complicated than this.

To me, "mindfulness" is one of those newfangled words for age-old, obvious concepts, a word that I can't even really grasp or can't even care about - if it means being aware of what you're doing, where you are, what you're saying, well fine...just say so. It doesn't have to be couched in some new terminology that is vague and precious.. I find it silly. As for living in the moment, to me that is what travel is ALL about, because you're forced to live in the moment and DEAL with it.

I have absolutely no freaking idea if I'm practicing mindfulness or not, and don't care a whit. I get up in the morning, take care of my property and grow things, plan menus and cook things, go to market, interact with lots of people, have a vibrant social life, travel often, am always engaged in projects around the house, read as much as I can when I have the time, find a bit of time for pure relaxation, walk a lot and swim, deal constantly with administrative hassles here in France....is that mindfulness? If so, sorry, it's just Life In General. Not some "concept" invented by psychologists.

What an interesting discussion.

It would be reassuring to think we can control our genetic lottery, but there are children and young adults with dementia

http://www.aww.com.au/relationships/...dementia-25634

and physically challenged, but mentally alert elderly (parked in a nursing home with little stimulation or activity).

But there's no doubt travel makes most of us happy, and that's good in itself.

Regarding travel, I have certainly found that mindfulness helps me manage my anger travelling up and down the M62 most days - instead of putting two fingers up to rude drivers I now only use one, so that's progress.

On road rage, Steve, I have re routed my drive to work to now follow the delightful esplanade along one of our lovely beaches, seeing the dog walkers, the elderly shuffling along, the focussed runners, all choosing to enjoy life, puts a smile on my face; rather than the more direct, but frustrating main road with endless traffic jams.
Makes a huge difference to the start of my day, don't know why I didn't think of this earlier.

Is the M62 the bloody one always jammed pack to/from Manchester ?

The M62 is quite an attractive motorway, it's the traffic that's a problem. It claims to be the highest motorway in England and the sunrises cab be stunning. The sky can be blood red and lights up lovely scenery between Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Adelaidean, sounds like we need to arrange a job swap. Actually, there are alternative routes through wonderful countryside passing quaint Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd where Ted Hughes grew up and wrote the anthology Remains of Elmet based on the area. The same route goes through Luddendenfoot where the drunken Bramwell Bronte lost his job. I rarely get angry on this route.

I am just sending my brain on my next trip.