Longevity has become the new fashionable buzzword in travel, but not all ‘longevity holidays’ really make a difference. Sometimes it feels like another marathon – but with a greener cocktail in your hand. The question then becomes, is it possible to plan a holiday that is actually good for your health?

According to Arvydas Balčius, a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor and psychotherapist, what is currently in vogue is what is known, tested and has worked for a long time – just look back at the traditions of spa holidays.

“Primary physioprophylaxis doesn’t sound very understandable or attractive, but ‘longevity’? Immediately different. Longevity may connote something old, but the English version is quite different and more acceptable. It’s the same candy, but in a different wrapper,” – Balčius says.

He is convinced that longevity does not have a deep secret: “If we really want to live a healthy and long life, we need to solve some basic issues that are not complicated.” Together with Monika Peldavičienė, a nature and forest therapy guide, the doctor discusses what kind of holiday we can really call a longevity holiday, while Inga Urbanavičienė, chief marketing manager of the Druskininkai Tourist and Business Information Centre, explains why Druskininkai is the ideal place for this.

The key to longevity is not to get sick

When we talk about longevity, Balčius believes that we need to understand that the key is not to get sick during your life, because it is difficult to talk about longevity when you are sick.

“Illness does not start suddenly. It appears gradually because of the pace and speed of our lives and builds up until it manifests itself in the weakest part of the body – someone’s neck, someone’s waist, someone’s ulcer or high blood pressure. When we come to the spa, we realise that we need to stop, relax, listen to our body and let it heal itself naturally,” – explains the psychotherapist.

She explains that the word ‘resort’ comes from the German language and means a place of healing: “In the old days, people looked for places where they could recover from battles. Since it was not only about mechanical and physical injuries, but also about the psyche, these places were built around mineral springs, forests, where healing mud and other gifts of nature could be found. The purpose of the resorts has changed many times – to recover from war, then to get away from the bacteria and mould of the city, and now, to get away from the hustle and bustle.”

Balčius emphasises that the two goals of spending time in a spa are to reconnect the body with nature and to reconnect the head with the body: “By achieving these two goals, we achieve what is called longevity.”

Forest therapy – a science-based longevity tool

According to the doctor, it’s not just about what we do, but also how we do it. For example, it is not enough to simply be out in nature – we can reconnect with nature when we are “out of touch” and our phone is waiting for us at home. M. Peldavičiūtė also talks about the health benefits of being in nature.

“Studies show that regular time in the forest reduces systemic inflammation, a key factor in premature ageing and many chronic diseases. Forest air, enriched with phytoncides (substances secreted by plants that protect against bacteria), activates natural cell killers, boosts immunity and stimulates the body’s own processes related to cell longevity. In the forest, the body shifts from ‘stress mode’ to a state of regeneration, where true healing takes place.” – explains the boss of organisation “Gyvo Žalio” (“Live and Green”) boss.

Interestingly, research in Lithuania has shown that the healing effects of the forest are particularly pronounced in winter. During the cold seasons, there is a marked improvement in emotional wellbeing: stress levels are reduced, mood improves and mental resilience is strengthened. The winter forest, although visually quieter and calmer, has qualities that we often overlook.

Peldavičiūtė goes on to say that the slower breathing, sensory grounding and natural rhythms of the forest help to balance sleep, hormones and emotional stability – all key pillars of longevity. What’s more, unlike some artificial longevity practices, forest therapy works from the inside, not the outside, awakening the body’s natural mechanisms that were evolutionarily designed for us to live longer, calmer and healthier lives.

The benefits of being in the forest include activating creative thinking, improving information processing and decision-making, and even improving memory. Peldavičiūtė emphasises that even a short walk in the forest is good for our health, and with the help of certified forest bathing guides, forest therapy becomes a targeted, science-based health practice.

Slowly

According to Balčius, two other elements are also important for longevity: a balanced and complete diet and quality rest.

“We need to rest not only our bodies, but also our heads. So what if I’m lying in the bath thinking about how much money I have in my bank account? I may feel good if it’s a lot of money, but in any case I’m in the bank and not in treatment. The body does not react to facts, but to thoughts about facts, so what is the point of lying in a bath with mineral water or walking in the woods? You have to learn to be here and now with all your thoughts, all your body, all your feelings. Although this is not easy, it is the most direct way to longevity”. – A. Balčius points out.

“It is important to remember to do everything slowly. A person’s heart rate should be around 60 per minute, which means that the heart rests for 30 seconds per minute and works for 30 seconds per minute. But if I am constantly running and my pulse is 100 or 120, how long can the heart rest? Where does it go then? Those who run a lot usually don’t live long,” says the doctor.

He adds that rushing not only weakens the physical body, but also the central nervous system, until eventually we reach a limit and start to get sick.

“Being able to be in the moment helps us to better understand our body’s needs, listen and respond to them. We cannot follow one template. Some of us are otters, others are owls. Each time a person learns to listen to themselves and ask themselves if I need this right now, am I doing the right thing, they can create their own individual longevity holiday plan instead of paying money for a generic product,” – says A. Balčius.

Holidays that do not require regeneration

As I. Urbanavičienė, in Druskininkai longevity is not a fashion, but a tradition in resort tourism.

“Slow travel becomes a real physiological benefit in Druskininkai resort, as it combines all the elements that support longevity – movement in nature, sleep, stress reduction, medical care. Mineral water, therapeutic mud, forest microclimate and a slow rhythm work together. Thus, the Druskininkai longevity holiday is not just a fancy-sounding plan. It is a combination of spa medicine and a health-promoting rhythm of life,” – says I. Urbanavičienė, adding that this is a holiday that does not require any regeneration, as the body does it on its own.

Peldavičiūtė agrees, saying that Druskininkai has unique forests: “All over the world, national and regional ‘healing forests’ are rapidly being created – areas where nature is integrated with official health care. People come there not only for recreation, but also to improve certain health indicators. Although we do not yet have official ‘Healing Forest’ status, forest quality, research and practices show that we are on par with global role models. The forests here have phytonutrient-rich air and a unique landscape that has a profound impact on human wellbeing.”

The nature and forest therapy guide notes that the uniqueness of Druskininkai’s forests is also recognised by visitors from abroad. “A year ago, a company from Italy chose Druskininkai because of the forest therapy and healing microclimate of the region. They were particularly impressed by the Sun Trail with the winding wild Ratnyčėlė River, the modern K. Dineika Wellness Park with all its infrastructure and the Raigard Valley. They were impressed not only by the professionalism and infrastructure of the centre, but also by how quickly their wellbeing changed – stress decreased, sleep quality improved, their decision-making skills and creativity improved,” says the nature and forest therapy guide. He concludes that Druskininkai is becoming not only a Lithuanian, but also a European attraction for those seeking true natural longevity and wellness practices.