Research shows that travel and experiences with nature and wildlife are good for our mental wellbeing. But I wanted to know exactly what aspects of a trip impact my brain the most—so I strapped an EEG device to my head.
In Canada , physician are now capable to prescribe something improper to their patient — a sojourn to the zoo . This initiative , part of the country’snature prescription programme , taps into a growing body of enquiry that underscores the therapeutic mightiness of nature and travelling to new environments .
A 2020 study inNaturefound that multitude who know frequent change in scene are generally glad . Anotherreportedsignificant drops in stress for travelers just after a twenty-four hour period or two of embarking on their journeying . One of the most recent studies from Australia ’s Edith Cowan University even makes the case that travelling has the superpower todefy premature ageing .
So why does travel have such a sound impact on our mind ? Is it simply being away from the slog of menial work tasks , the absence seizure from unmindful scrolling — or is it something more ?
Photo courtesy Michelle Leung
“ travelling can naturally generate these really amazing encephalon Department of State that are veridical peak experience , ” explicate neuroscientist Irene Salter , who explores the scientific discipline behind our itchy feet in her forthcoming book tentatively titledHave Brain Will journey . Salter often repay to the mind of reverence as one of the most potent effects of locomotion . “ The veneration state is [ when ] your sense of self dumbfound really , really modest while we encounter this matter that is so much bragging than anything we ’ve ever made sensory faculty of before . ”
While most of the evidence we have on locomotion and genial wellness is based on longitudinal study and self - reportage , I lately participate in an experimentation withContiki , a social tour ship’s company , and Myndplay , a technical school fellowship that differentiate in electroencephalography ( EEG)—essentially a biometric technology that reads the electrical waves in your brain . To get a deeper look into how our brains are really responding to the act of travel , I wore portable EEG technology and body tv camera with one of Contiki ’s tour groups for a 10 - day hunting expedition through South Africa , Zimbabwe , Zambia , and Botswana .
These EEG machine measured my mind ’s electrical peaks as I went about the day ’s activity , while the dead body camera was programme to go off synchronously . I would n’t cognize the results until after the experiment ended , so the photos taken by my body camera would be used to infer what I was doing at the moment of each “ peak . ”
Image taken from Leung’s body camera of her equipment.|Photo via Michelle Leung
Though EEG gadget can measure a wide range of mental Department of State , this experiment specifically measured moments of involvement , creativity , joy , learning , relaxation method , and , at long last , the problematical “ flow land . ” Described by some people as “ getting in the geographical zone , ” the " flow rate state " is a mental state of such mysterious focus and concentration in an body process that it actually reduces levels of stress andself - referential thinking , such as worry , and ego - reflection . Studies show that simply experiencing this mental commonwealth regularlycan increase creativityand raise overall emotional health .
While this experimentation was part of a marketing campaign for Contiki — as opposed to a scientific study by an main research mathematical group — I see my participation as one of personal curiosity : How , precisely , did travel impact my brain ? Were the facet of travel that I tend to prioritize , like risky venture and cultural experiences , the same matter that made my mastermind lighter up ? And how would this experience compare to my normal day work and live in New York ?
To provide baseline results of my “ not - on - travel ” brain , I wore the EEG gimmick and consistence camera for eight hour during a veritable work Clarence Day and weekend day at household before jetting off for the first wooden leg of my journey .
Photo courtesy Michelle Leung
I went into this experimentation usurp that regardless of my overall experience on the tour , my spirit level of engagement and learnedness would in all likelihood be higher than an intermediate day at rest home . I ’m an brute enthusiast , so I was sure a safari would do something just for my genius . I was a scrap skeptical of how feign my levels of relaxation or pleasure would be , however . A safari sounded amazing , but certainly more taxing than a distinctive beach vacation , or even an average day at home base .
Plus , Contiki specializes in social travel for 18 - to-35 - year - olds , which mean their circuit include a box route that emphasizes further connections with fellow travelers . It also have in mind setting off on an adventure with a hoard of alien — something I did n’t think would positively impact my mental or worked up wellbeing , to say the least .
But after the first couple days of mild ineptness in getting to know a big group of new multitude , I did finger myself startle to make relaxed . And the beauty of the surroundings , combined with the camaraderie of fellow travelers , set out to lurch my initial arrest into a sense of excitement and connection .
Photo courtesy Michelle Leung
One dark , while lying in a tent in Botswana ’s Chobe National Park , I listen to the phone of an elephant herd ; they were so close I could see the branch break under their hoof as they moved through the encounter . It was an beatify experience .
At this point , I live that the solvent from my information would likely be jolly overconfident compared to my service line results , but I was n’t require how significant the difference would be . Despite my doubts , my moments of relaxation during the trip increased by 166 % . For reference , this “ acme ” is like to the state reached after practicing meditation , according to Tre Azam , founder and CEO of Myndplay .
The most notable increase was in the class of learning , which was up 234 % during my travel Clarence Day . This “ peak ” is accomplish when the brain is experience a minute of understanding , or quilt with a task or interaction . This was follow by a 168 % addition in pleasure , a 106 % increase in creativeness , and a 58 % increase in meshing .
Photo courtesy Michelle Leung
While everyone ’s brainiac has a unequaled response to an experience and surroundings , I did seem to have some fairly predictable responses . For instance , I seemed to really care sunsets , animals , and our very attractive spell guide .
Interestingly , the data showed that social interactions were among the most stimulating aspects of the trip . Anecdotally , this was the most unexpected part of my travel experience : as it turned out , I really like my fellow traveller . And even if I wanted to refuse it , my brain waves would betray me : it was clear from my EEG issue that I really love hanging out with them . The societal aspect of change of location , far from being a beguilement , proved to be an integral part of the genial benefits I get .
After 10 days of elephant , Leo the Lion , and a little gimmick attached to my question , I now have the personal data on just how importantly traveling experiences impact my brain — and the elevated province my head goes into that are brought on by experiences in nature , with wildlife , and when making novel connection . So what does this all intend ? Should I attempt to travel as much of my life as potential to uphold achieving these genial Department of State ? Salter believes that the benefits of travel can long outlive the experience itself . “ I find like travel connects you to the aliveness that ’s possible , ” she pronounce . “ And that our Book of Job is to bring that life back into our everyday life so that it ’s not only when we go that we feel live . ”
Photo courtesy Michelle Leung
Salter believes that travel can be a utilitarian cock to explore our own brain . “ Use change of location as a vacation spot , to try out with your own mind to figure out what it is about this travelling that ’s making your brainpower get along alive … And then count for those states in your every day when you get home . ”
While traveling to distant lands or embarking on a safari may not be viable for everyone , the genial health benefits of interchange surround and feel awe are within compass for most .
Even small transformation , like visiting a local wildlife refuge or just direct an alternate route home , can have heavy effects on our well - being . Ultimately , a change of scenery is n’t just refreshing — it can open up the mind to keen possibility .
Photo courtesy Michelle Leung
