We’ve long felt that a Caribbean escape is good for you. But can travel improve your memory?
Can travel improve your memory? In this blog we’ll take a more wholesome look at getting away and what it can do for the state of your mental health.
Because, let’s face it, with Christmas around the corner and more talk of COVID variants on the horizon, we think we could all do with a boost.
Wellbeing is key
Going on a holiday — especially to new, exciting, and relaxing destinations like the Caribbean — can significantly benefit our mental health.
There’s nothing like floating on crystal clear cerulean waters and soaking up that vitamin d to boost your serotonin levels. However, one added benefit that many don’t consider, improved mental health from taking a holiday can boost brain function. Particularly the area of the brain that stores memories.
Most people think of a holiday as a way to escape and relax or have exciting new experiences. And while those are certainly reasons to go on a trip, the mental health benefits alone should be enough to convince you. Our mental health and wellbeing should be one of our number one priorities, especially in today’s age of high-stress, fast-paced living. Plus COVID obvs.
Travelling is good for your brain
Getting away from it all can go a long way towards lowering stress levels and improving brain power. Memory function can be particularly affected by both positive and negative experiences.
When we are anxious and depressed it’s harder for us to focus and remember things. However, when we are happy and enjoying ourselves we’re more alert to our surroundings, thus retaining more information.
Improves cognitive function
Neuroscientists have studied the effects of travelling on the brain and have found that the positive experiences of travelling can greatly improve our cognitive functions.
People used to believe that a person’s genetics determined their intellect and brainpower. But experts now understand our perception of the outside world, and how we interact with it, can alter our brains.
Essentially, they found those who have more enriching and enjoyable experiences are more likely to have a thicker cerebral cortex and, therefore, higher brain function.
Helps you create memories
When we get stuck doing the same things over and over again, we become a bit numb to life and our surroundings. However, when we push ourselves and enjoy new experiences, it boosts our serotonin levels which increases our focus on our surroundings.
Travelling, in particular, can have an immensely positive impact on our brain function by enabling us to create lasting memories. The more we enjoy ourselves and our surroundings, the more our brains will hold on to those good feelings and memories, improving our memory function overall.
Expands your awareness
Going on a holiday can also expand our understanding and awareness of the world around us.
Travelling piques our curiosity and desire to learn about new destinations and cultures, increasing our intellect. The more we learn and understand about the world, the broader our scope of reality becomes, as well as our ability to retain new information.
Boosts creativity
When our brains are functioning at a higher level, inspiration and creative ideas flow more naturally.
Experiencing the wonders of the world, like a tropical jungle or snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea, enriches our minds and improves our imagination. So going on holiday could actually feed your creativity.
Tips for your next brain-boosting trip
If your mental health could use a bit of TLC, a Caribbean escape is a great way to get your next brain-boosting fix.
The tips below will help you make the most of your next trip to ensure you have a positive and enjoyable experience:
Pack like a pro
One way to quickly ruin a trip is to find yourself either having to lug around too much or realizing you didn’t pack enough or the essentials. While you might think you have plenty of experience packing for a holiday, the following pro tips can help you pack in the most efficient way possible:
- Invest in a good suitcase
- Create a list to ensure you don’t forget anything
- Consider the 1-2-3-4-5-6 rule: 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 bottoms, 4 shirts, 5 pairs of socks, and 6 pairs of underwear.
- Opt for stain and wrinkle-resistant fabrics
- Roll your clothes instead of folding
- Bring an empty laundry bag for soiled clothing
Smartphone essentials
Smartphones are great for travelling as they can help us stay safe, provide us with directions, and allow us to store photos and videos to remember our experience.
However, losing a charger or bringing the wrong charger on a trip can lead to precarious situations. Make sure you have the right accessories and bring extras if possible. Just be sure you don’t rely on your phone so much that you aren’t enjoying the sites around you.
Visit somewhere new
When planning a vacation, it’s easy to fall back on familiar places you are used to. But you have a better chance of improving your mental health if you visit somewhere new. Cruise ship holidays, for example, are a great way to experience multiple new locations in one trip.
In conclusion
If you could do with a bit of a break, you should consider going on a holiday.
It’s important to let yourself relax now and then and get away from the stressors of everyday life. And of course, there’s the added benefit that travelling improves your brain function and makes you smarter.
Now there’s the small issue of just where to go? But we can help you there too. There’s so many incredible places to go in the Caribbean. But click the button below and we’ll tell you how you can explore seven different dreamy island locations in one trip.
