Life’s an adventure, especially when you go off track. That’s when the really cool things begin to happen, says William Barr, director of neuropsychology at NYU School of Medicine in New York.
“Studies on animal development suggest animals that take time to explore their environment develop richer neurological connections,” he says. So when you hop in the car for a road trip, ditch the GPS and just wing it.
To learn more, check out this article on Staying Sharp: An Exotic Vacation Could Be Just What Your Brain Needs.
That’s because, when left to its own devices, your brain may switch on its innate directional system that gets you to your destination, even if it takes a little longer and involves a few wrong turns. But, in the process, you’ll immerse yourself in a new environment and you may form stronger neural connections.
The stronger those connections, the better your mind engages with old and new facts, retrieves memories and sees patterns — the foundation for creativity and enhanced intelligence.
So the next time you’re thinking about programming your GPS to your destination, think again: Doing so can weaken the signals that activate your internal GPS. You may be less likely to notice your surroundings and memorize landmarks — and your mental map will be less detailed.
Go ahead and take a trip without your GPS. Even if you make a mistake, you’ll be learning something new.
Want to dig a little deeper? Let Your Mind Do the Navigating, Not the GPS.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any expert, professional or specialty advice or recommendations. Readers are urged to consult with their medical providers for all questions.