Today I had a conversation with a friend who is currently on a backpacking trip. We talked about the importance of cognitive function, especially when it comes to pursuing our passions like creating art and exploring the world around us, without getting overwhelmed by all the stimuli we encounter during our travels. Traveling can disrupt our routines, and if we're not careful, it can have the opposite effect on our mental well-being than the one we intended.
So, how can we ensure we enjoy ourselves while traveling and balance that with the work we want to create in the field?
Firstly, it's essential to establish good habits around sleep hygiene, diet, and exercise. For sleep, it's a good idea to pack earplugs and a sleep mask to reduce any distractions and ensure the best possible sleep quality. We need at least eight hours of sleep per night for optimal cognitive function.
Regarding diet, we should avoid highly processed foods and aim for a balanced diet. It's also helpful to bring along supplements like vitamin D, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and omega-3 fish oil tablets to replenish and heal our bodies after long days of exploring. It's also essential to drink at least two litres of water per day, more in hotter climates, to stay hydrated.
Exercise is also crucial. It can clear our heads, help us sleep, and build our appetite, which are all essential for healthy brain function. When our minds are functioning better, we can process more information and make better decisions, which is especially important when traveling in unfamiliar places around the globe.
In addition to these habits, journaling can be a powerful tool for maintaining mental well-being while traveling. Writing down our experiences, thoughts, and feelings can help us process our emotions and keep track of our mental state. It can also serve as a record of our journey, allowing us to reflect on our experiences and growth over time.
In conclusion, by establishing good habits around sleep, diet, exercise, and journaling, we can maintain our cognitive function and mental well-being while pursuing our passions and exploring the world around us.
Here are the key points of the article:
Traveling can disrupt our routines and mental well-being, especially when pursuing creative passions.
To enjoy traveling and balance it with work, it's important to establish good habits around sleep, diet, exercise, and journaling.
For sleep, pack earplugs and a sleep mask and aim for at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
For diet, avoid processed foods and aim for a balanced diet. Bring along supplements like vitamin D, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and omega-3 fish oil tablets and drink at least 2 litres of water per day.
Exercise can clear our heads, help us sleep, and build our appetite for healthy brain function.
Journaling can help us process emotions and keep track of our mental state, serving as a record of our journey and growth over time.