Summer-induced brain adjustments, according to medical professionals.
Revised Article:
Swapping up your surroundings ain't just a high-class luxury, it's essential for keeping your mental health game strong, especially during the sweltering summer months. That's the opinion of psychologist Elena Gordieva, according to the "Healthy People" portal.
Day-to-day routines help us muddle through most situations, sure, but constant stress and monotony can erode our mental well-being like a never-ending tide.
Once the boredom sets in, our brain starts to snooze, leading to unexplained fatigue, lack of motivation, anxiety, burnout, and even depression.
"Our brains crave change," Gordieva contends. "Brain scans show that it activates new zones, sparks dopamine production - a hormone linked to motivation and pleasure. When we break the cycle of familiarity, even temporarily, our brain starts working differently: more alert, energized, and revitalized. Basically, changing your environment ain't a fancy whim, it's a smart move to ward off emotional and psychological exhaustion."
Gordieva suggests rejuvenating during the summer season, as it naturally acts as a de-stressor – sun, warmth, blooming nature, and vacations. If a vacay isn't feasible, no worries – there are workarounds. Small changes like altering your daily stroll, a road trip to a nearby city, a home makeover, or a week off social media can work wonders.
Why a change of scenery is beneficial
Gordieva stresses that change of scenery brings quick benefits in multiple areas. First, it's a mental reset. In a new environment, the brain is kept busy, focusing on new sights and sounds, providing a distraction from everyday worries.
When we retreat from our familiar comfort zones, the background noise and tension diminish automatically. The brain perceives this as a "relaxation signal."
Away from the daily grind, we find our inner voice more clearly. Fresh ideas pop up, inspiration strikes, and we gain a whole new perspective on things we used to take for granted.
Travel, with its exploration and physical activity, triggers the production of endorphins – those feel-good hormones that make us all smiley and giggly inside.
Recharging without a vacation
For folks who can't jet-set just yet, Gordieva shares some tips:
- Give your visuals an upgrade: redesign your living space with summer-themed decor – flowers, breezy fabrics, pops of color.
- Unplug for a weekend – head outside – parks, botanical gardens, rivers, neighborhoods you've never explored before.
- Practice a digital detox – disconnect for a bit, rediscover your offline life.
- Learn something new – courses, hobbies, deciphering ancient texts (just kidding – but hey, why not learn something interesting?).
Proper Rest on Vacation
To come back from a vacation feeling refreshed and revitalized, it's crucial to truly kick back and unwind, not just go through the motions. Follow these tips:
- Log off from work – this should be non-negotiable.
- Don't jam-pack your leisure time – leave time for aimless wandering and relaxation.
- Engage in physical activity – go for walks, swim, explore your surroundings – the more action the better.
- Be present – stop worrying about the past or the future and enjoy living in the now.
- The science of mental health suggests that altering one's environment can spark dopamine production, a hormone linked to motivation and pleasure, providing a temporary respite from emotional and psychological exhaustion.
- A change of scenery, as proposed by psychologist Elena Gordieva, brings quick benefits in various aspects, acting as a mental reset, helping to diminish background noise and tension, and fostering the emergence of fresh ideas and inspirations.
