Every second we’re alive, we’re moving through time. How people perceive the “flow of time” is from the past to the present to the future, moving in one direction like an arrow. Scientists from the CUNY Graduate Center Initiative for the Theoretical Sciences say this phenomenon arises from microscopic interactions among particles and cells, but how this actually takes place is still unclear. Now, a new study is helping to unravel this mystery and explain our perception of time.
Researchers note that the “arrow of time” is a concept from the second law of thermodynamics. The principle states that microscopic arrangements of physical systems move from order to disorder, increasing in randomness over time.
As the disorder increases, it becomes more and more difficult for the system to return to an ordered state — making the arrow of time even stronger. Simply put, the universe’s natural tendency to move towards a chaotic state is the fundamental reason humans perceive time to be flowing in one constant direction.
“The two questions our team had were, if we looked at a particular system, would we be able to quantify the strength of its arrow of time, and would we be able to sort out how it emerges from the micro scale, where cells and neurons interact, to the whole system?” explains first author Christopher Lynn, a postdoctoral fellow with the ITS program, in a media release. “Our findings provide the first step toward understanding how the arrow of time that we experience in daily life emerges from these more microscopic details.”
Neurons in your eye help explain our perception of time
The researchers studied time’s arrow by observing specific parts of a single system and the microscopic interactions taking place within it. Specifically, the team examined the neurons that function within the retina of an eye. While deconstructing a single moment in time, the study authors found that they could break down the arrow of time into different pieces — those produced by parts working individually, in pairs, in triplets, or in more complex configurations.
After breaking down the arrow, researchers analyzed existing experiments on how neurons in a salamander’s retina respond to different videos. In one video, a single object moved in random directions across the screen. In the other, the salamander watched a complex nature scene.
While viewing both movies, the study found that the arrow of time emerged from the simple interactions between pairs of neurons — not larger and more complicated groups. Interestingly, the retina displayed a stronger arrow of time while watching the more complex nature scene, instead of just a single object moving around.
Lynn believes this raises questions about how our internal perception of time aligns with the real world.
“These results may be of particular interest to neuroscience researchers,” Lynn concludes. “They could, for example, lead to answers about whether the arrow of time functions differently in brains that are neuroatypical.”
Risk factors for motion sickness include being a child, taking certain medications, sinus congestion, sinus infection, ear infection, recent concussion, migraines, pregnancy, and being female.
Motion sickness results from an imbalance between what you see and what you feel. For example, a car moves forward while your body remains still. This imbalance causes the symptoms of motion sickness.
Some people get motion sickness more easily than others. Factors that can predispose you to motion sickness include:
The intricately decorated silver object was likely created by a highly skilled craftsperson in England
The object was found by metal detectorists in Norfolk, England.
Metal detectorists have unearthed a tiny trinket covered in beautiful, intricate designs in Norfolk, England. The 1,200-year-old gilded silver artifact was likely created by skilled workers, but its purpose remains a mystery.
The strange object is about three-quarters of an inch in diameter. Found near the village of Langham, it resembles a small, crumpled cap. It’s adorned with tactile patterns and the image of an animal resembling a horse.
The artifact captivated historian Helen Geake, Norfolk’s finds liaison officer, reports BBC News’ Katy Prickett.
The object has cylindrical sides and a cicular top adorned with an animal.
“It’s so tiny, and yet it was created just as carefully as something like a Bible or piece of jewelry,” says Geake, who has also appeared as an expert on the archaeology television show “Time Team.”
Based on the object’s complicated design, Geake infers that its craftsperson was “multi-talented and doing lots of different things.” The creator likely mixed imported Spanish mercury with powdered gold to create a gilding liquid, not unlike the paints used in illuminated manuscripts—handwritten books adorned with metallics and colorful drawings—made around the same time.
Geake recognizes the spiral pattern on the object’s sides from two illuminated manuscripts, both containing the four gospels of the New Testament: the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the 1,300-year-old Lindisfarne Gospel.
The newly discovered artifact dates to the late eighth or early ninth century. Its dominant motif, the animal carved and delicately painted on its top, could be a horse with its head turned backward, says Geake. Outlined by gold, the horse is dark brown, with dark swirling lines drawn through its body. Its face is shown in profile, with one eye visible.
The object reminds historian Helen Geake of other designs from the period. Andrew Williams / Norfolk County Council
“I love its color,” she tells BBC News. “A lot of the time, we don’t see the colors of the past because clothes don’t survive and enamels drop out of settings.”
The expensive materials and highly detailed artisanship suggest the object was treasured, perhaps serving a meaningful personal or religious purpose, writes the Telegraph’s Craig Simpson. One possibility, Geake suggests, is that it was once a decorative cap on the end of a staff.
The artifact was found crushed on one side, with a resulting crack in its wall. Jason Gibbons / Norfolk County Council
Archaeological discoveries are “consistently churned up from the Norfolk soil,” according to the Telegraph. In 2022, the county reported the most treasure finds of any area in the United Kingdom.
Though many curious objects have been discovered in Norfolk, Geake says the gilded cap is “completely unlike” any other find. BBC News reports that it has been declared a treasure, and the local Norwich Castle Museum expressed interest in acquiring it, despite its unknown purpose.
“It’s a mysterious object, and you can’t say what kind of thing it’s off at all,” Geake adds. “But it was made by someone with a real eye for loveliness.”
Diseases associated with chronic inflammation constitute a major health burden across the world. As central instigators of the inflammatory response to infection and tissue damage, inflammasomes — and the NACHT, LRR and PYD domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in particular — have emerged as key regulators in diverse rheumatic, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Similarly to other inflammasome sensors, NLRP3 assembles a cytosolic innate immune complex that activates the cysteine protease caspase-1, which in turn cleaves gasdermin D (GSDMD) to induce pyroptosis, a regulated mode of lytic cell death. Pyroptosis is highly inflammatory, partly because of the concomitant extracellular release of the inflammasome-dependent cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 along with a myriad of additional danger signals and intracellular antigens. Here, we discuss how NLRP3 and downstream inflammasome effectors such as GSDMD, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and nerve injury-induced protein 1 (NINJ1) have gained significant traction as therapeutic targets. We highlight the recent progress in developing small-molecule and biologic inhibitors that are advancing into the clinic and serving to harness the broad therapeutic potential of modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome.
“You might see a one-pilot aircraft,” said Emirates airline president Tim Clark, sparking debates around developing AI technology.
With the expanding abilities of artificial technology (AI), aeroplanes may now seemingly move from autopilot mode to AI pilot mode. From two trained pilots present inside the cockpit, the situation may change to no pilots at all, with AI pilots flying the aeroplanes more smoothly and safely.
At least that’s how Emirates airline president Tim Clark feels. In his latest interview, Clark said that passenger planes may have AI co-pilots in the near future. He emphasised the possibility of a single-pilot aircraft further indicating that the technology of fully automated flights is already advancing.
“You might see a one-pilot aircraft. Could the aircraft be flown on a fully automated basis? Yes it could, technology is right up there now. [But passengers] like to think there are two pilots up there. There will always be somebody on the flight deck in my view,” Clark stated.
His comments raged the debate over how fast and to what extent should AI technology be developed.
However, the Emirates airline president later emphasised the skills of the trained pilots.
“Pilots are not merely plane drivers; they are highly skilled professionals who play a crucial role in a comprehensive safety system that ensures the safe arrival of passengers, crew, and cargo at their destinations,” Clark said.
“Pilots have diverse responsibilities beyond flying the aircraft. They act as navigators, engineers, technicians, weather experts, and customer service managers. On a typical day, pilots interact with various individuals, including aircrew, ground crew, cabin crew, air traffic control, and passengers. Effective communication is essential for pilots, both in aviation-specific terms (e.g., using radio communication with air traffic control) and on an interpersonal level,” he added.
WATCH | AI to wipe out two third of the jobs | WION Dispatch
“For a start, pilots fly with so many different crews that they must be able to establish a rapport with other flight and cabin crew easily. They must be able to exchange information clearly with people they have never met before. A pilot also must communicate information to passengers. As well as being responsible for their passengers, a captain has the ultimate responsibility for all the crew on board. Understanding their needs, flight time limitations, rest requirements, industrial agreements and supporting them in their dealings with passengers is a vital part of the job,” Clark stated.
Going back to the idea of completely pilotless planes, he stated, “Could the aircraft be flown on a fully automated basis? Yes it could, technology is right up there now, [but] there’ll always be somebody on the flight deck in my view.”
Small ways to stay grounded when you’re up in the air.
I woke up in four different countries during the month of August. I started in the U.S.—California to visit my family, then back home to New York after that—followed by a trip to England, then India, and then Costa Rica. By the time I reached Central America for that last trip, I was both exhausted and exhilarated.
“How can I get your life?” people often ask me.
“It seems like every time I see you on Instagram, you’re in a new country!” others say.
“Seriously, are you ever home??” people write underneath my photos.
“Dude, you are living the dream.”
As a freelance travel and wellness writer, I’m no stranger to these sorts of comments. I dotravel a lot for work—about twice a month, I’d say—and I also understand the allure of the peripatetic lifestyle that prompts people to inquire about it in the first place. And of course I feel fortunate that I’m able to make a living traveling the world, staying in amazing hotels, and doing something exciting and awe inspiring that I truly love.
But even though I know I’m lucky to have such a lifestyle, it’s also true that traveling so much is not always easy. Most people know that frequent travel can take a toll on your physical health (what up, stale airplane air and boozy business dinners), but it can mess with your mental health, too. I have a friend who used to travel so much for work, she would often wake up in a dark hotel room and have to retrace her steps from the night before to remind herself what city she was even in—which, not surprisingly, started to throw her for a loop big time. While I’ve personally never had that extreme of an experience, I’ve definitely had moments of feeling unstable and a little shaky, like I was moving so quickly that I didn’t even have time to realize I was moving at all.
Fortunately, there are ways to sidestep the shakiness when your job requires loads of travel. I’ve developed quite a few good tactics myself over the years, which I’ve included below, but I also asked other frequent fliers in various professions for their advice on how to stay healthy while traveling, too. Consider this your ultimate guide to staying grounded, even when you spend a lot of your life up in the air.
1. Write in your journal as often as you can.
“In a life that moves so fast, it’s important that I keep track of what I’m experiencing and stay aware of how I’m feeling—which is why I keep a personal journal that allows me to gain insight, process my emotions, and establish goals. Journaling also helps me reduce any stress and or anxiety that may come with a life that is often seen from the outside as being unstable. To make sure I never let my writing habit slip, I carry my journal with me everywhere, along with a good pen, so that I can write in coffee shops, airplanes, or anywhere else.” —Ciara Johnson, 25, travel blogger who travels twice a month
2. Engage the local community to create a sense of connection and routine.
“Have a conversation with the local barista, a shop owner or a waiter. I find myself feeling more grounded in these borrowed moments of human connection.” —Erik Oberholtzer, 49, Tender Greens restaurant co-founder who lives between LA and NYC and travels frequently between both places
“Oftentimes for work, you are provided unhealthy food, especially if you’re traveling for a conference or meetings. That’s why I try to get out of schedules that are set for me and sneak in some time to connect with the location I’m in—and I’ve found that the easiest way to do this is through local food.” —Linden Schaffer, 40, founder of the wellness travel company Pravassa, who travels often overseas for up to three months at a time
3. Remind yourself how fortunate you are to be able to travel at all.
“Having a sense of gratitude often helps me out of the ‘travel is a burden’ self-talk that can cause the inevitable micro-struggles of travel to appear more dramatic. Choose to celebrate the challenge of travel instead.” —Erik Oberholtzer
4. Develop an email system that works for you.
“I like to get at least three emails drafted each night and ready to send first thing in the morning. It makes me feel like I accomplished something and was productive even before getting out of bed, which is helpful when you’re traveling and you don’t have much control over timing.” —Elyse Eisen, 33, freelance publicist, travels two to three times per month, often internationally and across time zones
5. Embrace the joy of just…walking.
“I’m a Fitbit fanatic, and I try to get 12K steps every single day, no matter what I’m doing or where I am. When I’m at home, this goal often means I will take a night walk to the park near my apartment to ‘finish my steps,’ a term I both love using and also make fun of myself for using. And when I’m traveling, hitting this goal is a little easier, since I always make a point to explore the new city I’m in on foot. But while this Fitbit goal is certainly a good way to keep up my physical health no matter where I am, I’m actually more in it for the mental health benefit. It is oddly satisfying and soothing to look at my Fitbit chart and see that I am able to maintain consistency no matter where I am in the world. It makes me feel less nervous about not being home all the time when I see that I end up doing roughly the same thing no matter where I am.” —Annie Daly, 33, freelance writer who’s on the road about two times per month (and the author of this post!)
“I try to go on lots of long walks to clear my head, whether I’m listening to a podcast or trying to institute some silence/non-noise in my day. When I’m at home, I walk my dog a few times a day, which is really good for my mental health: It helps me get away from my computer screen and reset if I’m having a tough day or dealing with lots of deadlines. When I’m traveling, I remind myself to go on walks even when I don’t have a dog to force me to!” —Christine Amorose Merrill, 30, account executive who travels domestically for work weekly and internationally for fun a few times a year
6. Develop a consistent bedtime routine that works both at home and on the road.
“I try to drink chamomile tea every night before bed, whether at home or away. And I also try to be strict with myself and ban phone time while I’m drinking the tea. The combo of the routine, the lack of screen time before bed, and the tea itself really calms me and helps me unwind. If I’m being particularly on point, I’ll read fiction on my Kindle while drinking the tea—it helps me gain perspective and get out of my head.” —Bex Shapiro, 25, managing editor of Intrepid Travel, travels once a month for work and play
“I’m very dedicated to my sleep routine when I’m at home and when I travel; sleeping well can make such a huge difference in my mood and energy levels. So no matter how light I’m traveling, I always pack a super soft and luxurious eye mask. I also listen to either the same classical CD that I’ve listened to to fall asleep since I was a kid (my mom played it at my nap times!) or the Sleep With Me podcast, which is a newer discovery but can be helpful for me when I’m in strange environments.” —Christine Amorose Merrill
“I’ve been doing more or less the same thing every morning for about five years, no matter where I am in the world. First, I do a little stretching, and then I write in my dream journal (sounds cheesy, I know). I tend to write about my mental and physical state as well, which then acts like a log that I can go back to and read later. Then, I meditate for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on my schedule. If I’m feeling really out of it and wonky, I do breathing practices to quiet my mind (which is where I tend to live, especially when tired).
In doing this routine, I know that no matter where I am or how mentally or physically tired I feel, I can find a way to return to myself and know that I’m still me, just in a totally different place—and there’s a strength in knowing that. It helps that when I’m home, I still do it, so there’s always that sense of continuity in my life, which I think is what makes it so stabilizing. Having a routine is especially important in the face of constant change—something I think everyone experiences on different scales, whether they travel frequently or not.” —Yasmin Fahr, 35, founder of the membership club Loka Pack, travels about one to two times per month
7. Pack as lightly as possible.
“This sounds like a practical tip but, for me, it’s about feeling free. If I have a lot of stuff/ a suitcase with wheels, I find travel far more of a stressful faff. But the second I have a carry-on that’s light and easy to carry, I feel far less worried about travel logistics. I’m currently away for two weeks and have a small rucksack that makes me very happy!” —Bex Shapiro
“I have go-to travel outfits that I bring with me no matter where I go. I always wear the same thing on the plane, for example: black leggings, this stretchy black tank top that I’ve had for years, and a deep purple hoodie from Lululemon that has really good pockets. And then I have my go-to “night out” dress, which is blue and doesn’t wrinkle, and my yellow travel scarf, which I use as both a blanket on the plane and an accessory to dress up basically any outfit (pro tip: a yellow scarf matches anything). And even though that sounds like a plain old packing tip, it’s more than that because it’s about not having to think about packing. Thinking about packing can stress me out for days if I let it, so having a travel uniform eliminates the need to waste my precious mental energy on my wardrobe.” —Annie Daly
8. And once you arrive at your destination, unpack immediately.
“No matter how short my stay in my destination or hotel, I always fully unpack my suitcase and put away my clothes right away.” —Linden Schaffer
9. Bring little remnants of home with you when you travel.
“I always decant a bit of my favorite shower gel (LUSH’s Lord of Misrule) and bring it along just in case I luck into a good spot for a bubble bath. Its patchouli-peppercorn-vanilla smell and deep green color creates a little cauldron of home when I’m on the road.
“I also keep a plastic animal or two in my purse. Being the millionth person to take a photo of a vista or monument doesn’t feel very special, but snapping one along with, say, the little fennec fox my nephew gave me a few years ago is the best. He’ll often send me a photo back, with his matching fox perched wherever I am on his globe. Those little ‘hey, I’m thinking of you’ shout-outs are an ongoing mental connection that collapses physical distance, and a reminder that I control my emotional geography; if I love my people and they love me back, we’re close no matter where I am.”—Lauren Oster, 40, freelance writer, travels once a month, frequently overseas
10. Or seek out the same souvenir wherever you are in the world.
“Whenever I travel, I make a beeline for the nearest bookstore and ask if they have a copy of George Orwell’s 1984. I have 15 at the moment, in languages and editions from all over the world. It’s an odd title to collect, perhaps, but it always starts a conversation, and I love meeting the people (and shop cats) keeping print alive. Plus, I love how that glorious smell of a well-loved bookstore is the same around the world, as are many of the things we worry about and hold dear. And sharing a literary cultural touchstone is lethal to loneliness. ” —Lauren Oster
11. Make a point to catch the sunrise or the sunset on the first few days of your trip.
“Not only does this help reset my circadian rhythm—not sleeping is one of the fastest way to ruin your mental health!—but it shows me the beauty of the place I’m visiting.” —Linden Schaffer
12. Stay in touch with your community as much as you can.
“It can be easy to isolate yourself when you’re constantly traveling for work, but I make an effort to put my relationships first. I’ll call friends whenever I need advice, and I go out of my way to build meaningful relationships in the places I visit, too. Knowing that I have bonds both at home and abroad brings me a lot of relief, especially in moments where I feel alone.” —Ciara Johnson
“I FaceTime with my loved ones as often as I can when I’m on the road. We often underestimate the role that community plays in our mental health, so connecting face-to-face whenever possible is a key way for me to keep loneliness at bay.” —Linden Schaffer
13. Use your time on the plane to take care of yourself.
“Before I even get to my destination, I check in with myself on the plane. How? I carry a ‘stuff’ bag (the bag literally says ‘stuff’ on it), which contains spa-like items to sooth me on my journey. It includes eucalyptus oil, which I’ll rub into my hands and then breathe deeply, cupping my hands over my face; tiger balm to relax my muscles; lip balm; hand lotion; and yes, even some crystals. Plus, most people around me tend to love the smells, because who doesn’t love feeling like they’re in a spa?” —Jessica Wade Pfeffer, 34, president of JWI Public Relations, who travels about once a month
14. Actually do something with your photos when you get home.
“One of the things that is both the best and the worst about the iPhone camera is that there is so much storage, you can let your photos just sit in there and not really think about them except for when you are at a bar and want to show someone a photo from that trip you took two years ago. I know a lot of people do that, but I find that making the time to load my photos onto my computer and edit them there—even if they’re just from a business trip!—helps me process the whole experience on a deeper level once I return. Taking time to go through your photos is a great visual reminder to think about your past experiences and intentionally remember what you learned from each trip, rather than letting those lessons just slide into your memory and hope that they make their way to the surface at some point.” —Annie Daly
15. Try, as much as you can, to actually live in the moment.
“The one thing that’s helped me stay sane when I travel so much is to just be where I am. I try to submerge myself in the experience completely, and try to not think about what’s going on anywhere other than where I happen to be. To make this happen, I try to be as organized with my time as possible when I’m at home, so that I don’t have any loose ends floating around out there when I’m on the road. And I have a daughter, so staying connected to her is key, as well, and the only way I can do this. A daily phone call or a few texts will do it.” —Maria Luisa, 41, interior designer at Pegasus Hotels, who travels every other week between San Francisco and New York, and internationally every 10 weeks
16. And in the end, instead of thinking of travel as an escape from your routine, try thinking of it as a time to create a new routine.
“As the PR director for the digital nomad brand Selina, I am on the road more than I am at home. And that’s why I think it’s best to create a routine when you’re traveling rather than trying to recreate the one you have at home. For me, my on-the-road routine involves making a point to meet new people, trying to work in as many remote locations as I can, and taking the time to walk around and explore each new city I’m in. I still get tired and long for home, of course, but doing these things really helps a lot.” —Maca Capocci, 28, PR director for Selina, who travels twice a month
Let’s be honest, travel doesn’t always live up to our romantic expectations. Long days, unfamiliar food, too much sun, and time changes can leave our body dehydrated, our digestion totally out of whack, and our skin as dry as a desert.
So what can we do if we love to travel but also want to prioritize our health? It’s all about planning ahead and taking proactive steps to fight off those unpleasant symptoms that threaten to sabotage our globe-trotting. Here are four ways to up your self-care and protect your body for your next trip:
1. Stay hydrated.
Dehydration is SUPER common when we’re traveling by air, land, or sea. And many people don’t know that the air on planes is actually super dry (only 5 to 12 percent humidity). As tempting as it might be, this is NOT the time to turn to sugary drinks or juices. Luckily, there’s one thing you can add to your wellness regimen that will kick your hydration into gear: Liquid I.V. is a new breakthrough hydration powder that utilizes the science of Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) to deliver water and other key nutrients directly to your bloodstream for optimal hydration.
2. Sooth dry skin.
Travel can do a number on your skin. You’re likely to be spending more time in the sun, but a lot of the damage to your skin has to do with dehydration, which can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, and flaking (No, thank you!). And while you can stock up on all the topical creams and oils you want, the best way to hydrate the skin is from the inside out. Mixing one Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier packet into a glass of water provides the same hydration to your body as drinking two to three bottles of plain water! This will help protect your precious skin cells so you come back from your vacation feeling younger than when you left.
3. Be proactive about digestion issues.
It’s super common for things to get a little sluggish when you’re not in your normal environment, exposed to the many stressors that come with travel and left with little to no time to keep up with your normal exercise routine. Staying hydrated will keep things moving and regular and give the body the hydration it needs to adapt to long days or hours on a plane.
4. Fight fatigue.
Above all else, travel can make us REALLY tired and jet lagged. Liquid I.V. has five essential vitamins—like B and C vitamins, potassium, and mineral salt—that will give your body and immune system a little extra boost. The best part? They come in convenient travel-size packets that you can throw in your suitcase or purse without another thought. Now the only question left is: What country are we exploring next?
One hurdle many people face is how to keep their insulin cool while out doing what they do, whether it be hiking up a mountain, relaxing on the beach, or any other time you may not be keeping your insulin on your kitchen counter. For those on multiple daily injections (MDI), keeping your insulin pens with you is essential, but how do you keep them from getting too warm — especially in the summer?
Medactiv has a solution. Their travel bags have a special cooling pack on the inside that, when soaked in water, swells and keeps your insulin cool (not too cold like ice packs would).
The packs work by holding on to the cool water and through the process of evaporation, cool the inside of the pouch. After soaking the special blue pack in cold water for 2 minutes, simply wipe excess water off (I did squeeze mine a bit to get a lot of the water out as well, but it still maintained it’s swollen appearance and cooling abilities), and place it in your travel bag along with your insulin pens.
I received my sample bags (the Classic and the Single) just before my annual trip to the beach. I really wanted to put the packs to the test. So, as we were packing, I soaked my cool pack inserts and packed them away in my suitcase. For most of the trip, I used the small, single-pen pack to keep my fast-acting insulin with me on the beach. I did not keep my pack in the sunlight, but rather packed in amongst other beach essentials in my beach bag (towels, wipes, etc) which stays under a shaded tent. I just knew in the 90-degree heat that it wouldn’t last, but surprisingly, it worked very well for the 2 hours we would spend on the beach. For 2 days, I was able to keep my insulin pen cool in the pack.
The larger pack can hold 3 insulin pens, but is also large enough to accommodate an insulin pump as well if you are one to take it off while on the beach or for whatever other event you may be at.
There’s only one drawback to these cases, which seemed to be sort of a pain by the end of the trip. While the larger one may more easily accommodate possibly a travel bag (snack-bag) with insulin pen needles, the small, single case did not have a spot for them. So one either just be free-floating in the case or you would have to keep the case in with another case that would have your other essentials (pen needles, alcohol wipes, etc).
The cases do their job of keeping your medication at room temperature at least, but they aren’t diabetes supply cases, so keep that in mind if you choose to order one.
It found that most people opted to travel without family members, partners or friends because they enjoyed the ‘me time’, as well as not having to compete with what other people want to do and easier planning all round.
However, lead researcher Professor Constanza Bianchi of Queensland University of Technology’s Business School said the team found that the reasons for taking a solo vacay ran much deeper than that.
Travelling alone for holidays also provided some participants with the feeling that they had more control over their lives and actions… Solo travelling also offered some participants the possibility of reflection and self-discovery.
“The time will pass anyway, you can either spend it creating the life you want or spend it living the life you don’t want. The choice is yours.” ~ Unknown
I used to be the queen of indecisiveness. I blamed it on my Virgosun sign. But, really, my inability to make decisions came from believing I didn’t really know what I wanted. Eventually though, I realized most of it boiled down to fear and I came up with these 5 important questions to help make every situation, and what I wanted in it, crystal clear.
These questions work for just about every type of decision we have to make, so start askin’ away and you might just be surprised to find out what you really want.
1. If no one else had any opinion about this, how would I feel?
It’s so easy to let what other people think cloud our own clarity. We often value other’s opinions over our own; and sometimes prefer to listen to others so we’re “off the hook” if it doesn’t work out perfectly. By filtering out other people’s opinions (or even smarter, not asking them in the first place), the voice that speaks to us most loudly about what we should do, will always be our own.
2. Is the fear of failure, or of success, standing in my way?
If failures were obsolete, we’d all be more aligned with our hearts. The fear of failure and humiliation are very real and very present during decision-making. Equally as important to pay attention to though, is the fear of success. When we succeed, our lives can change drastically too and sometimes, that’s just as scary. Gently looking at our fears is a great way to determine if our indecisiveness is because we’re scared to excel, or scared to fail.
3. If nobody’s feelings could get hurt, what would I do?
I have always had a major heavy heart about hurting other people’s feelings. This, I know, has steered me far from choosing what’s best for me, many times. Asking this question can be one of the most powerful. When we remove our fear of hurting others from the equation, we can usually quickly see what we truly want for ourselves.
4. If I wasn’t trying to be “practical,” what would I decide?
Feeling like we need to be “practical” and “reasonable” is often a limiting belief. Of course we do need to worry about some realities of life; but most times our limits are just created by rules we’ve been playing by our whole lives. And we never stop to think it might be good to change them. It’s ok to stretch our desires into the “fun” and “exciting” instead of the practical, extend beyond the safe boundaries of where we’ve been living, and know we can dream bigger for ourselves than we’ve been allowing ourselves to.
5. Will I survive even if it doesn’t work out?
Decisions are tough, but even when we believe we made the “wrong” one, we usually survive them anyway. One of the best ways to eliminate fear about figuring out and going after what we really want, is reminding ourselves that we’ll survive, even if things don’t turn our perfectly. Perspective is everything.
Now that you know what you really want, are you brave enough to choose it?
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Medactiv has a solution. Their travel bags have a special cooling pack on the inside that, when soaked in water, swells and keeps your insulin cool (not too cold like ice packs would).
For most of the trip, I used the small, single-pen pack to keep my fast-acting insulin with me on the beach. I did not keep my pack in the sunlight, but rather packed in amongst other beach essentials in my beach bag (towels, wipes, etc) which stays under a shaded tent. I just knew in the 90-degree heat that it wouldn’t last, but surprisingly, it worked very well for the 2 hours we would spend on the beach. For 2 days, I was able to keep my insulin pen cool in the pack.
ARYAN'S BLOG 