Member-only story
Why You Write Better When You Travel
Some of my best writing happens in hotel bars and unfamiliar cafes. When I’m traveling, my brain just seems to click and flow better. But what explains these strange creative bursts? How and why does travel broaden the mind?
Travel can both help you relax and get you out of your comfort zone. These two effects might sound contradictory, but getting out of your comfort zone is a great way to calm your mind by distracting it from your everyday worries. If you psychologically disconnect from your normal responsibilities when you travel, the new experiences and challenges will reset your stress levels— scientists refer to this as a “recovery experience”.
A 2019 survey of 800 Japanese workers found that recovery experiences on vacation boosted both creativity and wellbeing back at work. Taking a break from your daily routines and stresses can help you to realistically process your anxieties with a fresh mind, which ultimately gives you the mental space to be creative.
But it isn’t just about relaxation. Getting out of your comfort zone does much more than relax your mind. Perhaps most importantly, it allows you to directly experience and learn from other cultures. Unfamiliar traditions and viewpoints provide a window into new ways of doing things, which can inspire you with your own creative insights. Blake Mycoskie came up with the…
