Tara McAndrew had a realization when she unexpectedly found herself near a forest in Wellington, N.Z., rather than at the rental apartment she intended to view. She decided to reduce her dependence on GPS for navigation. Over the past ten years, the travel writer from Ontario has traveled extensively across Europe, Asia, and North America. Now, when she arrives in an unfamiliar city, she relies on Waze or Google Maps for directions while driving or walking to her destination. However, on the return journey, she chooses to navigate without technological assistance.
McAndrew shared, “That’s my way of balancing the use of technology with exercising my cognitive skills that I’ve noticed have declined due to GPS reliance. Technology has its place, but especially in travel, I prefer interacting with people, getting lost, and learning from mistakes.”
Statistics indicate that approximately two billion users utilize Google Maps for navigation every month, with hundreds of millions also using Apple Maps or Waze. Research shows that wandering off the beaten path can be beneficial for brain health. A study conducted at McGill University and published in Scientific Reports in 2020 found that individuals who heavily rely on GPS for directions tend to have poorer spatial memory over time. The study emphasized that the hippocampus, responsible for spatial memory, can atrophy if not regularly exercised through navigation challenges.
Neuroscientist Louisa Dahmani, a co-author of the study, now teaching at Harvard University, highlighted the importance of engaging one’s spatial memory while driving or walking, even when using GPS. Dahmani recommended emulating McAndrew’s approach by occasionally navigating without technological aid to prevent cognitive decline.
In a similar vein, Brenda Holder, a Cree traditional knowledge keeper of plant medicine, emphasized the importance of staying calm when feeling lost in nature. Holder, through Mahikan Trails, has taught individuals how to navigate the land using natural clues like the position of celestial bodies and geographical features. She advised utilizing multiple navigational cues for enhanced certainty and cautioned against solely relying on technology for wayfinding.
Reflecting on the potential shortcomings of technology, McAndrew acknowledged the limitations of GPS tools and the increasing sophistication of signal jamming. She noted a resurgence in teaching celestial navigation at naval academies and the adoption of older technologies as backups to mitigate GPS failures.
McAndrew’s childhood experiences with traditional maps and directions have instilled confidence in her ability to navigate without solely relying on GPS during her travels. She expressed gratitude for her foundational map-reading skills and the sense of fulfillment that comes with reducing dependence on modern navigation tools.
Overall, the balance between digital aids and traditional navigation methods appears crucial for maintaining cognitive health and fostering a deeper connection with the environment.
