Travel writer Tara McAndrew had a revelation when she accidentally found herself at the edge of a forest in Wellington, N.Z., instead of the intended rental apartment. This incident prompted her to reconsider her heavy reliance on GPS for navigation.
Over the past decade, McAndrew, based in Ontario, has traveled extensively across Europe, Asia, and North America. While she initially uses Waze or Google Maps for directions in unfamiliar cities, on the return journey, she prefers to navigate without technological assistance. She believes in balancing technological convenience with exercising cognitive skills that may diminish with excessive GPS use.
Although statistics show that around two billion users per month utilize Google Maps for navigation, recent research suggests that relying less on GPS can be beneficial for the brain. A study conducted at McGill University and published in Scientific Reports in 2020 revealed that habitual GPS users exhibited poorer spatial memory over time.
Neuroscientist Louisa Dahmani, a co-author of the study, emphasized that reducing reliance on GPS can help prevent spatial-memory loss and cognitive decline. She recommends being more aware of surroundings while using GPS and occasionally navigating without it to exercise spatial memory.
Additionally, Brenda Holder, a Cree traditional knowledge keeper, emphasizes the importance of not panicking when feeling lost in nature. She teaches land-navigation skills through Mahikan Trails in Alberta, emphasizing the use of natural clues like the sun, stars, and mountains for wayfinding.
As technology has its limitations, with instances of GPS signal interference, experts advise a return to traditional navigation methods as a backup. Authorities in Europe are exploring pre-WWII technology like LORAN and celestial navigation to mitigate GPS failures. McAndrew, reflecting on her upbringing using paper maps, now appreciates the balance between technology and traditional navigation methods.
In conclusion, while technology offers convenience, reducing GPS reliance and engaging in traditional navigation methods can benefit brain health and foster a deeper connection with the surrounding environment during travel.