While international travel may still be challenging amid the coronavirus pandemic, exploring your immediate surroundings could be just as satisfying, according to new research.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience suggests that there is joy to be had in experiencing new places in new ways, even if those locations are just around the corner.
The research team tracked the movements of more than 100 people in New York and Miami over the course of several months, and discovered that subjects who had new and diverse experiences on a daily basis showed increased happiness and other positive emotions.
Notably, these new experiences do not have to be groundbreaking and they don’t need to involve long distances – the key is finding yourself in diverse locations on a regular basis.
“Using geolocation tracking, experience sampling and neuro-imaging, we found that daily variability in physical location was associated with increased positive effect in humans,” the study states.
For those of us whose sphere of movement has shrunk to the odd outing to the local supermarket lately, this may resonate.
Variety, as they say, is the spice of life, even if this means visiting an unexplored part of your neighbourhood, or taking a new route on your evening dog walk.
And even if you can’t get out much, new sights, sounds and experiences can also positively impact your frame of mind, so try picking up a new book or listening to a different genre of music.
Just make sure you always stay safe.
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Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
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Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
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Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
RACE RESULTS
1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Gully Boy
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Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
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The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
