Broadening Your Horizons: Here’s How You Can Really Expand Your Mind!
As humans, we’re curious creatures and love to learn. And broadening your horizons, expanding our minds and learning new things is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. However it’s often the case that life can get in the way and hold us back- working long hours, care commitments, running a home and other things means we don’t always have the time to indulge in finding out more about the things we find interesting. However, it’s important to make time where possible, you don’t want to look back in ten or twenty years and realize life was like groundhog day. Here are some of the ways you can expand your mind.
Travel
Travel helps you to really see things from a different perspective. You get to experience and see things that you simply never would by staying in one place. You get to talk to people who have had an entirely different upbringing, with different cultures, customs and religions shaping their views. Broadening your horizons and seeing more of the world and the people in it actually helps you to understand yourself better. No longer are you viewing life through a narrow lens, but you get to appreciate everything from a birds eye view. Don’t just be a tourist, really travel and explore places in the world. Visit museums, galleries and religious buildings. Go on tours, visit places that are off the beaten track and mix with the locals.
Take a class
Education is everything, the more you can lean in life, the better. One way you can learn more is in an academic way; you could go back to university, or you could study from home. You can find everything from online msw programs to psychology, mathematics, all kinds of sciences and so much more so there’s something for everyone. However, learning more doesn’t have to be academic. You could go to more casual classes to teach you skills to develop your hobbies– photography, cake decorating, cookery and flower arranging courses are all examples. You could just do your own research and read articles and books, watch videos and listen to podcasts about your chosen topic of interest. With the world at your fingertips, you can research just about any subject you like online these days, just be sure to use sites that are credible.
Meditate
Meditating can help you to improve focus, manage your mood and even boost imagination by practicing visualization and mindfulness techniques. There are plenty of apps, podcasts and videos you can play in the background and listen along to if you’re new to meditation. It’s incredibly good for both mental and even physical health since it can help to lower blood pressure and relive the harmful effects of stress.
Socialize
There’s nothing wrong with spending time alone- some alone time is very healthy and is recommended. However, we need to find the balance and socialize too- getting the perspectives, ideas and views of others can really help to open our mind. People are able to introduce us to new ways of thinking which is a great way to broaden your horizons.
One Comment
Tracy Suzanne DeLoach
It seems society as a whole is socializing less and less. That is to say, socializing in person as opposed to social media. With people working all day, tv, electronics, etc we’re too tired to leave home. All of the ways you’ve posted above are so spot on. Finding balance is hard but it’s important if we don’t want to become burnt out. I could use a trip about now. 🙂