A stands for Anticipation, Awe and wonder. And after just one day in Sri Lanka, I’m already in awe of the incredible lush green tea plantations, the warmth, friendliness and hospitality of the people, and the joy that everyone exudes. Sri Lankan people have really shown me that the greatest gift we can give to another person is our own happiness, our zest, our love of of life. That’s what all the tea plantation workers and their children radiate. And towards the end of the day, when I was starting to feel the impact of 27km of non-stop climbing and descending steep mountain slopes and deep valleys, those smiles and enthusiastic greetings really kept me going.
And how exactly do anticipation, awe and wonder boost our brain?
The excitement and joy of anticipating something we’re looking forward to gives our brain a shot of feel good chemicals (neurotransmitters) that improve our brain function. Meanwhile, the sensation of awe generates oxytocin and serotonin, while lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, all of which sharpen our brain and make us feel more connected to others.
So seek out experiences that take your breath away.
Continue to set meaningful goals.
Give your brain a reason to stay sharp and it will!
And trekking the Pekoe Trail is inherently awe-inspiring. The sudden emergence of a dense pine forest with its towering trees. The stunning views of the Hantana mountain range. The incredibly beautiful delicate flowers. It all took my breath away — as did some of the steep climbs!
And in a remote part of the Hantana tea estate, we stumbled into an area where parts of the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom were shot. So I certainly had my fill of awe today.
Before the end of your day, find something that gives you a sense of awe and wonder. Pause to look at a flower, a leaf, a sunset, the stars, the moon — and just look — and listen — and smell.
Allow yourself some stillness and take in the minute details — or the vastness of it all. Your brain will be so much healthier for it.
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This is a photo from Stage 1 (of 22 stages) of the 300+km Pekoe Trail.
For more photos of my time in Sri Lanka, click here.
If you’d like to trek the Pekoe Trail yourself, please contact Deen at srilankatrekkingclub.com
I highly recommend you do it in the recommended 22 days, not the high speed 14 days that I did it in! You can also choose to only do one or a few of the stages to get a taste of Sri Lanka’s glorious tea country. Happy hiking – it’s a fabulous brain-boosting activity!
Please share this with anyone who has an interest in brain health or a diagnosis of dementia.
Wide-eyed wonder evokes the excitement of children – but it fades with “adulthood”.
I believe it’s that spirit that keeps us young, no matter what calendar age we are!
I couldn’t agree with you more!