Scientists have discovered that travel memories are distinct from others and help shape a person's personality, according to Lonely Planet.
Swiss neuropsychologists have concluded that regardless of the duration of a trip, memories of it are the most Long-lasting and help shape a tourist's identity. According to Lutz Jenke, professor of psychology at the University of Zurich, "travel and the subsequent memories of it contribute to the formation of individuality. We are what we remember, or more precisely, what we remember about ourselves. Such memories are of primary importance in the human experience, and therefore they are the main pillars of our personality," the scientist noted.
The study found that over 40% travelers said they've already had at least one life-changing trip. Another 20% said they picked up a new hobby after their trip. When it comes to travel, nearly 70% travelers take photos to preserve the experience, and nearly 50% say they would never delete these photos under any circumstances.
L. Janke noted that as more and more people use smartphones with constant internet access, they become less aware of what's happening around them and, consequently, perceive it less deeply. This can result in a complete inability to concentrate and remember anything from real life. But in reality, away from the stress of everyday life, people absorb many vivid details, and travel "images" last a lifetime, as they are associated with very positive emotions. The study's results showed that 55.9% tourists remember moments spent with family and friends best from their travels, 53.2% remember food best, and 47.7% remember people they met for the first time.
Source: news.turizm.ru