Did you know that stepping out of your comfort zone—whether through movement or traveling to new places—can do wonders for your brain? Research by Harvard Medical School suggests that when you move your body and engage with new environments, your brain forms fresh connections, improving cognitive abilities like memory, focus, and problem-solving.
February is Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, making it the ideal time to unpack how movement and exploration can be good for you physically and help sharpen your mind. With scenic trails and mindful activities, try out parts of Cape Town you have never tried before, like wine farms, new shopping spots, or undiscovered nature reserves—these are local treasures where movement and discovery become the real deal.
For many, travel and physical activity are hot on their priority list, mostly because they’re (a) simply fun and (b) actual brain boosters. Similarly, exploring new places activates the brain’s learning circuits. “Travel creates opportunities to engage with new ideas, cultures, and experiences,” explains Dr. David A. Merrill, director of the Pacific Brain Health Centre. These moments stimulate the brain and help to further develop adaptability and creativity.
Even brief excursions—like walking a trail, cycling through nature, or trying a new skill—can increase empathy and focus, as these encourage your brain to adapt to novel surroundings and situations.
“Movement creates experiences, experiences fuel growth, and growth leads to transformation,” says Colette de Vries of Pilates for Life. “Travel opens your mind—and since all travel starts with the movement of the body, it becomes the foundation for learning and change.”
At Pilates for Life, visitors can engage in mindful movement practices that improve mental and physical well-being. Complementing this, Paarl Trails offers a network of scenic routes perfect for walking, running, or cycling—all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Paarl Mountain at Spice Route Destination.
“Movement is what links us all,” shares Duan Stander from Paarl Trails. “Our brain is designed to produce adaptable and complex movements; this is how we affect the world around us.”
Here are some scientifically backed ways that movement and exploration make you smarter:
- Improved memory: Experiencing new environments helps form stronger memories compared to everyday routines.
- Enhanced focus and attention: Novel experiences demand mental adaptability, sharpening your cognitive skills.
- Boosted creativity: Exposure to new ideas and perspectives encourages out-of-the-box thinking.
- Social interaction: Meeting new people during travel or group activities reduces the risk of cognitive decline by creating meaningful connections.
Explore these spots in and near Cape Town to help build your brain:
Spice Route Destination:
Spice Route Destination offers the perfect blend of physical activity and outdoor experiences. With 11 diverse attractions, including restaurants, tasting rooms, boutique shops, and activities like Paarl Trails and Pilates for Life, it inspires visitors to move, explore, and grow. Their Passport invites you to wander the premises and enjoy up to five tastings—CBC craft beer, Wilderer gin, Spice Route wine, Beyers chocolate, and Jewell’s charcuterie—all in a day’s adventure.
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Riverlands Mall:
Cape Town’s newest shopper’s paradise, Riverlands Mall, provides the ideal retail therapy hit you need to expand your mind. Anchored by Checkers FreshX and Woolworths, this contemporary 12,000-square-metre hub in Observatory is a vibrant space for dining, shopping, and everyday essentials. Easy to find just off the N2, it’s futuristic architectural design, smart use of space and clean outline are enough to boast about to those who have yet to visit this spot.
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Chapman’s Peak walking trail:
If the shopping scene is not for you, especially if you are still recovering from “Januworry,” then opt for one of Cape Town’s scenic trails. Chapman’s Peak trail calls for a serious appetite for the mental boost that comes with its breathtaking views. The hike is a moderate 2-3 hour trail, depending on your pace. The steep start is softened by vibrant proteas and fynbos, while stunning vistas of Hout Bay, Noordhoek Beach, and even Gordon’s Bay on clear days reward your efforts.
Travel doesn’t have to involve crossing continents to transform your mind and body. Make the move to discover something new in your immediate location.
