How can I improve my sense of direction?

How to Improve Your Sense of Direction

• Answer:

  A sense of direction is underutilized in many people because of their dependency on technology, such as GPS. Those who develop strong navigation skills often tend to live in rural areas, where people are more cognizant of the sun. According to Arne Ekstrom, an expert on human navigation at the University of California, humans find ways to cheat when it comes to direction. Putting all cheat sheets aside, improving your sense of direction can be accomplished at any age by using a series of techniques, including landmark association, memory, storytelling and practicing correct terminology. Difficulty: Moderate Instructions Be stubborn. Read directions and set out to your destination. Do not stop to ask for directions. If you are confused, take a moment to regroup. Trace back to your starting point and locate where you are presently standing before taking another step forward. If you get lost, repeat the previous step until you find your designated location. Familiarize yourself with directions. Read road and subway maps. Learn where north, south, east and west are in relation to where you are located. Position yourself on different sides of your home and identify the direction of the North Star. Be able to explain four detailed paths starting from your home. Say what you see. Verbally expressing directions will help your memory retain the information better than just observing as you go. For example, whisper to yourself, "T-Mobile on right, Lemon Market on left corner." Point at important landmarks and toward the location where you are headed. People are more likely to remember where they are going if they physically point in the right direction. Tell stories. Visual associations can help kick in your sense of memory. Route your mind by using your imagination as a map key. For example, if you pass a train station, a breakfast cart and a school, link them into a story to remember each respective location. "A high school junior, just off the train, walked straight down Peach Avenue, stopped at the breakfast cart, turned right on Paulding and walked up three blocks to the high school in the middle of the block." Wear a watch. Without a time tracker, you might not remember how long it took it get from Point A to Point B and end up miscalculating distance on your way back. Test yourself on the way. Every 10 minutes, think about all of the landmarks you have seen and the turns you have made on your journey. Once they are vivid in your mind, you may continue to walk and absorb the new surroundings into your memory bank. Tips & Warnings Tip: Get a good night's rest and remain calm. When learning a new route, avoid distractions, such as daydreaming, music and conversations. Trust yourself to find your way.