The quote today is the Free Dictionary’s definition of the phrase “one’s way out of a wet paper bag”: A phrase used to emphasize that one is particularly dimwitted, unintelligent, incompetent, or unable to do something basic, simple, or straightforward.
It's me. I can't find my way out of anywhere
I have to say I take exception to the above definition since I get lost quite easily. Perhaps I could, in fact, find my way out of a paper bag, but my ability to find my way in the maze of cities and interstates and county roads is limited. A minor inconvenience, you think? For some, that’s all it ever is. For me, getting lost is frightening to the same degree that most people fear public speaking.
Years ago I was in the Miami area on business and I expected to do a ride-along with a colleague. She had to cancel at the last minute, so I was on my own. This meant I hadn’t printed copies of Mapquest directions and tucked them away in my briefcase. If memory serves, I was fine for the first appointment, but lost my way to the second. There was no GPS then. Well, not on phones, and mine was only a flip phone, anyway. If I hadn’t been able to make a phone call to my husband for assistance, my meltdown would have reached hysterical heights. Or depths.
A more recent experience was last week as I attempted to attend a class in Knoxville, less than 25 miles away. I get turned around every time I go to the UT Conference Center. Every. Time. Finding the Center isn’t a problem, but managing to be headed in the right direction as the one-way street the parking garage is on, well, that’s a challenge. I ended up back on I-40 E, headed to Asheville, but did manage to exit off the interstate, align myself with the garage entry, and get parked before class started. Good thing I built in a 30-minute buffer. I didn’t have a panic attack, but I was sweating. Literally, and I mean that in the literal definition.
I have given a fair amount of thought to food preferences (you may have noticed that’s a common topic in my posts), but the roots of anxiety? Not so much. This is one more way I need to understand how my brain works.
How it's supposed to work
Apparently, I am not the only one whose brain has this hang-up, since WebMD has an article on it. That would indicate that my kind of people number in the thousands, at least. The explanation this site offers is that the hippocampus, the amygdala’s straight-laced cousin, retains memories of where you’ve* been. You can read the description WebMD provides, but my interpretation is that the brain creates an Excel spreadsheet for you.
At any given time it reminds you of this place you’re in–one that you’ve been to before: column B, row 14, and whatever data point that is, maybe a park. That’s a place cell. It also tells you which cells are around you, say B15, A14, and C14. These might be a restaurant, a salon, and a gift shop and come under the heading of grid cells. Clearly, the hippocampus in some skulls is better-developed than those in others. You can improve yours, though, if it isn’t working properly.
*Using 2nd person here, because I don’t think my hippocampus is functional in that respect.
Practice. The same way you’d train to work on a specific muscle, help your brain by exercising where you’re weak. Be aware of landmarks and actively make note of them mentally.Then look to see where it is on a map.
Really exercise. Moving your body increases blood/oxygen flow to your brain. At least one study indicates you can improve spatial memory with physical exercise.
Pay attention to what’s on your fork. Oatmeal is good and any other food that’s high in antioxidants.
Potential glitches
Clearly there are instances where the hippocampus doesn’t work equally well for one person compared to another. For example, my husband is never lost. I can’t help but wonder whether this is related to his competence in geometry and my lack thereof. Yes, my blog on internal wiring dips into innate skills, but not this one. In any case, it isn’t just the hippocampus in play here.
According to the University College London, the brain has a homing signal generated by the entorhinal cortex. That institution figured out a way to measure brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and determined that the signal is stronger in some individuals than others. Anyway, this part of the brain is responsible for orienting you (perhaps not me) to the direction you’re facing and helping you figure out how you’re going to get to your desired destination.
From the UCL article, it appears that questions about cause and effect still exist. They didn’t mention it, but I’m wondering if it’s genetic. Could I possibly blame this particular deficiency on my gene pool and thereby avoid responsibility for this perceived flaw? Rhetorical question, that.
You may know someone who hyperventilates when he/she is overcome by the inability to arrive at a target location within a reasonable period of time. If you do, you must tell them how to fix themselves by practicing and exercising and paying attention.
Wait. That might not be relationship-enhancing. I think it might be best to recognize that some homing signals are superior to others and that they aren’t merit badges. More like lucky accidents. You?
Alas, I was unable to find a video that puts a bandaid on getting lost in the city, but if you like to go for walks in the woods alone, this two minutes is all yours.
Good discussion of what to do if lost.
Maybe it said and I missed it but
Believe it can happen to you.
Never go on a hike without being able to spend the night safely.
Experts say food shelter water but that’s reverse order
You can live a month withou food assuming you are in descent physical condition
You can live about 3 days without water . But as you become dehydrated you make unsound decisions.
Shelter or being able to maintain safe body temperature is next.
If you become hypothermic you may feemmike your skin is on fire and take necessary clothing off making it worse.
So my order;
Water
Shelter
Food
Also don’t be afraid to drink stream water if you run out.
Bacterial issues with your gut tend to take a week or so ghiardia is the least of your worries.
One thing I learned in survival school is that a 4 year old child has a better chance of surviving lost for a few days than the average adult.
When they are thirsty they drink; when tired rest. Adults panic. I emphasize the action of staying put until hep arrives.
That being said always tells someone or leave a note as to your intentions.
Wise words. And I most definitely would panic. For that reason, there isn’t much chance I’ll go off into the woods without someone better suited to finding the way out. Thanks, Walt.