While statistics make an obvious case for the need for solitude, our increased interest in finding more peace could also be rooted in ancient wisdom, too. Katie Silcox, the New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Shakti School for Ayurveda, explains the urge for more stillness through the form of ancient Indian medicine in which she specializes. According to Ayurvedic principles, each human is made up of a combination of three doshas, or archetypes, of which each comprises of two main elements: Kapha, earth and water; Pitta, fire and water; and Vata, air and ether (you can find your main dosha here). She explains this rise in our need to disconnect because humanity has an excess of Vata energy due to almost everything we use to stay virtually connected—the internet, computers, cell phones—as being Vata. The behavioral side effects of excess Vata in an individual include restlessness, anxiety, nervousness, as well as feelings of being ungrounded and an urge to run away.
“The desire to travel, especially to areas one may deem to be more wild, natural, or authentic, is a very reasonable impulse to counterbalance our culture’s lack of true connection,” says Silcox. “While we are hyper-connected through our intellects, our physicality and soul may feel less connected than ever. We can balance this sense of excess Vata by spending time outdoors, cooking our own food, or grounding activities like gardening.”
According to the world’s preeminent travel providers, experiences similar to what Silcox suggests are being increasingly requested. Not only are travelers looking to disconnect from technology, but they’re also increasingly interested in connecting with cultures in a more thoughtful way, especially in isolated locations that provoke a natural sense of solitude.
Given that Jordan’s landscapes and rich cultural heritage offer a haven for both, the country has become a top destination for those searching for a true escape. This holds true for Ayman Abd-AlKareem, the co-founder of Experience Jordan Adventures. “I’ve noticed a surge in inquiries for tailor-made tours that offer off-the-beaten-path activities,” says Abd-AlKareem. “Travelers are looking for unique experiences that allow them to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to find peace of mind in the serenity of nature.”
Similarly, at the four-bedroom luxury homestead Flockhill Lodge in New Zealand, the landscape is so vast, it feels as if you’re consumed by the scale and majesty of its boundlessness. Manager Andrew Cullen views this as one of the lodge’s greatest assets, which shaves his view on connection. When organizing adventures, he lets the rugged wilds of the lodge’s surrounding 36,000 acres in the country’s sparsely populated South Island lead experiences. “While going to a remote destination is typically seen as disconnecting, I view it as you’re actually connecting,” says Cullen. “When the wild nature of your environment dictates what your experience on any given day, you learn how to be patient and let a journey take you to places or realizations you may not have expected.”
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