When was the last time you did something for the first time? – We need new experiences more and more

Do you remember the last time you did something for the first time? A new place, a spontaneous program, an unusual experience – these are the moments that take you out of everyday life and leave a real mark on us. However, everyday life often turns into a routine without you noticing: the same trips, the same programs, the same conversations. After a while, not only the days become the same, but also our experiences.

Mental exhaustion is affecting more and more people

According to an international study*, only every second Hungarian now considers their mental health to be good or very good, while in Europe this rate is nearly two-thirds. The study also highlights that Hungarians are less active in activities that support their mental well-being, even though even small changes can help.

Our brains need novelty

According to science, novelty plays a key role in how we feel in everyday life. According to research, new experiences activate the brain’s dopamine system, which is responsible for motivation, learning, and maintaining well-being.

The effect of monotony also affects our perception of time: when we are exposed to few new stimuli, the days pass quickly, but in retrospect they seem shorter and less eventful. New experiences, on the other hand, expand our memories and help us truly experience the moment.

One new experience is enough

According to experts, this does not necessarily require radical changes. Often, a small decision is enough: trying something new, looking at a familiar situation with different eyes, or consciously seeking out situations that take you out of your usual routine.

The need for these types of experiences is also increasingly evident in leisure trends. Immersive, multi-sensory programs – like IKONO – are specifically designed to take visitors out of their everyday lives. In the Budapest space, visitors are not just spectators, but active participants in the experience, where they receive new impulses and can connect to the present and each other in a different way.

“Everyday life can easily become automatic, which is why it is important to consciously seek out new experiences from time to time. Sometimes even a single first time is enough to take us out of our routine and gain a new perspective”

– says Fernando Pastor, one of the founders of IKONO.

Spring is a time of renewal, not only in nature, but also within us. Maybe now is the time to ask ourselves: when was the last time we did something for the first time?

* STADA Health Report 2024