This week’s instalment wings it way to you from Jolly Old England … on a high-speed train to Bonnie Ole Scotland to be precise.

It’s a long story as to how and why, but as they say, “Change is as good as a rest”.

Hmm … A rest is a pretty wonderful thing when you need one. But admittedly, a change of scenery and pace can be highly invigorating, refreshing and is hugely effective for offering renewed creativity and a different perspective.

I am no physicist but I am an observer of the ‘relativity’ of time. It expands and contracts depending on how we use it.

Routine, I find, while often efficient, tends to speed time up. Life slips along in its well-worn grooves. Change and challenge slow it down.

When I become aware that life is passing by too quickly (sometimes as fast as this view from my railcar window), I like to adopt one of two remedies:

Option 1: Sign up for a class or course of some kind. Putting myself in a learning environment that engages my brain in a different way forces it to slow down in order to process the new information.

Or take a trip to a new place, preferably somewhere they speak a different language (Scotland almost counts).

For there, during the first few days at least, time can no longer slip by on automatic pilot. Suddenly even the most basic daily activities require our full attention: orienting ourselves, navigating our way around and enquiring after the simplest of things.

“Where’s the loo/WC/lavatory/the wee bog…?” And this is just English.

But beyond just making life feel slower (therefore hopefully longer), “getting away” has other benefits.

When I’m away from home I discover a greater appreciation for it, and a deeper sense of gratitude for things I tend to take for granted during the day-to-day.

Separation and distance enhances perspective. I have more objectivity and can see what is working well and what areas can be improved upon, which I am often blind to when in the thick of it.

Taking a break from a task or project we are working on produces similar benefits on a smaller scale.

Especially if we’ve hit a sticking point. We often experience more clarity of thinking, have waves of creativity or insight when we step away from a situation.

A change of scenery is apparently even good for one’s sex life. Research shows that new and different experiences can stimulate the release of endorphins and dopamine in the brain which play a key role in sexual arousal.

The Danes, for example, have 46 percent more sex on holiday than they do in their ordinary lives.

The statistic revealed in a current Danish advertising campaign (‘Do It For Denmark’) encouraging vacations as part of a bid to boost their declining birth rate.

Getting away from our everyday stresses helps us to relax, access our fun and creative sides, be a bit more daring and connect with our best selves.

It allows us to see our partners in a different light, out of context of the demands of domesticity.

In a survey done by the US Travel Association, couples report that travelling together significantly improves satisfaction, communication and romance within their relationships.

Family relationships are also deepened and improved through travel, says another survey, it positively impacting bonding, reconnection and memory making.

Many of peoples’ earliest and most vivid childhood memories are of family vacations.

The majority of youth participants on the survey agreed that travelling brings family closer together, creates shared memories they can all talk about for years to come, and provides quality time with parents and grandparents.

“Movement is life,” said Brad Pitt’s character in a movie I recently watched, mostly from behind my fingers.

Otherwise we turn into zombies … A bit of a far-fetched metaphor, but he’s got a point.

With a “same ‘stuff’, different day” attitude we can stagnate.

Changing things up and maintaining forward progress, in business and in life, gives us an edge, keeps us current, creates engagement and tends to feel more like living.

Unfortunately, nipping off on holiday isn’t always an option. But there are some simple and inexpensive ways to do something different:

Experiment. Have lunch in the park or go for a walk around the block rather than eating at your desk and see how the hour changes pace.

Drive home a different way. Try a new recipe or restaurant. Venture a class or group or club.

Things may feel like they’re taking longer or are a bit more of an effort, but part of the point is to expand time (feels like we’re living longer).

Consciously look for the differences to enjoy: a view we might not have seen, sharing a challenge or with a partner, friend or child.

An adventure (if only in the kitchen), even if it all goes wrong, often sparks the funniest moments and memories we cherish.

Alternatives at work might include holding meetings outside. One HR director commented that ‘al fresco’ business meetings were a growing trend within companies as a way of generating new perspectives and creative problem solving.

A different option is the ‘standing only’ meeting. The simple shift of keeping people on their feet affects their approach and ways they participate.

For a start, meetings tend to be more brief and concise. Away-days, team-building exercises, collaborative sports and charity activities can all serve to bring co-workers together.

What about a Stay-cation — a holiday without travel costs? We’re in the right place. There are often deals to be had at the different hotels.

Or try a house-swap or housesit. Before the complications of children and pets come along, I used to love housesitting.

I got to experience Bermuda from different locals and each one changed my perspective and increased my appreciation for the Island.

A retreat into somebody else’s home was far more relaxing than dealing with my own untidy one, and would often rejuvenate me for a Spring Clean with ‘happy to be back’ feelings upon my return.

Too much upheaval? Call-in favours on sleepovers for the children, plan it out: set up music, candles … Whatever we might normally not take the time for, and make a vow not to do chores, check phones or even think about pending ‘to dos’.

We can enjoy the benefits of a weekend away without even leaving home.

Shaking it up slows life down so we can enjoy it more.

Creating experiences or just doing something other than ‘the norm’ increases our chances of building stronger relationships, creating memorable moments and discovering new perspectives, appreciations and gratitude.

Zombie green is unbecoming on anyone!

Julia Pitt is a trained Success Coach and certified NLP practitioner on the team at Benedict Associates. For further information contact Julia on (441) 705-7488, www.juliapittcoaching.com.