Hyderabad Doctor’s Viral Post Sparks Debate on How to Spend Holidays Right

A viral post by a Hyderabad-based doctor, Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru, has sparked an online debate due to her lamentation of the modern-day travel trend where individuals rush through holidays, thereby leaving the tourists worn out instead of relaxed. The candid observation of the doctor has struck a chord with many, underlining the importance of slow travel and exploration in a mindful state.

According to Dr. Sayammagaru, the key to having a very rejuvenating vacation is embracing a leisurely pace, savoring each moment, and soaking in the local culture. "We go on a holiday, and just visit that one place or perhaps a neighboring place," she explained. "We visit places in a leisurely manner, and we know we can't visit all the places. But whatever we are visiting, we enjoy."

This philosophy runs entirely contrary to the "tick-box" approach many travelers take, which often puts them on a quest to visit as many places as possible, even sometimes at the expense of their well-being. "They are in a rush; they want to visit everything, like ticking off items in their list," Dr. Sayammagaru says. "And in this process, they are stressed, and they are not even enjoying the places they are visiting currently."

The tweet has also generated a lot of online debate, with many users sharing their travel styles and philosophies. While many agreed with Dr. Sayammagaru, some countered that not everyone is in the privileged position to be able to afford to take their time and indulge in slow travel.

"Not everyone has that luxury," one commented. "I got Europe visa once and don't know when will I ever get. I want to check some tick boxes before I leave Europe."

Dr. Sayammagaru replied that she meant only domestic trips in India, as it is easier to assume a more relaxed tempo.

Two quite different views stand out in the debate: the "explorer" and the "absorber". While explorers are always in motion, ticking off cities to be seen and planning the next journey, absorbers do the opposite-they take it easy, refraining from rushing and letting themselves be absorbed by local culture.

One user described it thus: "There are two kinds of mindsets that travel for holidays-one's an explorer, the other's an absorber. Explorers are always hyperactive on holidays-always see and plan all the itineraries for a day before. Absorbers are more laidback tourists; they let everything sync in slowly."

Ultimately, the art of slow travel is about embracing the journey and not the destination. It's about connecting with locals, meeting new people, and thus creating memories that last a lifetime. As Dr. Sayammagaru's post has shown, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to travel. But adopting a more mindful and leisurely pace allows the holidaymaker to truly relax, recharge, and make the most of their holidays.

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