How to Be More Mindful When Traveling

Traveling takes us out of our comfort zone and has us adapt to a new way of living. Due to time constraints, we often pack our days full and dash from one activity to the next with reckless abandon. When we get back from our trip, we feel like we need a vacation following our vacation.

 What if there was a better way to travel and enjoy your vacation? Mindful traveling allows for mindfulness of our bodies, inner-thoughts, and souls, and can lead to more enriching experiences. Even if you’re not the type of person to meditate, you can give being mindful a try.

 

Travel Mindfulness 101

Mindfulness involves living in the moment. It helps you identify the things that are the most important to you so that you’re not living on autopilot. You’re able to cultivate the type of life you want to live and the type of traveler you are thanks to how mindful you've become. 

 

Here are some tips that will help you bring mindfulness to your next trip:

 

• Walk wherever you can.  You’ll have a better opportunity to explore the world around you and engage all of your senses. Take your time to get to where you want to go. Note anything of interest that you’d like to go back to and visit later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Think before you speak.  Are you talking because you’re nervous? Is what you’re saying useful? If you’re speaking just to pass the time and fill space, you’re not gaining much from the interaction.

 

• Eat slowly.  Savor the food that you’re eating. Take in its aroma and flavor by sitting and appreciating your meal in all its glory. Engage in local traditions to heighten the experience.

 

• Put down your phone.  People instinctively grab their phones because they want to document the experience. If you must, give yourself five minutes to take pictures or jot down a few notes about what you’re doing to share on social media. Then, put your phone away for the rest of the time.

 

• Create your own form of meditation.  Paint or make music. Sing, dance or sunbathe. Whatever helps you tune out the noise of the world helps. You can spend each day discovering a new way to practice meditation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a deep breath and become aware of your surroundings. Know that there is no rush to go anywhere or do anything. Feel the sensations in your body as they occur and take note of what seems right. Then, you can move on to the next attraction or activity you hoped to experience.

 

Slow Down and Savor Every Minute That You Spend Traveling

All too often, people rush through their days only to be filled with regret that they didn’t see or do more while traveling. You can avoid feelings of dissatisfaction by learning how to take a more mindful approach while on a trip. Slowing down and being fully present takes some practice. Once you get used to it, though, you’ll never go back to the frenzied pace you once lived your life by.