Tips for Traveling Mindfully

The idea of summer travel is to get away and get a break. Yet, the pre-departure preparations often feel rushed and haphazard for many of us, and we feel even more frazzled just as we are zipping close our luggage.

We probably don’t link “travel” with “mindfulness,”  but it is a good idea to think about what this means and how we can change our perspective as we embark on a trip.   Counter-intuitively, it comes down to letting go and allowing ourselves to wander wherever we are.

Here are a few tips to take along:

Slow Down.  With our busy and connected lives, it feels as if we are always in a rush.  Use this time to pause periodically during the day and take a few breaths while we study what is around us in those moments.

Feel Each Step.  Often our minds are racing toward the future and we ignore the very ground under our feet.  We can choose to pay attention to the here and now, feeling our feet touching the ground and pushing off.

Savor the NOW.  Focus on what a fellow traveler is saying to us.  While dining, we can close our eyes momentarily and really taste the food and its various ingredients. When we come upon a remarkable landscape, study it intently.

Schedule Free Time.  Allow for time to put away devices and have time to linger over coffee or engage in conversation with locals. Not everything needs to be uploaded on our devices; we can devote energy to being fully present to soak in experiences in the moment.

Recover.   Hiccups happen on trips.  Rather than let unexpected changes in plans or bad moods to get in the way, take time to sit quietly for a few moments to relax and recover.  We can choose to go with the flow and reduce the tension.