How to Incorporate Mindfulness When Traveling
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Most of us love to travel for the excitement of being in a new place. But excitement and mindfulness don’t usually go hand-in-hand.
And if you’re interested in all the many benefits of mindfulness, you probably don’t want to take a break while traveling. And, to be honest, you probably need mindfulness more during travel than ever before.
In this post, we’re going to explore how to incorporate mindfulness during your travels.
Cross your t’s and dot your i’s
If you’re sure you have nothing left to do or worry about, it’s much easier to focus on the present moment. So that means that you should start from the beginning and ensure you have everything you need. Get all the documents necessary to obtain a passport, find out if you need a visa, and plan to have all your documents in-hand well before you intend on taking this trip. While you’re there, be sure to always have cash-in-hand (in the local currency, of course), so you don’t have to worry about unexpected expenses.
Reset your focus
It’s easy to let our thoughts run wild, especially when the environment is constantly changing. But instead of following those frantic thoughts, get in the habit of resetting your focus. This means taking anywhere from one to five minutes to focus on the present moment. You can do this in a quiet space or a busy transit center. The location doesn’t matter as long as you’re able to set your focus in the present. Choose one thing to focus on for a short time and bring your thoughts and attention to this moment.
Eat well
When you’re traveling, you’re probably going to be tempted to reach for comfort foods. But if you want to stay mindful, it’s also important to take care of your body. Instead of choosing fatty, high-sodium foods, try to shop at local farmer’s markets and find foods and snacks that will provide the most nutritional nourishment. The way we eat really does have an impact on our ability to focus, so do what you can to stay on track. It’s not something you want to stress over, but you’ll want to keep it as clean as possible. That’s why the 80/20 diet works really well for travelers. You can focus on eating clean 80 percent of the time and cut yourself a little slack on the rest.
Sleep well
When you lack sleep, it’s going to be more difficult to focus. And when your mind is running amok, you’re going to struggle to maintain mindfulness. This can be a major problem during travel as your circadian rhythm is thrown off track. To counteract this imbalance, avoid caffeine and alcohol as much as possible and rely on natural sleep remedies like melatonin whenever it’s absolutely necessary.
Exercise
Yoga and tai chi are great ways to keep your body active and your mind in the present moment. Both exercises are designed to help you focus on breathing, mindfulness, and movement. Either will be a great way to start a day of travel.
Meditate
If you want to increase mindfulness, continue meditation practice as you’re traveling. Even just a few minutes daily will help ground you and keep you present throughout your day. Try to meditate in the morning before the day gets away from you. It’s always best to begin from a place of calm, mindfulness when you want to retain control over your day.
Mindfulness is so important in all areas of our lives, but it can be especially beneficial during travel to mitigate stress and help you make better decisions. Practice these tips to help stay mindful during your next trip.
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