Being a mindful traveler means you need to be ‘wholly’ present for the experiences you’re having in a new place while taking care of yourself, others, and the surroundings without distracting yourself with random thoughts. Mindfulness helps travelers be more open to their senses and open to their inner and outer experiences, really ‘feeling’ the moment.
It essentially means devoting your full attention to the travel experience you have as it happens, appreciating the moment more.
With that in mind, here are eight ways to become a more ‘mindful’ traveler:
Put Down Your Phone and Enjoy Your Surroundings
In your hurry to take pictures and document your trips on social media, you may be missing out on the experience itself. Although it’s all right to take a picture or two, it’s best to put down your phone and soak in your surroundings to get the most out of each moment. So, take a break from exploring the best brain-stimulating game apps on your phone to continually keep your mind sharp even on vacation, unwind, and enjoy your surroundings.
Practice Self-Care
Regardless of the reason you’re traveling, there will always be a part saved for some self-discovery. Although you may not mean for it to occur, when you pause, you’ll soon realize that you’ve learned so much about yourself during each venture. Since you’re practically continuously learning about growth and improving yourself, why not mindfully self-care is one of your priorities when traveling?
These can be as simple as learning how to control your drinking habits, regularly drinking water when going out, and eating healthy food.
Take a Moment to Slow Down
Rushing from one place to another can make it challenging to focus on the ‘moment’ and the entire experience. That’s why slowing down or taking your time is a significant piece of being a more mindful traveler. So, when making your travel plans or itinerary, make sure to allow for a little breathing room to appreciate each activity and location more.
Use Your Senses
A great way to ground yourself in the present is focusing on what you’re experiencing with all your senses, not your mind. These include the sound of voices speaking foreign languages, the glimmer of sunshine from the nearby ocean, the smell of grasslands, the feeling of cobblestones beneath your slippers, and the taste of a new dish. These sensations can linger as fun and unforgettable memories even long after your trip is over.
Travel Light
To become a mindful traveler, you need to focus on your surroundings more and enjoy every second you have. However, hauling heavy baggage around can weigh you down, making the trip less than desirable. That’s why it’s best to pack lightly as possible. So, don’t let the stress of wanting to haul everything with you on your trip, make a list of essentials you need to bring — and learn to pack more by bringing less.
Respect the Customs and Traditions
Respect is one of the core aspects of mind traveling. That’s why if there’s one thing that you should never forget to bring with you when on a trip is respect, which you should show for other people and their unique cultures. The best way you can avoid conflicts and show the utmost respect you can is to research the destinations you’re going to be visiting, and no matter how unusual it may seem to you, don’t oppose. After all, it is their country and proud culture.
Connect and Explore With Locals
Although socializing and making ‘friends’ with people can be challenging, it’s worthwhile to try when visiting a new place. Meeting new people, mainly locals, can bring you one step closer to becoming a mindful traveler. It can also be a life-changing experience, connecting you with different souls from various places and enjoy inspiring and intriguing stories from them — and vice versa.
Respect the Surroundings
Being a mindful traveler shouldn’t be limited to respecting people. After all, the environment needs it as much as humans do. So, when you travel, try to think about how you can change certain habits to help protect your surroundings. For instance, staying in an eco-friendly accommodation can be as relaxing as staying in a fancy hotel, but it emphasizes the environment’s health more.
Although mindful traveling may sound challenging, it isn’t as hard as you may think. After all, it doesn’t take much effort to practice and embrace a travel lifestyle that’s beneficial to your well-being and other people, and the tips mentioned can help set you on a mindful path forward, helping you make the most out of your trips.