10 practices on how to be mindful while traveling

10 practices on how to be mindful while traveling. Thinking about whether the waterfall or beach excursion would be better, checking the weather, sending a picture to your friend back home: Do you really stay present throughout our trip? Are you mindful about the new culture and environment that you are exposed to?

If the answer isn’t Yes, then these tips are small incremental mindful practices that help you to travel more consciously.

1. Breathing exercises as mindful travel practices

Shallow breast breathing is usually a stress response. Taking deep breaths in your belly helps you to relax and ease the tension in your body. You can find numerous breathing techniques that you can integrate into your travels to become more mindful. Some examples are abdominal breathing, nostril breathing, Sitali breathing and deep breathing.
You can also integrate breathwork in a small meditation: Get into a comfortable seat, breath in and out, put all your concentration on your breath. If your mind wonders, lead it back to the breath.

2. Being more mindful of your screen time

If you were following my blog for a while, you know that I’m a fan of digital detoxification. Taking a break from your online time has mental health benefits, backed by numerous studies..

While traveling, it is important to know the opening times of shops, when the bus leaves, how to get to your destination and what amazing activities await you at your new destination. For all that, you most probably will use your mobile phone. However, what if you instead ask locals? Depending on the country and culture, this can bring additional understanding and know-how to your trip. You can also find other ways to reduce your screen time. Have an analog notebook where you write down activities that you want to do, or anything that comes to your mind.

3. Eating consciously while traveling

While traveling, it can happen that you are in a stressful situation and therefore you grab just a quick bite at a fast-food chain or at an available street food stand.
More and more people with food intolerances are coming to light. Many processed foods have little to do with compatible food. You might not be aware of that yet. Still, these foods aren’t good for your body. Try to always have healthy snacks on hand, whether it is an apple, banana, nuts, dry fruits or your self-made oat bars.
Another helpful tip is to not eat in a rush. Well chewed food is helping your digestion and your overall well-being. This includes eating unconsciously while being on your phone or reading a book. Be present with every bite you make.

4. Observing the culture and situations

Observing the environment that you are in. Sometimes you pack your travels full of activities. While you forget that you would also need some time to rest, some time to acclimatize and really arrive. A friend of mine recently traveled to an exotic country and was thinking about doing a surf course on the second day. In the end, she didn’t do it, as she still felt a bit too exhausted from the travels. Allow yourself this break after you arrive at a new destination. Don’t schedule your activities, just be there and observe your new environment.

5. Journaling during your mindful travels

Another way to bring more mindfulness practices into your travels is through journaling. It is simply writing down your thoughts and feelings. You can journal freely or have open questions that help you to get your thoughts and feelings on paper. At the time of photo and video it is another great way to keep memories. I remember that I journaled a lot in my teens and love to read those pages, often with a smile on my face. If you feel too lazy to write, you can also make voice notes on your phone. 

6. Meditation for more clarity

Integrating meditation can be sometimes difficult. If you are a budget traveler and you are staying in shared rooms, it’s hard to have privacy. Especially if you are also traveling to cities. However, if you are in rural areas and weather permits, you can also practice meditation in nature.
I remember once I did a guided walking meditation in Mexico City. I was pretty stressed about my flight back home, and meditation grounded me and released the tension.

7. Being present – enjoy each moment abroad

During your travels, it can happen that you are already in your mind already at the next step. You sit on the bus that brings you to the mountains, but your thoughts are already on the hike, wondering if you can find the path, if the weather will still be sunny and warm, etc. Try to be more mindful of your thoughts. Whether it is worrying, planning, or daydreaming. Be conscious of your thoughts. In case you have lots of things going on in your mind, write them down, then you have them out of your system.

8. Being grateful

Lot of things can go wrong while traveling. Overall, I can say that I was always very blessed during my travels. Nevertheless, I also experienced physical and emotional pain. It is hard to always stay grateful, especially if you miss your family or you just had a bad accident.
The learnings come with time. I learnt how to deal with homesickness. I learnt that after clouds; the sun comes again. Especially as a long-time traveler or digital nomad, your bad weeks might feel even worse than at home. But remember that you don’t need to pressure yourself into this lifestyle and that it is ok to go home if you need that. 

9. Cultural immersion

It is always good to learn the basics of the local languages. It shows the locals that you are interested in and willing to take efforts to learn about the country/culture. There are various ways to immerse yourself in the culture. You could go to a traditional event, meet up with locals or visit a local cooking class. I remember in Mallorca I went to a theater in the local library. Although the play was in Catalan, I didn’t understand much. It gave me an insight into the culture and the language. 

10. Conscious travel tip – Mindful walking

An idea of conscious walking is to walk without a destination or without navigation. Just explore the environment mindful and without an agenda. If you are a traveler without good orientation, it’s best to know how to return to your place of accommodation. You might need to use your navigation system. 

Walking around without a destination is a great way to explore a new environment without expectations. Leaving your phone in your bag allows you to fully embrace the present moment and let’s emerge into the country. You might notice things that otherwise you wouldn’t notice.