Recently I spent two months in Costa Rica. One day I was walking along a jungle trail next to the Caribbean Sea. I stumbled upon a gorgeous tree that grew parallel with sea. Its beauty fascinated me, so much so that I had to go be next to it. I sat by the sea as the waves calming crashed against my toes. As I sat looking out at the sea and that marvelous tree, it started to gently sprinkle. I had not a care in the world. The moment felt perfect. This embodies the idea of mindful travel. Being present. Being there.
As travelers continue to seek out ways to connect deeper with themselves and the world around them instead of their phones and social media, mindful travel has crept into the tourism industry. Longing for connections while you travel? Here’s how to start practicing mindful travel.
What is mindful travel?
As we are now in a world where machines have replaced many of the jobs once done by humans, there has become an added value to human contact and connection with one’s self. Mindful travel embodies that as it focuses on living in the moment, away from technology, and in touch with yourself and your surroundings in a healthy and sustainable way. It’s a journey of self-discovery and self-renewal.
Traveling is the perfect time to incorporate more mindful aspects and lifestyles into our habits. It can become the first step for many people to direct their habits towards a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Mindful travel is about being present.
Imagine sitting on a glorious mountain top overlooking the sunset after completing a rigorous hike. You didn’t have your earphones plugged in, you weren’t distracted by your cell phone or the outside world, it was just you, nature, and the sunset.
The benefits? You appreciate the moment more as mindfulness helps us be more open to our senses and the world around us.
Mindful travel is about being healthy and balanced.
Whether it’s yoga, outdoor excursions in nature, or meditation, mindful travel involves traveling with health in mind. The healthier your body feels, the more balanced it becomes, resulting in more mindful and present experiences during travels.
Mindful travel focuses on tranquility.
Along with being present and having a sense of balance, mindful travel embodies a spirit of tranquility. Going at a slower pace by enjoying every possible moment, sharing time with family and friends, and worrying less are all aspects of things a mindful traveler might do.
How can I practice mindful travel?
Slow down.
Hopping from place to place adds unnecessary stress and keeps you from having a fully immersive experience.
When visiting touristic sights, try to take a moment to think, reimagine what once was, and take in the moment rather than only snapping photos and quickly heading off.
Let’s not forget food. Travel typically means trying a variety of interesting and unfamiliar foods along the way. Slow down and savor the flavors, enjoy the company you’re with, and take in your surroundings and the locals sitting around you.
Use your senses.
A way to be fully present is to use your 5 senses. Listen to the sounds and languages around you, breathe in the aromas, feel the textures around you, keep your eyes open and look all around you, and taste slowly and enjoy your meals to the fullest.
Keep a journal.
Mindfulness is also about reflecting and documenting what you’re feeling and experiencing. It’s best to write in moment when it’s the most prominent in your mind or before going to bed. Sometimes our thoughts can change the longer we wait, so journaling as you travel is the best way to help you stay mindful and reflect “in the moment” feelings and thoughts.
Check out this personalized vegan travel journal on Etsy.
Want a fun and easy way to keep track of your travels? Check out my map on Humbo & create your own.
Get out into nature.
Nature calls! This is a great way to practice mindful travel. Take some time to wander through nature. Go on a hike, have a swim, or wander through parks and gardens. Venture into the unknown. Part of the idea of mindful travel is getting out of cities and exploring what our planet has to offer us.
Visit spiritual places.
The world “spiritual” means different things for different people. For some, it’s meditating and practicing yoga in a temple in Bali for others it may be escaping the city life to find stillness and silence in search of deep meanings and self-understanding. Whatever spiritual means to you, incorporate it into your travels.
Explore spiritual destinations that are sacred in nature or history such as the Dead Sea, Machu Picchu or Lourdes, France to get in touch with yourself and your surroundings.
Put down your electronics.
Instead of searching for WiFi to update your friends back home about your travels or scrolling through social media, put your phone down and soak in the moment. Try to save that for evenings or down time.
Even on bus and train rides or sitting in cafes, you can miss out on a lot when your head is down and looking at the phone instead of watching the world go by around you.
Book tours with mindful companies.
Though small, there are a select number of companies that do have a focus on mindful travel. Planet Conservation Travel has a niche of mindful travel tours throughout Costa Rica as well as Colombia and Nicaragua. These destinations are full of spiritual experiences and untouched nature.
Mindful Travel Destinations will also help you find mindful hotels and tours primarily in Spain.
Note: Some of the links below contain affiliate links. This doesn’t increase the cost of any item to you, but simply means that I’ll receive a small commission of any sales from those links. But don’t worry — I only share products that I love and trust!
