What Is Mindful Travel?

 

Mindful travel uses the most helpful ways of caring for our mental health and applies them to our lifestyle when travelling, in order to have the best possible travel experiences. Mindful travel can improve just about every aspect of travelling, from planning itineraries to enjoying bucket list activities, being mindful benefits us, our travel buddies and communities of the destinations we are visiting.  

Who is Mindful Travel for?

Mindful travel can be used by pretty much anyone who is travelling for any period of time. Sounds broad, right? That's because what mindful travel teaches is that no matter how big or small the journey, we can improve the experience for everyone. 

 

By living in the moment,  being aware of our mental and physical wellbeing, and the impact our travel experiences is having on us and the people around us, everyone benefits. 

 

Some examples of people who can use mindful travel include:

 

  • Solo travellers
  • Digital nomads
  • Travelling as a couple
  • Group travellers
  • Travelling as a family
  • Long term travellers

What does mindful travel include?

  • Having awareness of our own mental and physical needs when travelling
  • Actively practicing self care to feel our best when travelling
  • Making choices that support sustainable tourism
  • Considering the impact of our travels on local communities
  • Being in tune with the needs of our travelling companions

How can I travel mindfully?

There are so many ways that you can do mindful travel, and here's the tea - the chances are you have some tools needed for mindful travel without realising! 

 

That's right, I've spilt the beans. You may well already have many things you need to travel mindfully. BUT, It's about having the awareness to meet your own needs when travelling, and using the tools I will teach you, to make your travels the most joyful experience they can be. 

 

Here are some ways you might already be travelling mindfully:

  • Packing prescription medications
  • Making a list of must-do activities in your destination
  • Letting someone know where you're going
  • Researching budget-friendly accommodation
  • Learning some key phrases in the language of the country you're visiting

 

How can I travel more mindfully?

By reading this blog, you will learn how to unlock your more mindful self, and will benefit from the countless ways that mindfulness enhances your travels. 

 

For example, try this right now :

 

  • Bring attention to your posture. Ah, did you re-adjust yourself? It's totally ok if you did. Remember the aim is to notice how you're feeling, and then let go of any judgements that inevitably come up as we try this stuff.

The way we hold ourselves is a reflection of how we are feeling inside. Hopefully by doing this very quick check-in, you are just a tiny bit more in tune with how your body is feeling right now. 

 

OK, try this next one:

 

  • Unclench your jaw, drop your shoulders and take a nice, long deep breath in.

I'm not sure about anyone else, but after a night of only six hours sleep in our sometimes too air-conditioned room in a Tokyo share house, I needed this one. 

 

We hold a lot of tension in places we don't even realise, just taking a few seconds to bring awareness to these areas can help us start to let go of this stored-up stress. 

 

Finally;

 

  • Take a few minutes to think about your travelling experience, be it present, past or future.

What effect is it having on you right now? How does it/will it benefit your life? What are you grateful for? How could it be better moving forward?

 

Taking a few moments to consider these things helps us to become more mindful of our experience and ultimately will lead to fuller, more meaningful travel. 

 

 

What's the difference between Mindful Travel and mindfulness?
 

Mindful travel and mindfulness are inherently linked. Mindfulness is quite literally the practice of living in the moment. It asks us to let go of any judgements and is a skill that requires dedicated attention and practice. It allows us to be intentionally more aware, while reducing stress and other difficult emotions. 

 

Mindful travel uses principles of mindfulness techniques to be more awake to our experiences when travelling, and can lead to us having a better, more meaningful time. 

 

Additionally, mindful travel means giving consideration to the needs of others and the environments we are in, so we can have a positive impact on the places we visit and the people around us. 

By Abbey Faye Williams / August 12 2023

As the old saying goes; "wherever you go, there you are". 

 

Being mindful of where you are at in this very moment allows you to see yourself exactly where you are, without trying to make changes. Doing this while travelling allows you to pause and take it all in. 

 

Honour yourself and your surroundings in this present moment by acknowledging it, for all we have is right now. 

 

Boat journey through Kong Lor Cave, Laos

Bamboo train in Battambang, Cambodia

View from Ko Yao Noi, Thailand 

Taking a second to admire a heart-shaped vine string in Chiang Rai, Thailand 

Camping at the foot of Mount Fuji, Japan 

Sunset view from Chedi Phra That Temple in Pai, Thailand 

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