The Practice of Mindful Travel

Just to clear things up, to be mindful doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be a person who meditates. All mindfulness is, is to be in the present moment and to be aware of everything going on around you. You feel bodily sensations, notice every sound you hear and investigate the details of your surroundings. I’m sure you all know what this feels like. Then I’m also sure you know what the opposite of mindfulness is which is getting lost in thought, zoning out, and beginning to daydream.

Don’t get me wrong, none of that is bad to do, it’s just that it’s good to learn to know when the right time and place for that is. Don’t think about that crazy night in Thailand a month ago while you’re trekking to Everest and have the most jaw-dropping views in front of you. Do it when you’re settled down and somewhere you could spend time with your thoughts.

When I first began traveling, my thoughts would race almost all the time. For example, I would be walking through a beautiful historic street and even though I would be seeing everything around me, I would be somewhere else in my head causing my vision to blur. Whether that be thinking about what to do after this, what I did yesterday or the other day, a certain fantasy, a girl, it honestly goes on forever. Then afterward I would regret not fully diving into the details, atmosphere, and mood of that street I walked through. If this happens to you, then it can be very easily fixed by doing this mindful practice.

Quick tips to mindful practice that you can do anywhere

• Once you catch yourself being lost in a thought. Simply make a mental note that you were just thinking and gently shift your focus onto anything in the present moment. This is then repeated and that right there is the practice of mindfulness.
• You can rotate between all your senses and spend a couple of minutes focusing on each one. These are exercises in keeping yourself in the present moment once you’ve shifted away from thinking.
  • Listen to all the sounds around you and visualize where the sounds are coming from.
  • In your head name out anything that your eyes are currently seeing. Tree, sign, cat, old wall, broken bridge, big rock, a person riding a bike, monkey swinging from telephone wire. You get the picture.
  • Check in with yourself by doing a body scan. Explore any sensations you feel – an itch, tingling, stiffness, or even soreness. You can even question yourself on whether you’re exhausted or energized. Your body is something that is always in the moment, so you can always use it to bring you back.

Continue Reading more about being a Blissful Backpacker

How to Begin a Life of Travel 

The Real Importance of Low Budget Travel

Do your research on the country before going

Dive into the general history of the country upon arrival

Volunteering

The Importance of Local Tour Guides

Having more trust in strangers