Planning out a vacation for yourself can be super fun.
You don’t have to ask anyone if they want to visit any attractions or museums with you, and you can save money by getting a smaller hotel room.
The planning of a trip can be so detailed that you lose yourself in it, going through the motions of the schedule you made for yourself even when you’re at your favorite parts of your trip.
Be Mindful
The next time you go out on a solo adventure, remember to practice mindfulness to get the most out of your vacation. By being focused and in the moment, you’ll finish your trip more refreshed and relaxed to go back home.
Here are some simple exercises you can do, even if you’ve never tried being mindful before:
1. Go Without Electronics
For some parts of your trip, you may have to include your electronics out of necessity. You might need your phone for GPS or to call someone in the case of an emergency.
However, having constant connection to electronics throughout your trip will only cause you to be more distracted and less in the moment.
Try not using your electronics when you can. Read a book before bed instead of watching a movie. Do some yoga first thing in the morning instead of reaching for your phone.
2. Try Meditation
When people suggest that you try to focus and be present, the first thing you may think of is meditation. Practicing meditation can be a great way to also be mindful while on a trip.
After you explore those new locations or hike new trails, find a quiet place to meditate and just be.
The difference between meditation and focused breathing is all about how you do it. To know how to mediate correctly, read up on some ways you can try focusing.
All you really must do is find a quiet spot and devote 25% of your focus on your breathing. The rest of your focus should be on your body and the world around you.
Focusing on your existence is a great way to get the most out of any trip.
3. Practice Breathing
This might sound like overkill, but practicing breathing exercises can help you stay in the present and not worry about things in the future. Even while on vacation, you can be preoccupied with worries that you don’t need to deal with in that moment, and breathing can help center you away from any negative thoughts.
You can easily learn a quick breathing exercise, but the key is to know when you’ll need to do it.
For the purposes of a short adventure, you can practice as many times a day as you need to.
When you’re back in your normal schedule, breathe with purpose for fifteen minutes each week to ensure that you’re giving your body and mind the best possible peace.
4. Focus on Your Food
You may not have heard of it before, but mindful eating is a common way people incorporate mindfulness all day long.
Once you read about what mindful eating actually means, you’ll be able to do it on your next trip and every day after that.
Focus on the smell and taste of what you’re eating and how your body is responding to the food. You’ll become more in tune with what you’re putting in your body, which may eventually lead to a positive change in your diet.
For now, think only about the food on your plate and be thankful while you focus on all the good that comes from what you’re eating.
Being mindful is something that’s become more popular recently because people are always looking to de-stress and find new ways to get joy out of life.
Just because you’re going on a trip doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself in your schedule or the stresses that can come along with vacation.
On your next adventure alone, look at your trip as a way to focus on yourself and the world around you.
Practice mindfulness by performing simple exercises to bring new peace and perspective to your life.
