In today’s world we are faced with constant connectivity and information overload. This can be quite draining, and a lot of people are craving a break from this constant hustle and bustle. But even a vacation can sometimes not feel quite as relaxing as we would like, when we are rushing from one attraction to the next one. And that is where mindful travel comes in. Mindful traveling is not just about the destination; it’s about savoring every moment of the journey with intention and awareness. It encourages us to engage our senses, appreciate the present, and therefore create a deeper connection with the places we visit. In this article, I’ll suggest 17 ways of how you can travel more mindfully to fully enjoy your overall travel experience, and give your mind the break it deserves.
What does traveling mindfully mean?
Traveling mindfully is not connected to specific “mindful travel destinations” or a specific type of traveling. It is more a state of mind and approach to traveling. It really means observing, with all of your senses, what is happening around you and within you. Mindful traveling also means getting rid of your preconceived judgements of what the place you are visiting is like, and how you want your travel experience to be. Just go with the flow, without rush, and sink into the present moment.
So, it is really the opposite to coming to a place as a tourist for a day with a long list of things you want to see, and then rushing through it, taking pictures of everything, but not really enjoying or appreciating any of the things you see.
Mindful traveling is about really experiencing a place. It is a conscious choice you have to make, kind of like meditating. You can for example stop what you are doing for a few moments, observe your surroundings and focus on your senses. While doing this, stop focusing on your thoughts, and just feel.
Mindful travel is related to, but not necessarily the same as sustainable or responsible travel. Sustainable and responsible travel are more external, and require you to do some research into the ethical and environmental impact of the accommodations you are staying in, the means of travel you are using, the activities you are doing, etc. Mindful travel on the other hand is internal, a mental practice, a choice you can make every second.
Tips for traveling more mindfully
1. Start practicing mindfulness at home
Mindfulness is a muscle that needs to be trained. If you never practiced mindfulness in your daily life before, it will be difficult to start when you are traveling. There are simply so many other things to focus on. So, it’s a good idea to incorporate mindfulness training into your daily life at home. You can for example take out 10 minutes every day to meditate. You can also go for mindfulness walks in the forest next to your house. Instead of being absorbed by your phone or your thoughts, try to only focus on observing with your senses. Look at the trees, the animals, the sky, hear the wind whistling in the leaves, the birds singing, smell the fresh earth, feel the tree trunks with your fingers. You will see that being mindful will increasingly become easier, also while traveling.
2. Travel slowly
If possible, consider taking the car, bus, train, or even bike, to your destination. Of course, this is not possible for all destinations, but where it is, try to purposefully travel slowly. This does not only reduce the environmental impact, but also aligns perfectly with mindful exploration. When you travel by train or bus, for example, you can see the landscape slowly shifting. Also, the temperature will change slowly and naturally. When taking a plane, you are confronted with all those changes of temperature and landscape suddenly within one second after stepping out of the plane. This can be a rather unnatural and overwhelming experience for the human body and mind.
You could for example consider doing Interrail. This is a great way of traveling slowly and still being able to see a lot of different places.
3. Travel light
Another important point for mindful travel is packing light. Excess luggage can be quite burdening, as you will either have to drag a big suitcase, or carry a heavy backpack on your bag. So only bring what you really need. Traveling light also means less worries, since you will need to take care of less stuff. It’s also not that easy to forget something when you are going back home. This also allows you to be more flexible and adaptable, making it easier to change plans according to what you feel like in that moment.
4. Explore alone or in small groups
While you can practice mindfulness during all different kinds of travels, there are certain ways of traveling that make it easier to be mindful than others. It is for example much more difficult to travel mindfully if you are in a big group of tourists, because of all the distractions. You are also obviously going to have a less authentic experience of the culture you are visiting if you are surrounded by 50 other tourists. So, consider traveling alone or in smaller groups. Solo travel encourages self-reflection and independence, while small groups allow you to form deeper connections with your fellow travelers. Having meaningful conversations and shared experiences becomes easier when you’re not overwhelmed by a large crowd.
5. See less and don’t rush
A common problem that many tourists have, is that they want to see everything. They write long lists of all the places they want to see and then rush through it because they are short on time. But let me tell you: this is neither fun, nor are you going to have a deeper understanding of the place you have visited. Mindful traveling is about quality over quantity. Choose a few places which you really want to see, and then take the time to discover them in depth. Slowing down allows you to appreciate the details, history, and culture of each location. This way you will create lasting memories that go beyond the surface.
6. Do a digital detox
While technology has undoubtedly made traveling easier and more accessible, it can also become a barrier to mindfulness. Constantly checking emails, social media, and messages can distract you from the present moment. You might want to try doing a digital detox during your travels. Decide on specific times when you want to use your phone (for example when you are in your accommodation) and spend the rest of the day offline. This break from the digital world will give you a more authentic and fun travel experience because you have more time to connect with your surroundings and the people you are traveling with.
7. Take fewer pictures
Try to apply your digital detox also on the amount of pictures you take during your trip. In the age of smartphones and social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to capture every moment on camera. Taking a few pictures to have something to look at after the trip is nice. But taking too many pictures will ruin the moment, because you are no longer being present. When traveling mindfully, put down your device more often and experience the world through your own eyes, not just a lens. You can also consider using a spool-based camera, in order to take less pictures and do so more deliberately. Plus you also have something to look forward to when developing your pictures after the trip and see how they turned out.
8. Walk around without a destination
There’s magic in getting lost in the streets of a new city. Give yourself the freedom to just wander around without a specific destination in mind. By doing so, you open yourself up to unexpected encounters, hidden places that you normally wouldn’t have discovered, and a more authentic experience of the local culture. Just observe with an open mind, and you might be surprised by what you discover.
9. Try new things
Traveling is a unique chance for you to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. Whether it’s tasting an exotic cuisine, participating in local customs, or trying an unfamiliar activity, doing new things opens doors to enriching experiences and helps you to expand your horizon. Challenge yourself to be open-minded and say “yes” to opportunities that come your way. This way, you not only create lasting memories but also gain a deeper understanding of the culture you are visiting.
10. Focus on all of your senses
We commonly mostly use our eyes to make sense of the world around us, so we forget that we also have four other senses. Try involving all of your senses when discovering a new place. You will see that you are going to have a much deeper and more meaningful experience. Take a moment to savor the local cuisine, listen to the sounds of the environment, feel the textures of clothes in the shops, and breathe in the unique scents of each place.
11. Meditate
Meditation is probably the easiest way to practice mindfulness. And the best thing is that you don’t really need anything for it, except for 10 minutes time, and a place where you are more or less undisturbed. I personally meditate regularly, but I have to admit that on vacation I sometimes let it slip because I usually don’t have much time or privacy. But for exactly those reasons, meditating while traveling can be very helpful. You are in a place you probably don’t know, and are experiencing many new things. Maybe you are spending every minute of the day with people that you usually only see occasionally. All of this can be stress factors, and meditation can help calm your mind.
Sit down, in an upright but still relaxed position. Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes. Then close your eyes and focus on your breath, how it flows into your body and back out. Follow the way your breath takes with your full attention. If you notice any distracting thoughts coming into your mind, just observe them and then let them go again. Do not focus on them. You can either say ‘stop’ in your mind when you notice a thought, and then shift your attention back to your breath. Or you can imagine your thoughts like clouds in the sky that are just passing by and eventually disappear at the horizon.
12. Eat more mindfully
One of my favorite aspects of travel is exploring new cuisines. Eating mindfully is an essential part of mindful traveling, as it helps you to enjoy and appreciate your meals more. Mindful eating involves savoring each bite, appreciating the flavors, and observing how the food gives energy to our bodies. Rather than rushing through meals, take your time to enjoy the food of the region. Visit local markets and try street food. While eating, try to only focus on eating. Pay attention to the flavors, the texture, and be grateful that you can eat this meal, in the place you are, at that moment. Think about how much work went into the preparation of this meal. From cultivating all the ingredients, to transporting, and then finally cooking them. This will make you appreciate and enjoy your food more, and help you take less things for granted.
13. Walk barefoot for a few minutes
This one does not work everywhere, I have to admit. You would not want to walk barefoot on the streets of a big city. But if the destination you are traveling to by any chance has a natural area like a park or a forest, just take off your shoes for a few minutes while walking. While we sometimes walk barefoot at the beach, we rarely do it anywhere else. But there is really no good reason not to.
It might feel weird in the beginning, and also a little bit wrong. But after you have overcome your fear in stepping into something you don’t want to step in, you will see that it is actually quite freeing. (You still have your eyes to check out the way.) It is an excellent way to connect to nature, be more present in the moment, and even improve your health. You will become more aware of the sensations under your feet, the temperature of the ground, and the texture of different surfaces, which you usually don’t feel at all.
14. Write a mindful travel journal
Oftentimes when we travel, we experience a lot in a short amount of time. Writing our experiences down helps us to process all of these new impressions and experiences, and make sense of them. A mindful travel journal is more than just a collection of memories; it’s a reflection of your inner thoughts and emotions during your journey. Take the time to write down your experiences, observations, and even the challenges you face. If you don’t have the time to write extensively every day, stick to bullet points, or limit yourself to writing five sentences that sum up your day. Writing also gives you the opportunity to get to know yourself better. And of course, you can also revisit your journal again and again long after your journey has ended.
15. Practice gratefulness
Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to enhance the mindfulness of your travels. For a few moments each day, try to reflect on the positive aspects of your journey. Whether it’s a breathtaking sunrise, a kind interaction with a local, or the nice meal you just had at the market. Being grateful for the things you are able to experience will also automatically make you enjoy them more. Traveling is something that a lot of people dream about, but that is not accessible to everybody. Be aware of this, and be grateful for how lucky you are.
16. Take time to pause
In the whirlwind of travel, it’s important to take out some moments for yourself where you can just relax and reflect. Take time to pause and simply look at the beauty around you. Find a quiet spot, whether it’s a park, a cozy cafe, or a beach, and allow yourself to be fully present. You can practice mindful activities if you feel like it, like meditation, deep breathing, or simply observing the surroundings. These pauses are an essential part of mindful traveling. They not only help you to calm your mind but can also improve your travel experience by helping you to connect deeper with your surroundings.
17. Let go of expectations
While it’s natural to have expectations when traveling, holding onto strict plans can stop you from fully enjoying the present moment. Unexpected things always happen during travels, and it’s simply impossible to avoid that. Trains will get canceled, the weather will change and tours can get fully booked. Then it is up to you whether you let that ruin your trip, or if you go with the flow, and make the best of what you can do instead.
Sometimes, the most memorable experiences happen when you are forced to change your plans. You might even find an activity that is cooler than what you originally had planned. Letting go of your expectations makes you experience the journey with more wonder and excitement. You’ll find that the unplanned moments often become the highlights of your travel adventure.
Mindful traveling is not a checklist; it’s a mindset. By doing small actions like embracing the presence, traveling slow, eating mindfully, and practicing gratitude, our journeys can become more fulfilling and relaxing experiences. A lot of the tips in this article can of course also be implemented in your daily life at home in order to live more mindfully.
Let’s move away from the rush of ticking off landmarks and instead focus on fully experiencing and enjoying the journey. You will see, a world of discovery, connection, and self-reflection awaits you. Happy and mindful travels!