Mindfulness: Travel Exhaustion & Tips to Slow Down

Courtesy Photo by Karanjit Borah on Unsplash

Mindfulness can be practiced throughout your travels. It helps you to practice appreciation, to be present, and to be open to having joy as you travel solo or with a group. Mindful travel can begin as soon as you arrive. Yet, it is recommended to take a nap, to rest, or to sleep if you are feeling tired on the first day that you arrive to your travel site. Nonetheless, do include some time to eat, hydrate, and to relax before following your itinerary. 

When travel exhaustion occurs, it is recommended to slow down and to name your emotions. Often having emotional exhaustion during your travels can make you feel disappointment, overstimulation, and overthinking. Yet, when you are physically exhausted it can make you feel sleepy and feeling overwhelmed when you have to attend group dinners or social events throughout your travels. However, having mental exhaustion during your travels can be confusing and can make your travels less enjoyable. Always consult with your doctor before you travel especially if you have experienced mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion during your previous vacation trips. 

Do practice self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-gratitude as you do breathing techniques. Draw a box, a circle, a triangle, a square, and other shapes. As you draw the shapes, write your emotion inside the shapes. Then, trace the lines of the shapes with your fingers so you can begin doing your breathing exercises to relax. Color the shapes after you are done tracing the shapes and your breathing exercises. 

Another way is to listen to music and lay down as soon as you get to your hotel, motel, or guest room. Play a card game or a mini wooden puzzle to help you relax. Use your senses as you look at the playing cards or wooden pieces of the puzzle. Sketch the wooden puzzle pieces or sketch your playing cards onto your journal. Also, if you are too exhausted, do take a nap or sleep before practicing mindfulness during your travels. 

Look at the bedroom furniture, refrigerator, microwave, and other items in the hotel room. Then, use your senses as you look at everything in the room. Wash your face, brush your teeth, or drink water as you sit down. After that grab a blanket and look at the fabric, the colors, and the design of the blanket. Close your eyes and say an affirmation, a positive word, or the word " sleep" to help you relax and to take a nap. 

Stop rushing to follow everything on your travel itinerary. Often being present and noticing what is near you or far away from you can help you practice self-awareness during your travels. Additionally, disconnecting from your electronic devices for thirty minutes or for one hour can help you explore your surroundings. Use your senses, say affirmations aloud, and do stretches as you prepare your mind and body to relax. Here are websites about practicing mindfulness for your travels. 

Travel as a Mindfulness Practice:

Travel as a Mindfulness Practice | Hope For The Journey

The Growing Trend of Mindfulness in Travel and Everyday Life:

The Growing Trend Of Mindfulness In Travel And Everyday Life

 

* Courtesy Photo by Karanjit Borah on Unsplash