Practicing Mindfulness On The Go

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4 Ways You Can Practice Mindfulness When You Travel

As I write this, it’s the beginning of August 2022 and we are in the midst of revenge travel from Covid. 

woman sitting on a pool edge with feet in the water | traveling woman | mindfulness practice

Traveling is wonderful and one of my absolute favorite things to do. So when my clients tell me they are taking a day trip, weekend trip, or an extended trip we take some time to incorporate skills when you might be off of your routine, of course, this is outside of you telling me your wonderful travel itinerary. 

As an ACT therapist, I would not be doing my due diligence if I didn’t talk about traveling and your values and ways to incorporate some mindfulness practice when you travel. 

The important thing is you can continue to take care of your mental health when you travel.

In this blog, I’m sharing with you 4 ways you can practice mindfulness when you are on the go. 

I am an online anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, providing therapy in Maryland and North Carolina. I specialize in therapy for anxious hard-working women. Most often women I work with experience high-functioning anxiety and other issues including perfectionism and burnout. 

Either way, to start anxiety treatment with me, you gotta click the button below to reserve your free 15-minute consultation on the date and time of your choice.

Keep reading to learn about ways you can practice mindfulness when you travel.


4 Ways to Practice Mindfulness for Anxiety When You Travel

There are a lot of myths about mindfulness so I encourage you to check those out but mindfulness is beneficial for anxiety. Using mindfulness is one of the core parts of acceptance and commitment therapy.

The great thing about mindfulness is you can practice it at any time or place. So check out these helpful mindfulness tips below to help you incorporate mindfulness when you travel.

Tip #1 for Practicing Mindfulness on the Go - Pair a mindfulness practice with a daily habit

Grab your toothbrush, put on some suntan lotion, or wash the salty sea out of your hair and practice some mindfulness. 

I encourage my clients to practice some mindfulness with the small things they do daily. When you’re on the go and traveling this might be a bit more challenging because you are out of your normal daily routine but this doesn’t make it impossible.

Learn some quick and easy mindfulness exercises to practice.


woman standing outside drinking cup of coffee | mindfulness exercise | mindfulness for anxiety

Tip #2 for Practicing Mindfulness on the Go - Mindful meals

Take a few moments to savor your vacation meal. Who knows when you might be experiencing wine in Tuscany again, the gumbo in Louisiana that fills your soul, or the delight of Kona Coffee hitting your palate while watching an epic Hawaiian sunrise? 

Try this: Before you take a bite or a sip, use your senses and notice things such as temperature, how the food or drink looks, and smells. After you take a bite or sip, let it linger in your mouth or tongue, can you pick out any spices or flavors? As you swallow, see if you can notice what it feels like to move down your throat.


Tip #3 for Practicing Mindfulness on the Go - People watching

Admittedly, I am all for this one. People-watching is a great way to practice mindfulness. Our brains automatically judge something when we register it, it is the most natural and primitive way to keep us safe. But not all judgments are helpful

Practice trying some nonjudgemental thought noticing.

Traveling and being at an airport is hands down one of the best places to do some people-watching. Take a few moments to practice tuning in to what your brain is telling you but not necessarily following the thought, only noticing until the next thought comes, and so on.


Tip #4 for Practicing Mindfulness on the Go - Mindful stretching

After being cooped up in the car or plane, some stretching is definitely in order. Gotta get that blood flowing properly again!

Try this: So when you have that nice big overhead stretch or those head rolls happening to stretch your neck, pause before and after to notice what it feels like.


Start Anxiety Therapy in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling

Using mindfulness for anxiety is a helpful way to be more in tune with your thoughts and feelings and then take action to work through them. Not avoid them. 

You can learn how to use mindfulness when you start anxiety therapy. 

I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety treatment

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You can learn more about ACT Therapy and if acceptance and commitment therapy is a good fit for you.

Get started in therapy at Calm Waters Counseling by following these 4 simple steps:

  1. Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation

  2. Complete the brief questionnaire sent to your email before the consultation

  3. Meet with your anxiety therapist

  4. Start living your life more in the present

 

Therapy for High Achievers in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling

High achievers experiencing anxiety may find they benefit from practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness can help when you are experiencing signs of burnout, struggling with perfectionism, and other challenges related to being a high achiever.

Get to know more about me and my Wilmington, NC online counseling practice. 

Check out all therapy services offered at Calm Waters Counseling, listed below:

Anxiety counseling in Wilmington, NC

Treatment for Perfectionism in Maryland

Burnout Counseling in Wilmington, NC

Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in Wilmington, NC

 

Online Anxiety Therapy in Maryland 

Online therapy is effective and provides convenience and flexibility to clients to continue taking care of their mental health. 

Online acceptance and commitment therapy for anxiety can provide anxiety relief and is effective

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Click the links below to learn about online therapy where you live

online therapy for anxiety in North Carolina

online anxiety therapy in Maryland

 

Still, have questions? Click the buttons below to learn even more!

 

Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C

Updated 3/18/23