Traveling is a wonderful way to make memories and experience new places, but it isn’t entirely without its stressors. Sometimes it can be stressful to plan the perfect trip, or to be away from home for extended periods of time, or even to be behind the wheel for long stretches of road. If you find yourself feeling stressed, don’t let it ruin an otherwise great trip!
Practicing meditation and mindfulness can help you calm down and stay grounded, so you can go back to enjoying your adventures. You can also try other relaxing activities, like yoga or journaling, to stay in the moment and let go of stressors.
What are the Benefits of Relaxing While Traveling?
It’s almost guaranteed that when you’re traveling, you’re experiencing something new; whether that’s a new location, a new schedule, or a new culture. Trying new things is often a fun and fulfilling experience, but it can also be scary and stressful. Seeking out opportunities to relax in between the hustle and bustle of traveling is a great way to prioritize your health and can allow you to make the most of your trip.
So whether you need to recover from the stress of the day or if you’ve simply set a goal to improve your mental health, seeking out relaxing activities like mindfulness, meditation, or yoga is a great way to relax.
Mindfulness and Meditation Exercises
Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the here and now. By immersing yourself in the present moment without judgment, you can forget about past or future stressors and instead enjoy whatever it is you’re doing. What makes mindfulness unique is you can do it at any time and it requires no special equipment; however, there are some techniques that make it easier to get in the mindful habit for people who need more structure.
A popular mindfulness exercise can be done while walking. During your walking mindfulness activity, try to walk slowly and deliberately. Walk with intention and focus on your rhythm and the sensation of each foot hitting the ground. Try not to think about anything that isn’t directly related to the movement of your body or your surroundings. This exercise is a great way to fully appreciate the nature around you while also letting go of stress or worries.
Breath awareness techniques are another great way to practice mindfulness. For this exercise, get into a comfortable position and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself, and then focus only on your breathing. It can be helpful to count along with your breaths in order to establish a consistent rhythm. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.
Both exercises are a great way to ground yourself in the present moment and remove distractions.
Meditation is a very similar practice to mindfulness. Like with the breath awareness technique, you’ll want to get comfortable and close your eyes. Let go of any mental chatter and instead focus only on what is there in the present moment. It can be helpful to listen to a meditation playlist or use a guided meditation app in order to stay focused on the task.
Other Relaxing Activities to Try on the Road
If meditation and mindfulness aren’t for you, there are still plenty of ways to relax while traveling. One of the most popular relaxing activities is yoga! Yoga classes are available nationwide, and many resorts offer classes to visitors. Attending a yoga class is a great way to move your body, calm your mind, and connect with new people. If you prefer to relax by yourself or with a small group, you can find countless yoga videos on the internet and follow along with them in your RV.
Journaling is another great way to relax, with the added benefit of preserving the memories that you’ve made during your travels. Whether you write down your innermost thoughts or a simple report of what happened that day, journaling can help you process your emotions and relieve stress. Other forms of creative expression, like drawing, painting, or creative writing, are also great activities to consider.
There will always be a few bumps in the road – the important thing is to not let them get to you and ruin the adventure. If you’re stressed about booking reservations or are tired from driving all day, try treating yourself to a relaxing activity so you can make the most of your trip.