Welcome to the Travel and Wellness Blog, a place to let mindfulness and travel lead you to wellness. What comes to “mind” when we think of mindfulness? Maybe we think of Yoga. Or meditation, being still and trying to have an empty mind. Wait, an empty mind? That doesn’t sound right, it must have something to do with our minds being full…but full of what? Full of the present-moment!

What is Mindfulness?

Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLAs Mindful Awareness Research Center, explains, “Mindfulness is paying attention to our present-moment experiences with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be with what is. It’s the capacity of our mind to not be lost in the past or future, but to be more present, to be less reactive.” Not being lost in the past or future sure sounds good, doesn’t it?

We also like what Dr. Eric Loucks, director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown University says, “We’re looking at our thoughts and feelings with curiosity, gentleness, and kindness.” Simply put, instead of being stuck in the past or worrying about the future, mindfulness is a practice of focusing on the present-moment. AND, let’s not gloss over that part about looking at our thoughts and feelings with curiosity, gentleness and kindness.

This seems nice but does it really impact our well-being? Yes, mindfulness affects wellness! Studies suggest that focusing on the present can have a positive impact on health and well-being. NIH News in Health reports that “Mindfulness-based treatments have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. There’s also evidence that mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve sleep. It may even help people cope with pain.” Wow – mindfulness has some real wellness power!

⇒ Practice mindfulness, while on vacation: See all Women-only Adventures with Canyon Calling

 “I so appreciate your doing everything you could to make this an amazingly positive experience. This was everything I had hoped for and so much more! Emma was a phenomenal guide who made every aspect of this trip something to be experienced! She is a treasure!! I was hoping this would be an unforgettable week and it was truly an experience of a lifetime! Thank you for providing this opportunity for me and like-minded women!”
— Gretchen P, IA Active Alaska

Ready to start your mindfulness practice? So how do we go about it? A great way to  start is by setting time aside each day specifically for enjoyment or relaxation. Sounds a bit like taking a vacation. Did you know the word vacation comes from the French language meaning freedom or release from an activity or occupation?

This vacation from our daily lives can literally happen in place, right now, as well as through travel. When we take a vacation, we have freedom and release from the stress and routine of our daily lives. This allows us to step into present-moment awareness, to be more curious of and tune into our current surroundings.

We can now give ourselves permission to slow down and take time to notice our thoughts and feelings with curiosity through a gentle and kind lens. Here are some things we can do during this time of mindfulness: capture our current thoughts and feelings in a journal, go for a nature walk or simply look out the window and take in our present surroundings, practice breathing exercises, enjoy a few nourishing stretches…there are many options!

Daily mindfulness vacations are important to our well-being. It’s also vital to take longer vacations, freeing ourselves from our routines through travel. In a sense, vacating our daily lives, leaving stress behind us as we explore new environments.

Learn more about our amazing travel experiences for women only ⇒

Ready to take a break from your usual routine and practice mindfulness on an amazing adventure? Canyon Calling will help you with that! Grab your sense of curiosity and click the link to see where you’d like to go first: Solo Women’s Travel: Women Traveling Together with Canyon Calling

To learn more about how I can help you achieve optimal wellness through remote one on one fitness and/or nutrition sessions, including mindfulness, click here: Personal Trainer | Sue Kartheiser | Stay Fit With Sue | Fort Collins, CO

Stay Curious, Explore Your World and Be Well,

Sue