How to Cultivate A Vacation Mindset
Without stepping foot in an airport or filling a tank of gas…
You know that feeling when you’re on vacation and the tension leaves your shoulders and you just let the day unfold, unable to be shaken by the little things? That’s a powerful mindset.
Sand on my towel? No big deal. Alarm clocks, what are those? Ah, the days of sitting on the beach (or in the mountains if that’s your thing) with nothing else to do but breathe a little deeper and more slowly is priceless.
So let’s harness that feeling.
Whether you are drowning in a sea of work or simply stressed with everything life’s been throwing your way (like whoa), sometimes what you need is a spiritual getaway. What’s the best way to reduce stress? Take a vacation... in your mind!
I’m all about hopping on a plane or taking that long car ride. But it’s not always possible. Sometimes life really can be too much, but we can find the benefits of a vacation - even if we’re just at home on the couch cramming some extra work hours in.
A virtual vacation may seem silly, but there are some real benefits that come from time away that we can tap into even if we don’t (or can’t) leave our home town.
Here are a few tips on how to channel a vacation mindset to get you through even the most stressful of times.
1. Treat yourself the way you would if you were on vacation.
Sometimes we forget to treat ourselves. Whether it’s a stack of pancakes for breakfast, exploring a new neighborhood with no end goal, or splurging on your favorite smoothie bowl, doing something for yourself is the first step to a positive and blissful mindset. When we’re on vacation, we often allow ourselves that double scoop of ice cream after dinner, or maybe we sleep in a little later. Those gentle gestures shouldn’t be reserved for physical vacations. Give yourself some love, seriously: you deserve it!
2. Treat others the way you would if you were on vacation.
Treating yourself as you would on vacation goes hand-in-hand with treating others as you would on vacation as well. We are social beings and we need interactions to get us through the day, so why not make them positive ones?
Believe it or not, treating others with happiness, kindness, and respect can do wonders for our own pleasure (short and long term)! If you’ve ever been on vacation solo, you’ve likely noticed how many more interactions you have with strangers in that situation.
Whether you’re asking someone for directions or just striking up a conversation with a local in the coffee shop, we often get a big dose of connection on vacation. Find a way to connect with your loved ones a little bit more, instead of rushing back to work when your meeting is over.
3. Disconnect from your phone.
As difficult as this may be at first, stepping away from your phone, laptop, or iPad for a bit each day can be the best thing you do for yourself. People often associate taking breaks with scrolling through their social media apps or watching a quick episode on Netflix, but sometimes, what we need is to explore the physical space we are in — not a screen.
Take a walk and explore the outdoors. Read a real book with pages (not a Kindle!). Meditate or do yoga. Sit on the back porch with your honey and enjoy a cup of matcha — or a cocktail — no judgement here!
Disconnecting from your phone not only allows you to take a break from the screen time, but it also allows you to take a break from everything else in the world that is stressful. Whether it’s work, the news, or the TV drama you’re bingeing, removing technology removes stress from your brain.
PS. Need a good summer read? Check out some of our favorite books for female entrepreneurs!
4. Immerse yourself in the moment.
Find your own optimal state of mind, a sense of calm or ease, and tap into that. Whether you are laying out in your backyard catching some sun or sitting at your desk, you always have control of your mind.
Allow it to take a step back from the chaos and enjoy some mental whitespace. We all deserve to live our daily lives with a taste of tranquility, so let your brain roam free and become inspired. I encourage you to take 5 minutes out of every day to repeat a mantra that takes you to your vacay mindset.
If you need some inspo to get started, check out 11 of my favorite morning mantras that will start your day off right.
Whatever you do next, do it from a vacation state of mind and let me know how your day unfolds.
