Family Travel

  • Meditation Techniques For Family Travelers

    A Simple Meditation Guide for Frequent (and new) Family Travelers

    Meditating on the road can be challenging if you’re feeling tired and overloaded. However, there are some guiding principles and practical strategies to help you remain consistent with your practice while you travel.

    Guiding Principles

    Add variety to your routine. If being in an unfamiliar place makes it harder to settle down into your habitual activities, turn the circumstances around to your advantage. This is a chance to experiment with new techniques.

    Be Flexible

    Work with whatever you have on hand. Borrow a pillow from your bed to use as a cushion if your Zafu (pillow, cushion or mat) is too fluffy to fit into your carry-on bag. If you usually burn incense, apply a scented lotion along your shoulders and neck (as well as the kids) for a soft touch of fragrance.

    Focus on Quality over Quantity

    If you’re suffering from a lack of sleep or your daily agenda is jam-packed, go easy on yourself. Even 5 minutes of meditation can help relax and restore you. Pushing yourself too hard will almost certainly backfire and leave you and the kids feeling tenser.

    Build Up Your Resistance

    The more you and your family travel, the more you’ll all come to expect that things will sometimes turn out differently than planned. That’ll help you and your family develop a strong sense of perseverance you can’t buy. If you have an unexpected layover, take a few minutes to relax so you’ll feel calmer as you revise your plans. Many airports, if not all, have prayer/faith rooms (free of course!) Use these to your benefit as well. In case you have small children, be sure to “role-play” your prayer & meditation time at home so the kids understand what you expect of them when you’re traveling out and about!

    L.I.G. It

    Let it go. Let go of all your expectations. Traveling can be a valuable lesson if you use it to remind yourself that external conditions are beyond your control. Even so, you can still protect your peace of mind. Practice remaining neutral when flights get delayed or luggage gets lost. In turn, you’ll naturally model and teach this to your kids as well.

    Maintain Healthy Habits

    The mind and body are closely connected, so it’s easier to concentrate when you take care of your physical health. Stick to nutritious foods, daily exercise and adequate rest.

    Practical Strategies

    Bring a familiar object along with you. You’ll feel more at home if you pack a small item that reminds you to practice. It can be as simple as bringing a small bell that you can ring to call your mind to attention or a bracelet or piece of jewelry. Then, you can wear it and remove it as you complete your practice. Girls will especially love this and boys can easily adapt this with another sensible token such as a rubber band or watch etc. (Can you tell I don’t have boys? lol Sorry Mamas)

    Blend Out Background Noises

    Noise can be a distraction if you have a hotel room next to the elevator or noisy “neighbors”. Keep a pink noise recording loaded on your iPhone, Andriod or MP3 player. It will sound like soft rain in the background. There are plenty of free apps in both stores to help with this.

    Some of my favorites are:

    • Brain.fm
    • White noise generator
    • Calm
    • Sleepa
    • Relax Melodies
    • or THIS soundtrack

    Wear Eyeshades

    Meditation is hard to spot from the outside. If you wear eyeshades, flight attendants and seatmates will assume you’re asleep and they’ll be less likely to start talking to you. Bonus points if you also use headphones.

    Schedule a Meditation Session (for immediately when you wake up)

    The most disruptive thing about travel may be getting off your regular schedule, especially if you’re crossing into new time zones. By meditating whenever you wake up, you’ll stay on track. The most obvious way to hold yourself and your family accountable is by using an alarm. Need an unconventional way? Use a service like- Focusmate!

    Find a Local Meditation Center

    Having some company around may motivate you to meditate. Search online for local mediation centers at your destination. They’re everywhere – from yoga studios to community centers.

    Meditate Outdoors

    Travel is much more stimulating if you get out of your hotel room. Go down to the beach or ask the staff at the front desk if there’s a park or public garden nearby. This is also ideal, if the meditation centers around aren’t kid-friendly.

    Opt For Walking Meditation

    If the last thing you want to do is sit down again after a long flight, walk around while you meditate. Just focus on your breath or positive thoughts while you adopt a steady and gentle pace.

    Traveling enriches your life (and your family’s) with new experiences and opportunities. By working some meditation time into your schedule, you’ll all have more energy to enjoy all the wonderful things around you wherever you go.

    woman meditating

  • Safety Tips When Traveling by Train

    Safety Tips When Traveling by Train

    Taking a trip by train is a relaxing and economical way to get around. Even though train travel can take longer than traveling by car, trains are more affordable. Not only that – you don’t have to put yourself through a potentially long drive. But, when traveling by train, it’s essential to be mindful of your safety. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe during a trip by train.

    Preparing for the Trip

    There are many important factors that you need to consider during the preparation of your trip. Before purchasing your ticket, it is recommended that you research how the train system works in your destination area. You can find this information online or in a travel guidebook. There will be information on the different classes of travel, any discounts you may be eligible for, how to reserve seats, ticket validation, food, and drink availability, and travel accessibility.

    Luggage and Belongings

    Before you start to pack, look into any baggage restrictions the train might have – especially if you plan on taking any large pieces of luggage with you. Also, don’t forget to pack a pillow, blanket, and entertainment for the journey.

    Check to make sure that electrical outlets will be available during the trip before you pack anything that needs to be plugged in. Try to pack light, so your bag is easy to carry. If the trip is going to be a long one, it may be a good idea to pack food and drink as well.

    At the Station

    The best way to keep your belongings safe at the train station is to keep them with you at all times. Carrying your cash and credit cards in a money belt keeps them on your person and makes them harder to steal. If you have to stay in the station for an extended period of time, make sure that you stay in well-lit areas near other passengers.

    While waiting for your train, pay close attention to the announcements. If your platform is changed or your train is delayed, it is likely to be announced before it shows up on the departures board.

    On the Train

    Once the train starts to move, make sure you hold onto a railing or seatback while walking around on the train. It’s hard to keep your balance while the train is moving, and you could fall without extra support.

    Make sure that you keep an eye on your possessions at all times, just in case. Take any valuables that you can with you when you use the restroom and make sure that the rest are stowed in your compartment and out of sight. If it’s possible, keep your compartment locked while you’re sleeping, and sleep on top of your money belt to keep it safe.

    A train trip can be a pleasant and memorable experience, as long as you keep yourself safe. Pack only what you will need and make sure you keep a close eye on it during the trip. But, also remember to relax and take the time to enjoy the ride.

    train station

  • 3 Reasons why YOU need to shop abroad

    3 Reasons you NEED to shop abroad

    Here’s why you should be buying all your clothes/ items abroad:

    We travel A LOT… at least in my opinion. No complaining here, I love it! But I’d be lying if I said it came without struggles…

    One of the biggest challenges for me is deciding which items are the most important ones to pack into our luggage.

    3 Reasons why YOU need to shop abroad 2

    During the first couple years of our marriage, I quickly learned the benefit of packing neutral colored items…Clothing that could easily be mixed and matched for a plethora of outfit combos. But, I still had a hard time getting everything to fit. And now with two kiddos, I find the challenge even harder.

    So I thought long and hard and realized that I don’t particularly dress fancy every day. If I can be real honest here, you can pretty much find me wearing the same outfit 3 days in a row! #helloyogapants

    So, did I really need the number of clothes I was carrying? Do you? And for my kiddos? Did they really need THAT MANY outfits? Now, I know what you’re thinking…kids really do NEED that many clothes LOL. BUT, I know that, gratefully, I will have a washer available.

    3 Reasons why YOU need to shop abroad 3

    Now then, I really can pack less, and I bet you can too. If you’re anything like me and don’t need that many outfits, could you then- pack just 3-5 outfits and purchase things as you need them? I don’t know about you, but one of the first things we do, when arriving at another country is finding a shopping center.
    Malls are filled with tons of great info on neighboring areas including recreational activities and so on. I also always find a store within my innate *frugalistic* (I just made that word up haha) budget. So if there ever came a pressing need where you don’t have the proper attire, you can go ahead and shop. But, what if you actually wind up NOT needing any more clothing?! You’ve just saved so much space and weight in your luggage!
    Your welcome. LOL

    #thejoysofpackingyourlifein49pounds

    I love that most of the time; our pieces are unique and hardly ever do we bump into someone with the same exact items!

    And so, here’s why you should pack less & shop abroad / overseas:

    Fashion: OK maybe I’m just a tad bit bias but I love the styles of clothing in Europe…They’re so fetch GREAT! Period. LOL

    Prices: I’ve found that the prices are comparable with what I’d pay in the states in most cases with a few exceptions. [Since now the value of the euro is close to dollars] However, if you find yourself in the UK, manage well since, the pound is stronger than dollars (always double-check this because it fluctuates). ps. a quick & easy way to measure the value of your currency to another- go check the price of a Snickers bar!

    Exclusivity: What I love most is that there are so many stores unique to each country and its loads of fun exploring them! What I also enjoy is finding some of the same store brands but with different styles, you just won’t find in the U.S.!

     

    What are some of your favorite reasons for shopping abroad? (If we even ever need such a reason to shop ; D) Or your favorite stores?!

  • How to stay safe while walking

    Safety Tips When Traveling on Foot

    Walking has always been a reliable source of transportation, but it’s no surprise that in today’s age we opt for the easier (faster) approach of travel. Although vehicles are massively useful tools to get us from point A to point B, recent history indicates a revival of traveling on foot.

    More people are recognizing walking as a healthy, environmentally friendly way to get around and get in touch with their surroundings. Like any form of transportation, traveling on foot doesn’t come without risks, however. It’s important to have the proper knowledge to ensure your safety and not put yourself and others at risk of being harmed. Read on for safety tips when traveling on foot.

    Know Where to Walk

    The best places to walk are well-used hiking trails, such as those that run through parks. On these trails, there is no motor vehicle traffic to worry about. However, it isn’t often that the perfect trail will lead to where we need to go. If you must walk beside a roadway, make sure to stay facing traffic and stay on the same side of the road as oncoming vehicles. This lets you see cars as they are approaching and will give you time to take evasive actions if needed.

    Dress Appropriately

    Making yourself more visible to motorists helps keep you safe while walking near roadways. Make sure you wear brightly colored clothing so drivers are more likely to see you. At night, reflective clothing such as vests or belts makes you easier to avoid in the dark. Also, remember to dress for the weather you will be experiencing on your walk. Wear clothing that is sufficiently warm and pack rain gear if the weather is expected to be rough.

    Know Your Limits

    While walking is relaxing and economical, it can also be exhausting over long distances. If you’re planning a long trip, look for places where you can stop and rest along the way. Also, make sure you always have a bottle of water on hand and take drinks frequently while walking.

    It’s possible to experience dehydration, heat sickness or even a heart attack during a long walk… especially in high heat or humidity. If you’re walking and start to feel ill, it’s probably best to stop, rest, and contact someone that can give you a ride the rest of the way.

    Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

    Not paying attention to your surroundings is just as dangerous while walking as it is while driving. Being distracted while walking can take your attention away from dangers such as traffic or tripping hazards. Refrain from texting or using a mobile device, and keep the volume low if you decide to listen to music.

    Avoid Walking Alone

    Always try to have a partner to walk with. Not only does this make the trip a more enjoyable experience, but it also decreases the risk of being confronted by a potentially dangerous individual. If you’re unable to have someone accompany you during your travels, always tell someone what route you’ll be taking to get there and what time you will be coming back.

    While walking may not be very fast, it’s healthy, environmentally friendly and costs nothing. However, pedestrians are also the most vulnerable travelers on the road. Many of the potential dangers faced while walking can be avoided simply by paying attention to your surroundings, so being mindful of what’s around you goes a long way toward keeping you safe.

    woman walking alone