Your honeymoon is the perfect place to rest, relax, and rejuvenate after the stress of wedding planning. Soak up every moment of newlywed bliss with your spouse by practicing mindfulness throughout your trip.
Mindfulness is the act of living in the present moment, being aware of and acknowledging the here and now. Focusing your mind on your body and breath will ease tension and anxiety as you let go of thoughts from the past and anxiety about the future.
Here are 5 tips to practice mindfulness on your honeymoon:
Unplug
Your honeymoon is a great chance to unplug and focus on your new spouse, and the adventure that surrounds you. Stop scrolling, silence your alerts, and set an out-of-office email reminder so you can ditch the addictive screen and be present. If you think you need your phone and WiFi to get around an exotic destination, think again: you can easily navigate with paper maps, and get recommendations from your resort desk or local shop owners. It is a good idea when traveling to have your phone on you (but powered off) in case of an emergency.
Take a Yoga Class
Scheduling yoga classes during your trip is one great way to meditate your mind and connect your body’s movement to breath. You and your spouse can stretch, sweat, and meditate your minds. Studies have shown that meditation improves anxiety levels 60% of the time.
A couples yoga class can improve your intimacy and relationship satisfaction. Check with your honeymoon resort to see if they have yoga classes onsite or a local studio they recommend. You can also consider booking a yoga retreat for a full yoga and wellness experience.
Learn a New Thing Together
Another great way to be mindful of the present moment while strengthening your bond with your partner is to learn something new together! A cooking class will let you taste local cuisine, connect with your destination’s culture, and build out your recipe book. If cooking isn’t your thing, consider a dancing class, a historic tour, or an art class.
Reconnect with Nature
One great way to bring positive emotions and increase trust, cooperation, and closeness with your partner is to spend time outdoors. Choose a honeymoon destination that offers nature viewing and outdoor recreational activities.
Choosing an island or beach destination lets you take advantage of water sports and other activities such as snorkeling and paddleboarding. If you’d like a more relaxing experience on teh water, book a sunset cruise. Mountainous regions will have scenic hikes and trails to enjoy, and even a metropolitan city stop such as Paris will have plenty of gardens and rooftop views to enjoy.
Write Memories Down
Spend some time each evening writing down memories from the day. You can bring a journal from home or purchase one from a small business when you arrive. Record things you are grateful for and memorable moments from the trip, so you can revisit these for years to come. Journaling can take as little as five to ten minutes, and the memories will last a lifetime.
You can return home invigorated and excited for your newlywed life by practicing mindfulness throughout your trip. If you start to feel rushed or stressed, remind yourself to take a few minutes to breath, look around, and feel gratitude for the wonder around you.
Guest Article by Karlyn McKell