By now, you have probably read an article or have seen a scientific news report on the benefits of mindfulness practice as a means to reduce the effects of stress and increase overall well-being.  There are so many benefits, and the ripple of those benefits are so far reaching that it seems almost too good to be true.  But it isn’t. Once embraced, individually you will relish in the specific shifts within your own life.

Mindfulness practice does not have to elude you.  There is not a decade long study program to glean those valuable benefits. Although, mindfulness becomes a lifelong practice.

One of the beauties of mindfulness practice is that you have all the gear and accessories you will ever need within the packaging of your mind, body and spirit.  No extra gadgets or outfits to add to your strategically packed luggage.

And as Meeting Planners, with over scheduled days, dealing with jetlag, managing convoluted schedules and being kicked off your intentional routine, mindfulness practice offers a tool to ease the prickly changes to your internal clock and external toxins whether environmental or energetic.

The following tips will help ease the travel stresses and smooth out your days no matter where you find yourself traveling to or from.

Intention:  Your intention is powerful.  Your words are even more powerful and they back your intention. It is your brain’s way of sending a supportive signal for your desired outcome.  Choose your words carefully and make sure they enforce your desired outcome. i.e. 'This is going to be the best trip ever!'

Stillness:  Meditation in small bits throughout the day will change your life!  Yes, if you can add a longer meditation to start your day, then brilliant; but if not, no worries.  Incorporate 10-15 minute guided meditations throughout the day using an APP such as InsightTimer.  The guided meditations help quiet the 'monkey mind'.  That pesky constant chatter that starts to build a to-do list when you start to quiet yourself.  Allow several of these in your daily schedule and you will be a believer by nightfall.

Awareness: Mindfulness in its simplest form is 'Awareness.'  Awareness of your thoughts and actions and the world around you with no judgement of what is good or bad.  It just is.  When you practice awareness, you become in-tune with your inner voice and the outward reality you have created with your inward dialogue. Judgment is a fast track to misery.

Contrast: When something presents that is less than optimal for you, the usual reaction is resistance.  I encourage you to step back and take a breath.  Be the observer in the situation and use contrast as a teacher.  You have been just given a message of what you do not desire in your reality.  Manage it with ease and grace and send a signal that although you can flow through this contrast, it is not what you desire.  Verbally state or write down what you desire to be the norm for you in the situation

Take time to celebrate your small achievements in the practice.  Laugh at yourself.  If you can only quiet your mind and become still for 30 seconds, then Yippee!  You meditated for 30 seconds!

You are in mindfulness practice. Bravo.