Eco-Travel is Hot, Sustainable and Oh So Good for Mindfulness

Presented by BetterHelp.

If you ask someone walking down the street whether or not sustainability is important, recent events and increasing awareness would likely prompt them to say a resounding “yes.” Although it can be difficult to know where to start to improve your carbon footprint and improve your sustainability efforts, one simple way to improve your footprint is to engage in eco-travel, or sustainable travel practices. Eco-travel is increasingly popular, champions sustainability, and may offer greater benefits than standard trips and vacations. To understand the mechanisms of eco travel’s effect on health and well-being, it is vital to recognize the ins and outs of eco travel. 

What Is Eco-Travel? 

Eco travel (also called “green travel”) is a type of traveling that places sustainability practices at the forefront of planning and carrying out the vacation in question. Eco travel or eco tourism also focus on selecting sites that are, themselves, devoted to environmental responsibility or sustainability. Eco travel can be completed by a specific type of travel agent or a site designed to create these types of vacations, can be sought out via an inclusive retreat, or can be developed by an individual entirely on their own. 

Eco-Travel and Sustainability

The primary focal point of eco travel is sustainability, or traveling, living, and moving in a way that takes the health of the planet into account, and does not overtax resources. Eco travel is multifaceted and includes several different components. These components typically include all of the following: 

• Environmentally healthy locations. Because eco travel focuses on sustainability and planetary health, areas known to exploit natural resources and bathe in excess are typically avoided. Many cities are not considered ideal destinations in eco travel, and people may opt for areas that either have a nationally strong tie to the land, or a specific town, city, or part of the country that encourages responsible land use and healthy environmental practices. 
• Sustainable lifestyle practices. From responsible shower and toilet fixtures to adhering to eco-friendly building practices, eco travel allows people to travel while minimizing their impact on the local ecosystem. Eco travel may involve staying in smaller places, with fewer amenities and luxuries than standard travel, or it may involve more adventure, involving erecting your own place to stay and essentially camping for the duration of your stay. 
• Focus on local impact. Eco travel focuses less on bringing in objects and attractions from outside areas, and instead focuses on allowing locals to shine. Local eateries, local businesses, and local sights are all preferred during ecotourism vacations, because each of these allows people to minimize their impact. 

Eco-Travel and Mindfulness

Eco travel frequently also involves mindfulness, because the goal of this type of travel is to remain mindful of the environment and the local ecosystem and community you are visiting. Plenty of eco tourism destinations involve mindfulness directly, as is the case with many wellness retreats held in remote locations, but eco travel as a whole is often considered an exercise in mindfulness. By remaining mindful of your environmental impact—the food and water you are consuming, the resources you are utilizing during your day, and the manner in which you are traveling from place to place—you are actively practicing mindfulness while you visit a new place. 

Getting Started on Your Own Eco-Travel Dream

If you are unfamiliar with a mindfulness practice as a whole, that can be a great place to start. The therapists working through BetterHelp can help you get started on mindfulness, in order to make sure you are clear in your goals for your next ecotourism area, and to find the location and format that is right for you. People who prefer less structured vacations can do the research themselves to find locations to visit, such as Ecuador. Those who enjoy rigid structure or at least a basic framework within which to work may enjoy seeking out a retreat or outdoor group. No matter the exact manner in which you embark upon your ecotourism adventure, remember that ecotourism is not only incredibly popular right now, but is also an excellent way to minimize your footprint without foregoing the things you love and to live intentionally and mindfully. 

Featured Photo by Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash