5 Ways to Practice Mindfulness at the Beach: OBX Weekend Mindfulness

Life, when you're waiting for that next vacation or break from school, work, and everything else that bogs you down, can get a little overwhelming at times.

Take a moment out of your day and spend a minute or two just breathing with the video above. 

Imagine that you're a wave, crashing onto the shoreline and rolling back into the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Once there, you can build up your strength and face the day once again. Doing this whenever you're anxious throughout the day will help ground you and bring you back to your inner center. Make this your internal place where you can find your breath, find your strength, and embrace whatever the day may bring.

Whether your next Outer Banks vacation is a few hours or a few months away, take a look at our list below of 5 Ways to Practice Mindfulness at the Beach so that you can bring your meditative practice with you wherever you go.

1. Sit and Listen to the Waves

The sound of the waves crashing on the shore is one of the best parts about being at the beach. Whether you're sitting on the sand, on your deck, or walking along the shoreline, take a moment to listen to the crashing of the waves. Clear your mind of your worries and problems. Focus only on the sound of the water connecting with the sand. Take a moment to count the seconds between each crash. Try aligning your breath with their movement. After a few moments of this, you're sure to feel more connected to the earth and at peace with the world around you.

2. Feel the Warmth of the Sun & the Sand in Your Toes

Stop whatever you're doing (chasing the kids, building castles, reading, etc.), close your eyes, and take a moment to just be present, to just be here. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, filling your cells with Vitamin D, and wiggle your toes around in the sand, letting each grain warm you. Take several deep breaths as you simply allow yourself to be where you are focusing on the present. There is no past, there is no future, there is only now. 

3. Smell the Salt Air

The human sense of smell is an important part of memory formation and recalling scents from a time when you were peaceful and happy can go a long way for helping you carry your Outer Banks zen with you wherever you go! When you're playing at the beach, relaxing at your vacation rental, or exploring the sights of the Outer Banks, take a moment to remember the way things smell. Smell the salt on the air and the way it gives each and every breeze and incomparable freshness. Allow the salt air to cleanse your lungs and rejuvinate your spirit while you're here so that you can take those memories with you when you return home.

4. Lay Completely Still & Do a Body Scan

When you get a moment at the beach, while you're relaxing on your beach towel or working on your tan from the comfort of your chair, take a few minutes to close your eyes and really take in your body. Do what's called a body scan while you're relaxing in one of the most peaceful places in the world. Close your eyes and, starting at the very top of your head, check in with your body. See how each part of your body is feeling. Pay attention to what's hurting or what is tense and send a little bit of extra breath and relaxation in that direction. Before you know it, you'll be completely relaxed.

5. Feel Weightless Underwater

Taking a dive in the ocean is not only fun, but it can be really therapeutic when you allow your body to be weightless underwater. Let go of the weight and control of your body and enjoy the sensation of the waves lifting you up and putting you back down on the sand. It may seem like a simple game at first, but really it is so freeing to just feel like, even for a moment, that you are part of the sea.