This post first appeared on Piping Rock. All content is theirs.

For when your delayed flight makes you stir crazy.

The last few times some of us at Piping Rock have traveled, we've been greeted with worst case scenarios. For instance, booking a hotel only to arrive and find out the reservation wasn't processed. The result? No place to stay in a foreign city. Or, being excited to board a flight on time only to be met with an hour delay...while on the runway. Not ideal situations. 

So, how do we keep our cool under times of stress and dissatisfaction? A quick meditation. 

If you're not someone who regularly practices meditation, that's completely okay. While daily practice has been linked to beneficial impacts, just taking time away from a stressful situation can momentarily help you. That, to us, is enticing enough. 

Since you'll be amid traveling, chances are there isn't a "quiet" place for you to escape to. You'll either be in the airport, in a city, or even on a plane. That's fine; it doesn't matter where you if you clear your head and focus on your breath work. 

To help guide you through any of the three situations above, we've made a handy list of site-specific meditations. We hope this will allow you to clear your mind, and release tension from your body on your next vacation/travel mishap!

Start To Meditate While Traveling:

At The Airport

In the event you have a layover or a delayed flight, this is the meditation for you:

• First, put in headphones, you'll need them to buffer out the sounds.
• Next, pick a point of focus. We recommend using a sign on a wall, or just a wall. 
• Start by concentrating on the wall or sign, and breathe in, out.
• Do this for 10 minutes, always focusing on your breath. 

You can opt to close your eyes if keeping them open isn't for you. We choose to keep them open so we're aware of our surroundings. 

In The City

Things not going as planned? Take a 5-minute breather with this meditation. 

• First, find a quiet place in the city -- ideally a park or rest area. 
• Second, listen to the noises around you. Focus in on every small detail to ground yourself in the present. 
• Lastly, breath in and out slowly as you do this to become more mindful and less stressed.

On A Plane

There's nothing worse than being delayed while in-flight or being next to a less-than-considerate fellow passenger. To ease up tensions, try this meditation. 

• Close your eyes and feel your breath. Do 2-3 inhales/exhales to get accustomed to it.
• Next, you'll want to repeat the following from this in-flight mindfulness article from mindfulminutes.com:
  • Inhale, silently saying the words “I am safe.”
  • Exhale, silently saying the words, ” I am calm.”
  • Inhale, silently saying the words, “I am happy.”
  • Exhale, silently saying the words, “I am at ease."
• Let yourself calm down and clear out your tense mindset.

The best way to help boost any of these meditative practices is with a bit of aromatherapy. At least, it's what helps us get through uneasy times. Our Essential Oil Roll-Ons make the best travel companions. They're easy-to-pack and provide an instant form of scent relaxation. We love the Lavender Essential Oil Roll-on since it's like a mini spa.