Finding yourself looking for a change in your routine? Then it may be time for a bit of relaxation and soul-searching. Time away from the hustle and bustle may just be the restful retreat you need.

With the responsibilities that come with adulthood, it can be tough to find moments of peace to reflect and better discover your true self. The best way you can set a new direction for your routine is by pausing with a perfect island retreat. You’ll reap all the mental health and physical wellness benefits of a tropical getaway while adopting new ways to live a gentler lifestyle when you return home, too.

Looking for helpful ways to pursue a soul-searching journey in this island paradise? Learn how to plan your restful trip out with the help of this guide by Alta Vista de Boracay.

Photo courtesy of Alta Vista De Boracay via Facebook

Struggling with self-discovery and mental health

When cultivating peace of mind, self-discovery, and a healthy work-life balance, you need to intentionally set aside time for things like self-reflection and meditation. But it can be a struggle to set aside time for these things, and the inability to do so can negatively affect our mental health and physical well-being.

Obstacles in the way of inner peace

Here are some major factors that get in the way of our capacity for soul-searching and reflection in our daily lives:

Societal belief in “the grind” - A non-stop “hustle and grind” mindset that tells society to work people to the bone is a major obstacle in the way of cultivating a healthy work-life balance, which should include time for self-examination.
An overstimulating urban lifestyle - There are tons of great reasons to reside in an urban landscape, but living in a city impacts mental health negatively as well. It can be incredibly overstimulating to live a purely urban lifestyle - thus the need for intentional time and space away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Lack of space for introspection - Your home and office spaces may be set up for work and productivity, but not for proper introspection. You need a proper space for meditation, near tranquil nature locations like forests or beaches.

Self-reflection can be a powerful tool for your personal growth and development, so it’s crucial that you cultivate space for this kind of introspection and emotional clarity. You need to set aside time away from your fast-paced lifestyle and plan slow travel in places like Boracay to ensure a healthy and holistic self-discovery journey.

Photo courtesy of Ramon Kagie via Unsplash

Boracay as a slow travel haven

While this incredibly popular island is most known for its parties and tourists, there are also tons of ways it can serve as a slow travel haven. Here are ways that Boracay can be perfect for some grounded and intentional me-time during a trip:

The island’s natural healing elements - The island is rich in calming landscapes: quiet sunrise beaches, gentle inland trails, and dense tropical greenery create a serene atmosphere, offering a sense of peace and renewal..
The gentle pace of local life - The culture among locals is pretty relaxed when you intentionally steer away from the island’s bustling nightlife. You can explore de-stressing activities like swimming, going on walks, and eating at local restaurants for a slower lifestyle overall.
The privacy offered by inland hotels - When you avoid busy places like Station 2 and go for more private and remote hotels across the island, you’ll get calmer and more relaxed environments that are ideal for the internal work you want to do for your growth and self-discovery.

Embark on a successful journey towards reflection and growth at this idyllic paradise when you know key facts like the best times to go to Boracay, the most relaxing things to do while you’re there, and more. Check out the next section for all the best tips to plan your perfect soul-searching vacation.

Photo courtesy of Alta Vista De Boracay via Facebook

Starting your soul-searching journey in Boracay

Here are a few useful tips to start your meditative journey at this island paradise, and some more helpful advice on how to sustain the slow travel lifestyle long after you leave.

1. Learn more about the island’s tranquil environment

Your environment affects your mental health by influencing how you feel and how you act daily. By placing yourself in an environment with warm sunlight, peace and quiet, and a fresh sea breeze, you’ll have better opportunities for mindfulness, self-reflection, and impactful changes overall.

These gentle environmental factors are just some of the things you can expect when traveling to Boracay, especially when booking stays at some of the quieter parts of the island. Private villas and boutique inland accommodations can offer a more immersive, distraction-free experience compared to beachfront hotels, leading to more time and energy for meditative activities like journaling, quiet walks, free dives, yoga, and the like.

Photo courtesy of Alta Vista De Boracay

2. Plan where to stay in Boracay ahead of time

Knowing where to stay in Boracay ahead of time can significantly ease your stress and help you plan out more peaceful activities throughout your trip. Here are a few action steps you can take to prepare for your stay properly:

Pre-trip preparations:
Specialized packing list - Aside from knowing the basics of what to pack for an out-of-town trip, think of the things you’ll want (or not want) to bring for a reflective vacation. These can include things such as a personal journal or self-help books, and can exclude things like your laptop or other work-related electronics.
Setting intentions - Before your vacation, consider setting intentions for yourself so that you know why you’re doing this in the first place. Think of what your mental health needs are, so that you can take steps to achieve them while you’re on your island trip.
Choosing the right stay:
Private inland hotels - These kinds of Boracay hotels can be more conducive to the inner work you seek, offering tons of green spaces, peace, and curated experiences like spa services, in-hotel restaurants, and more.
What to look for - Hotels like Alta Vista De Boracay often come with the best spaces possible for self-reflection. When it comes to the rooms at Alta Vista, make sure to look for open and airy room design, lots of privacy, and access to gorgeous garden trails for a better environment for contemplation.
Trip rituals and practices:
Individual meditative activities - Start small by spending your mornings journaling or quietly meditating. Consider doing these activities by the shore or in garden courtyards offered by your hotel’s facilities for a perfectly serene environment.
Slow-but-steady physical exercise - Go on silent walks on the beach or hikes at nearby mountains for meditative physical exercise. Explore local classes that help foster presence and being in the moment, like yoga or free-diving.

Photo courtesy of Alta Vista De Boracay

3. Sustain the digital detox routine post-vacation

You’ve planned out a vacation that allows you to step away from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine. How might you sustain this kind of well-balanced lifestyle after your trip is done? Here are some tips to carry the island’s sense of peace back home for even more meditations in the future:

Setting simple rituals - Whatever rituals you enjoyed doing during your island stay, consider building them into your daily routine. These can include easy habits like rising with the morning sun, doing “device-free” evenings, regularly journaling things you’re grateful for, and more.
Creating your own "island moments" - Transform your home into a tropical paradise with interior design ideas that foster your own “island moments.” Display pictures of your trip around your home, bring out your comfiest beddings or blankets, and create a generally inviting space to foster a sense of rest within your home.
Taking things one small step at a time - Inner work and personal transformation shouldn’t require extreme changes to your daily life. You just need a conducive home environment, some time for stillness, and intentional goal-setting to be able to reconnect, realign, and rediscover your new self.

Whether you’re visiting the island for a short vacation or staying as a digital nomad for a longer period, you should always have an environment for self-discovery and reflection. Remember to make space for contemplation and meditation when you return home to ensure a healthy and balanced mind, perfect for sustaining your personal growth in the long run.

Photo courtesy of RJ Baculo via Unsplash

Work-life balance in a tropical paradise

Take the first step toward self-discovery by embarking on a peaceful retreat at this island paradise. Bring these final reminders away with you for the best soul-searching journey:

Remember the importance of introspection. When it comes to your personal growth, contemplation is an important habit to enact - and you can enjoy the benefits of self-reflection the most when you do it in an environment like Boracay.
Go for quiet environments to foster a meditative mindset - The quiet offered by inland Boracay hotels can make your self-discovery journey a lot more relaxed and fulfilling, so consider booking these types of stays for a more wellness-minded environment overall.
Don’t be afraid to plan your vacation right away. With Alta Vista’s summer deals, you can enjoy a transformative experience without breaking the bank for an even better beach escape.

Want to learn more about Alta Vista to see what it has to offer for your reflective vacation? Contact us via our official website, or visit us on Facebook and Instagram for more up-to-date booking information.

How to Find Boracay Hotels Perfect for Soul-Searching