Land Snorkeling: A Surprising Self-Care Practice for You & Other Counselors
Something New
If you’re a mental health counselor, you already know how important self-care is. We remind our clients all the time: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” But let’s be real—sometimes our usual strategies like exercise or mindfulness practice need something fresh and new. That’s where something unexpected and surprisingly effective comes in.
It’s called land snorkeling. And no, you don’t need a wetsuit or an ocean nearby.
What Is Land Snorkeling?
Think of snorkeling—but on land. You’re moving slowly through a natural space like a park, a trail, or even your own backyard, paying close attention to the world around you. You’re not trying to get anywhere or hit a step goal. You’re simply noticing. The color of the leaves. The feel of the breeze. Sunlight.
Some people wear hats and sunglasses—not because they have to, but because it helps block out distractions and creates a kind of tunnel vision that invites presence. It’s unusual. It’s weird. And it works.
Why It Works (Especially for Counselors)
Counseling is deep work. Most of us are operating in a constant state of attunement—tracking emotions, listening closely, holding space. That level of presence, while beautiful, is also draining. It can leave you feeling mentally cluttered, emotionally fatigued, and physically tense.
Land snorkeling offers a different kind of reset. It’s mindfulness in motion—no pressure, no formal structure. You don’t have to sit in silence or clear your mind. You just walk and notice. And in that noticing, something shifts. Your breathing slows. Your thoughts settle. The world around you starts to feel alive again.
“Land Snorkeling in Florida! It is an active mindfulness practice.”
And maybe most importantly? You start to feel alive again, too. The sense of awe—the quiet kind that sneaks up on you when you realize how much beauty you’ve been rushing past—is incredibly healing. It reconnects you with your own humanity, which is something we can lose touch with when we’re always tuned in to someone else’s pain.
How to Try It
Pick a spot in nature—a walking trail, garden, or quiet park.
Walk slowly. Really slowly. Pretend you’re exploring a world you’ve never seen before.
Don’t talk. Don’t listen to anything. Just let yourself be quiet and curious.
Notice with all your senses—what you see, hear, feel, and even smell.
Start with 15–30 minutes. That’s often enough to feel a genuine shift.
Optional (but fun): wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to create your own little bubble of focus.
Final Thought
Land snorkeling may sound a little silly at first—but don’t let that fool you. For counselors who carry so much for others, it offers a grounded, creative, and peaceful way to reconnect with yourself. If you’ve been feeling the mental fog or emotional heaviness that often comes with this work, give it a try. You might be surprised how something so simple can bring so much clarity. — Take care of yourself out there. You do important work—but you matter, too.
