Do you practice self-care while traveling?
Why does self-care even matter? What are the practices we can do to implement self-care while traveling?
Self-care is more than just spa days, yoga, or scented candles. Self-care is a total experience wherein we take care of our mind, body, emotions, and soul. It is important to implement in our everyday life. More importantly, it is important to have self-care practices while traveling.
This article shares our top tips to practice self-care while traveling. Let’s dive in.
Why is Self-Care Essential When Traveling?
You may not always think about practicing self-care while traveling. After all, you may think that traveling in itself is already a form of self-care because it’s a way to escape the normal day-to-day hustle and grind. It’s a way to destress and escape work and life.
While that is essentially true, it’s still important to prioritize and maintain self-care practices while on the go.
In reality, traveling is not always sunshine and rainbows. Traveling can sometimes be stressful and tiring for the mind and body. Most especially if the type of travel you are on is for business or work.
But even during a road trip or out-of-town trip with your friends and family, you may sometimes forget to prioritize your self-care and wellbeing. This is most likely because of adrenaline from the new sights, sounds, and experiences.
We’re not saying that having adventure-packed travels is a bad thing. But anything in excess is not good. So, here are our top tips to maintain self-care while traveling. Whether that’s on a business trip, adventure trip, or just a relaxing night out.
Besides, you’ll want to be in top shape in order to really enjoy your travel fully and make lasting memories that you can cherish forever.
Related article: Wellness Travel Trends in 2021
HowYou Can Practice Self-Care While Traveling
Below are our top tips that you can easily incorporate into your travel itinerary to make sure you are prioritizing your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Make Sure to Plan Your Self-Care in Advance
This is the same as planning your self-care into your everyday routine. You also need to plan your self-care when you travel by adding it to your itinerary.
When you have your self-care written down and included in your plan, you’re more likely to follow it than if it was just in your head. Writing things down makes you commit to it even more.
So, when planning your travel itinerary here are some suggestions to make sure you are including self-care in the list:
- Look for a relaxing destination for some quiet time during your trip
- Try a spa center, fitness center, or a walk in nature
- If there are available yoga classes or fun wellness activities in the area, add this to your list of things to do.
- Try spending a quiet day at the beach.
Self-care looks different for each person and how one might find an activity relaxing may not be the same for another person. So, find what works for you.
Sleep well
When we travel, it can be tempting to stay out until late and get up early to make the most of the limited days of your vacation. But skipping on sleep is the worst thing to do when traveling.
Getting enough sleep is essential for our body to be at peak performance. This is most especially important during travel. So one of the key things to consider when prioritizing your self-care while traveling is getting enough shut-eye.
Additionally, it may be difficult getting quality sleep while traveling as we may need to be getting some shuteye while in the car, on the bus, or on the plane. Prepare an eye mask, earplugs, a pillow, and blanket to make yourself as comfy as possible when traveling.
Establish a Morning Routine
This may not be on your list when it comes to practicing self-care while traveling just because traveling is a way to escape your usual routine. But having a healthy morning routine is essential whether you are traveling or not.
What’s important is that you create a routine that works for you.
Add some time in the morning to quietly wake up, meditate, have a proper breakfast, and add some movement into your day. This will set you up for your whole day’s itinerary. By having a solid morning routine, you have the energy to take on anything during the day, whether that’s diving, surfing, climbing a mountain, or visiting scenic spots.
Here’s a great resource by Mel Robbins on how to win your mornings.
Stay Hyrdrated While Traveling
Traveling, especially in hot and humid places can deplete our bodies of water making us dehydrated. But sometimes we don’t notice this.
This is why it’s good to always bring a bottle of water around. Make sure to sip on it every few hours.
Aside from drinking plenty of water throughout the day, going for a swim is another great way to reset the body. Going to the beach or a pool helps lower our stress and lets our mind and body relax. It’s an instant reset button from a tiring day.
Take a walk for Self-care While Traveling
When we are traveling, most likely we’ll be moving and walking a lot. Especially if the vacation involves walking to different scenic spots. Walking in nature or outdoors is a great way to practice self-care while traveling.
Explore the city or area on foot. You’ll get a lot of steps in and experience the local culture even better.
Don’t Be Afraid to Do Nothing
In today’s world where we are all constantly on a go, doing nothing may feel like you are wasting time. Additionally, when on a vacation or traveling, we often feel like we have to pack our schedules with activity after activity in order to get the most out of the day.
But adding in some time to do nothing makes us appreciate our travel experience even deeper. Ultimately, doing nothing is a great way to re-set and reconnect with oneself. The best self-care you can give your body.
Learn to Say No
Exploring the world brings about so many opportunities. We get to see new sights. Hear new sounds. Taste new food. Meet new people. Experience new things.
It’s tempting to say “yes” to every opportunity that comes our way while traveling. But remember, it’s okay to say no.
Saying yes to every adventure, activity, or experience only depletes us of our energy. By being selective about what you say yes to, you are saying yes to your self-care.
Nourish Your Body for Self-Care While Traveling
In addition to getting enough sleep, hydrating, and adding movement to your day, nourishing the body through healthy food, proper skincare, and detoxing is also another way to prioritize self-care during travels.
It can be tempting to buy fast food while on that go, but make sure to set some time to eat a proper and healthy meal. After all, a big chunk of your new experiences in a foreign place will be the food.
Try out new food but also taking into consideration to choose the healthier options.
Practice a Digital Detox for Self-Care While Traveling
It can be tempting to take photos and videos, post them online, update your friends and family on your safety while traveling. While that’s all well and good, make sure to add in some time to disconnect from your phone, social media, and technology.
Enjoy the view, the smell, the sights, and the sounds. Our tip is to start the day without any gadgets or social media. Additionally, ending the day with a digital detox is another great form of self-care while traveling.
When you put down your phone for a few hours a day, you’ll be more present, more mindful, and you’ll be able to enjoy the experience much better.
Let Go of Expectations
Remember that it’s okay to have a plan and an itinerary but make sure not to set expectations when traveling. When you let go of expectations of what you think is supposed to happen or what you are supposed to experience, you get to enjoy your travel much better.
Slow down
Most people come back from a vacation and say that need another vacation from their vacation. This is because their itinerary was so jam-packed that it literally exhausting.
Travel can get busy and stressful. This is why it’s important to take things slow. Don’t try to fit a hundred items on your itinerary. Instead of feeling refreshed from your vacation, you’ll end up needing another vacation to recover from the first one.
Travel with Self-Care Essentials
Another great idea to prioritize your self-care while traveling is by bringing some self-care essentials. By having them on hand, you’ll more likely take the time to do these self-care activities.
We don’t suggest bringing your dumbells or heavy gym equipment while traveling. You can bring small travel-friendly items to help you prioritize self-care.
Here are some things to consider packing for your self-care travel needs:
- Earplugs or earphones
- Eye mask for a better night’s sleep
- Travel pillow
- Blanket
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Yoga mat
- Essential oils
- A Journal
- A good book
Self-Care is Essential While Traveling
We hope these tips were helpful. Remember, self-care is essential and the more you take the time to care for your well-being the more you’ll be able to fully enjoy your travel experience.