Wellness And Self Care Routines for an Enjoyable Trip
Traveling is good for the soul … but it can be hard on a wellness routine. Seasoned travelers aren’t afraid to leave their comfort zones, but in unfamiliar surroundings it can be easy for our carefully cultivated habits of self-care to fall by the wayside.
It’s hard to enjoy a trip if you’re sick, stressed, and in pain. Get in front of it by planning your travel self-care routine before you hit the road. Here’s what to plan for:
-
Hydration
Many adults have a hard enough time staying hydrated when they’re at home. To make matters worse, the low humidity and air pressure of airplanes makes you even more dehydrated. Start by including slim, lightweight individual packets of Pedialyte in your luggage — a packet in your water bottle will keep you hydrated longer.
Keep your water bottle filled, keep water close at hand in your hotel or vacation rental, and ask for a glass of water at every restaurant, cafe, or bar you find yourself in.
- Nutrition
It’s easy to default to pizza and kebabs on the road, but most countries have a rich cuisine. Yes, it may be more carb-heavy or fried than you are used to, but many countries have stricter laws governing food production than the US, so even their carbs and fats are better for you.
Additionally, the local vegetables and fruits are usually excellent. Try to find out what the locals eat. Find local grocery stores and stock up on fruits and nuts. Consider cooking a few meals at home if you have a kitchen in your lodging. You don’t have to be a monk but prioritize your vitamins and minerals at least a little!
- Stretching
Travel can be hard on the body. Making time to stretch can make a world of difference in keeping aches and pains at bay. Consider starting your morning off with a quick stretching or yoga routine. Find a video routine if you don’t have one committed to memory.
- Exercise
Nearly everyone falls off their workout routine on the road. You may think you will track down a gym, but that’s easier said than done. Navigating the local fitness centers may be more time-consuming than it’s worth, especially if you have limited vacation time.
Instead, think about travel-friendly workout routines. You’ll probably be doing a lot of walking, right? For strength training, there’s bodyweight exercises like pushups, squats, sit-ups, and pullups.
- Hygiene
Don’t slack off on hygiene — keep your hands clean and sanitized, and don’t forget to bathe and moisturize. If you’re packing light, you will probably already have significantly limited your toiletries, but if you have a favorite moisturizer, fragrance, shampoo, or retinoid that makes you feel like a million bucks when you apply it, don’t deprive yourself. Bring it! Only you know what makes you feel amazing and proud of yourself.
- Leisure
You don’t want to travel to feel like work. Your Paris isn’t going to be someone else’s Paris. Don’t feel pressured to do what everyone expects you to do when you visit a destination. You’re there for yourself, not anybody else. Think about what you want to do at that destination and do it. Get a massage, take a cold plunge, attend a breathwork workshop, a yoga class, and a dance. It’s your trip, and you don’t owe anyone but yourself … you set the terms!
-
Sleep
It may be tempting to pull multiple all-nighters, especially in a round-the-clock city, but your body will thank you for carving out time to get sleep. Most people need at least 6 hours, and 8 is better. If you’re crossing time zones, think about how long you will be awake before the next bedtime and prepare to adjust to the local sleep cycle and mealtimes. If you get on the clock with your destination, it will open whole worlds for you. Travel is an extraordinary privilege, but wherever you go, there you are. You deserve the same kind of self-care on the road as you give yourself at home. With a little planning and flexibility, you can see the world without skimping on wellness.