We all need to take time out from our busy schedules to rejuvenate and revitalize. These breaks let us distance ourselves from our daily chores and do the things that make us happy. For many of us, this ‘time out’ goes hand in hand with jet-setting off on a vacation. While this is great for our overall health, it is important to maintain self-care while we are away to get the most out of our much needed break. Here are some ways to take care of yourself when you travel.
Go With The Flow
Travel is many things, including unpredictable at times. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have the ‘perfect trip’ and for everything to be smooth sailing – but some of the best memories are made when things don’t go according to plan! It might rain while you are bike riding through the countryside, and chances are you’ll get lost at least once in a new city. Taking these things in your stride lets you truly enjoy your vacation, because it will be great, if you just let it be.
Fuel Your Body
There is nothing wrong with treating yourself on vacation. Sample the delicious cuisine, order dessert, and have a cocktail by the pool. Enjoy yourself but listen to your body. Swapping your usual dose of fruit and veggies for fried food and cosmopolitans will likely leave you feeling sluggish. Be mindful to also fuel your body with all the goodies that energise you and protect you from ill-health.
Stay Hydrated
Chances are your routine will go straight out the window the moment you leave home with your passport in hand. Without a normal routine, there are some things that tend to slip by the wayside – including drinking enough water. Keeping hydrated is important on vacation, given that you will often spend a lot of time outside (sometimes in a warmer climate) exploring and losing more water than you realise. Carry a reusable bottle with you and be mindful to keep up your water intake.
Keep A Travel Journal
Sometimes vacations are a whirlwind of destinations and it’s easy to lose track of what day it is and overlook those little things that gave you the warm and fuzzies. We often forget to be present and appreciate what we are experiencing – after all, vacations are pretty amazing! Keeping a journal is a great way to reflect on what you are grateful for during your travels – from ticking off a big bucket list highlight to swapping a small smile with a stranger.
Pace Yourself
Keeping active in everyday life is important to look after both body and mind, and this is no different on a vacation. This doesn’t mean spending your vacation sweating it out in the resort gym but incorporating some physical activity into your trip will help you feel energised and ready to take on the world (or at least the pocket of it you are exploring). On the flipside, there can be a lot of incidental exercise when you travel, so you also need to pace yourself and allow time for rest. Let yourself have a sleep in if your body is crying out for it, you won’t miss out on anything. Maybe laze by the pool or treat yourself to a massage. It’s about finding your balance.
Stay Connected
Travelling can give you an unrivalled sense of freedom but can sometimes get pretty lonely, particularly if you are away for a long time. Staying connected to loved ones back home can appease the sense of loneliness so that you can reset and continue to enjoy your time away. While maintaining relationships is important, building new connections while you travel can also play a big part in your self-care. Sharing your experiences will make you feel less isolated, and taking a tour is a sure-fire way to meet new people and surround yourself with kindred spirits.
Be Present
Staying connected to loved ones can help alleviate homesickness in unfamiliar places, but beyond that, you can also find a lot of gratification in switching off. We get it, if you didn’t take (and post) the perfect shot of you holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, were you ever really there? Disconnecting from social media, your emails, and any other distractions can help you really engage in the places you are visiting. Give yourself a break from the digital interruptions of your daily life and be present in your vacation.
Featured image via Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
