It’s no secret that travel stress is higher than ever, with increased uncertainty and changing policies and procedures. And yet getting away is often deeply restorative, even transformational. A powerful key to ensure your upcoming trips add to your emotional well-being is to incorporate self-care into the experience. This can often be accomplished in simple ways that can become a regular part of your travel habits moving forward.
As a professional travel writer for 20 years, here are my top 10 tips for self-care when you’re away from home:
Don’t over schedule – If you have a lot of curiosity to experience your destination, it’s tempting to pack your days full of activities. And while that may be the right choice for you, the majority of us have energy levels that are highest at a certain time of day or maybe ebb and flow. By focusing on one or two main activities per day and scheduling them at your freshest time, you’ll be working with your natural biological rhythm, not against it. This will lead to a more comfortable routine and in the end you may wind up experiencing more, because you’ll be able to be fully present for everything you do. An added benefit of keeping some time open is that it allows you to go back to that incredible restaurant or shop instead of regretfully putting it on the list for next time.
Travel light – There’s a story that when when Jacqueline Kennedy heard that it was the custom in China for elderly women to carry visitors’ luggage she ditched her massive wardrobe and only brought the bare minimum. Being able to manage your own luggage, if you choose, is a luxurious travel hack because it frees up so much time moving from place to place, as well as unpacking and sifting through items throughout your trip. There’s nothing luxurious about feeling burdened by stuff. That’s why those who travel the most have often strategically streamlined each thing they bring with them. It takes some careful thought ahead of time, but the rewards are well worth it. Whenever I unpack after a trip I take note of anything I didn’t use so that I don’t make the same mistake in the future.
Two is one, one is none – This military expression goes directly against my previous tip but it’s still important. Think about how it would impact your trip if you found yourself without a crucial item like your phone charger, contact lenses, medication or keys. Accidents and mishaps happen so it’s soothing to always carry a backup for those important things if you can. This habit can be a massive stress eliminator and can turn a potential disaster into a total non-issue.
Do a digital preview – Some people prefer to hop on a plane and just wing it, but taking some time to explore your destination virtually can minimize hassles and needless confusion. Only by visiting hotel, restaurant and other websites will you learn about issues that can impact your experience like loud renovation projects or an unwelcome change in management. I get pretty granular on this, pulling up maps, menus and reviews. Often a place that you expect to be the most fun or exciting turns out to be a dud and it’s better to learn from others’ experience so that you skip it and find something better. Your goal is to experience feelings of peace and ease from start to finish of your journey.
Incorporate wellness activities – Wellness travel is bigger than ever, as people seek to immerse themselves in yoga retreats, weight loss spas and other body-centric experiences. But even if your trip is not wellness-related, you can always schedule an evening massage or visit a nearby spa for a relaxing treatment that they’re particularly known for. Travel can be hard on the body so taking some time to show yours extra care is an investment that can pay dividends over the course of your trip. High end hotels often have these services on-site and make it very easy for their guests to enjoy them, but don’t rule out going beyond the hotel spa or gym so that you can better get a sense of the local scene and more unique offerings. Something like a Korean scrub that might not be available where you live can greatly energize you and might even become the highlight of your entire trip.
Stick to your preferred eating schedules and routines – It’s fun to indulge when you travel and experience a wider variety of cuisines, but you also must keep in mind how you’ll feel when you arrive home. So many of us have adopted unique ways of eating that work best with our bodies, be it intermittent fasting, One Meal A Day or saving up the day’s calories for a long, extended late dinner. In general, accommodating the practices that your body is already used to will allow you to function better no matter where you are. Naturally you can explore novel dishes and beverages as much as you wish, but you are likely to find you feel better when doing it within the habits your body generally prefers.
Indulge in your everyday carry – Everyday carry is a term from the self-defense community that refers to the self-protective items one has on their person whenever they leave the house. For luxury travel, these items instead are your phone, wallet or cardholder, sunglasses, reading glasses and anything else you’re going to bring with you each day as you explore your destination. Giving careful thought to these items and upgrading them is a valuable self-care tip because these are the things you’ll use the most. Ensuring that they are well crafted, durable and express your style means that they will give you daily pleasure. For females, the right day bag can mean the difference between a smooth day and a frustrating one. It’s a personal preference of course, but I tend to prefer a crossbody bag so that I can keep both arms free. Currently small bags are trendy but I prefer a roomy one that can hold all my essentials as well as snacks. It’s a great pleasure to have the perfect travel items and I’d even include shoes in this category as sore tired feet can disrupt a trip fairly quickly.
Turn off your phone – Of course this tip does not apply to everyone, but one of the great benefits of luxury travel is being far removed from your usual daily concerns. If you refuse to disconnect from your phone and its steady influx of emails and messages, you are denying yourself the peace that comes from taking a break. There’s something about being 30,000 feet up in the air or 5,000 miles from home that provides you with a completely fresh perspective on your challenges and relationships. When I travel I find simple ways to keep in touch but most of my attention and energy go to experiencing where I am. The stories, energy and insights I come home with well worth the momentary distance.
Go for nature – With a greater focus on health now more than ever, more people are realizing the massive benefits of being in nature. You don’t need to go camping either. Simply looking up at the stars, sitting out in the sun or going to a local park or forest and taking a walk can improve your mood and equanimity. So often travel focuses on what’s inside buildings, but there’s so much in the outdoors to explore and appreciate as well. You may notice that you feel a lot better when you include outdoor time each day you’re away.
Let them serve you – In the luxury travel sector, those who work in hospitality often take genuine pride in making their guests feel happy and welcome. The best hoteliers and restaurateurs love to surprise and delight their customers, who often wind up becoming dear friends. Nowhere is it taught how to be a great guest, but those skills are lifelong and they center around a practice of being thoughtful and appreciative. If the hotel has provided something special in your room, be sure to let them know how much you enjoyed it. When I’m at a great restaurant I may ask what the chef is currently working on or particularly interested in and I might request that, even if it is not on the menu. Taking it a step further and putting your dining experience into the hands of a talented chef, bartender of sommelier sets the stage for a delightful and memorable evening.
In short, removing stress, removing unknowns and building in soothing activities are the best ways to practice self-care when traveling. Not only will they allow you to be deliberate and present and therefore fully enjoy your trips but they’ll also uplift others along the way.
Barbara Wayman is the author of Living An Extraordinary Life: 9 Transformational Strategies to Live Your Best Life Now.
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