Interested in self-care habits to try while traveling? Here are 9 tips that will keep you refreshed and ready to enjoy your next travel experience.
This post will highlight 9 ways to help you feel your best and at ease while you’re away from home. Let’s not overcomplicate taking care of ourselves. These practices are things I have done on my travels locally and around the world and they have allowed me to recenter myself and be more aware of my needs.
They are not complicated, they won’t break the bank and they are easy to implement. These 9 tips can help you feel grounded, look your best and fuel your imagination so you return home your best self.
This post is about self-care habits to try while traveling.
This post is about Self-Care Habits
It’s the worst feeling when you go on a trip, expecting to feel renewed yet, you return feeling more stressed than before you left. You think just keeping yourself busy will give you the fulfillment you’re looking for, but, the anxiousness won’t go away!
I’ve learned and am still learning that self-care works well when you tap into what your mind and body need and honor that. That could look like going to the spa or drinking water because you’re dehydrated. Or allowing yourself to indulge in good food because you’ve been overly restrictive with your diet.
From my travel experiences, I can pinpoint moments where I felt my best and it was a mix of doing the travel things and most times doing simple small actions that allow me to process my feelings and stay grounded in the moment.
Try these 9 easy self-care tips that will help you to leave your trip feeling like a new woman!
1. Sit Down Awhile
I know that when traveling, it’s easy to be on the go, all the time. But can I say, some of the most beautiful moments I’ve had and deeply remembered were sitting on a bench, people watching, and embracing the culture around me?
I remember vividly in both London and Paris, picking a bench in the park and just being. Something about watching people walk by, and not feeling pressured to do something now gave me the opportunity to embrace gratitude and value the moment. 10/10 would highly recommend it. Take some time as you travel to sit at a nice bench, with a beautiful view, and just take it all in.
Remove the expectations in those moments of what you think needs to happen, and just enjoy simply existing.
2. Rest
Sometimes the best self-care habit you can have is just to do nothing. Don’t plan anything, don’t fill up your itinerary, just DO NOTHING, for the whole day if possible. Travel can be a way to escape the hustle of our daily lives, but we end up hustling even on our vacations. I gotta see this! Oh If I don’t come here was this trip actually successful? By doing a day of lounging in a new environment with no expectations, you can restore the peace you’ve been looking for.
When I came back from Amsterdam to London, the following day I was scheduled to go to Paris. I legit couldn’t muster the strength to plan anything. If I forced myself to go out because “I’m in London” I would have compromised my peace of mind (gone mad). I listened to my body and decided to lounge in my hotel room for hours. I watched youtube all day then walked to the nearest cafe to get some dessert.
No plan, no expectations. It was such a refreshing moment and gave me enough energy to continue my trip.
3. Read a Delicious Book
If you’re going to be gone for a long, reading a lovely book while you travel can make the experience and book much more satisfying. If you write in your books like me, write the insights and thoughts you get as you enjoy your new surroundings. It’s such a refreshing activity that get’s you off your phone and allows your mind and eyes to rest.
When I was i the UK for a month, I would take the tube sometimes up to 2+ hours a day. I didn’t have wifi, so I would pop open my book and just read. I probably finished the whole book just on the tube! It made such a sweet memory and allowed me to decompress as I was constantly moving from one part of town to the next.
Some books I’ve taken on my travels are:
4. Do Your Skincare
Skincare can be used to get your day started or wind down a day of fun. Whether you’re going away for a day or 3 months, pack all your skincare essentials so you can maintain a routine and feel your best with what you know works.
From my experience (this could just be me) because of the change of environment and the constant moving, my skin began to break out. So much so that the effects lasted for over 6 months! I remember storming into a body shop in London looking for any face mask and scrub I could find to help reduce the dryness and dullness of my skin.
[RELATED POST: Stress-Free 5-Day Solo Travel to Amsterdam Guide]
I learned that I needed to have some skincare goodies on me that were essential to my self-care habits. Some products I pack when traveling:
- Face scrub
- Moisturizer- I use The Ordinary’s
- I also pair hyaluronic acid for extra moisture
- Pack that sunscreen girl, don’t play!
- Niacinamide(this was the game changer that started getting rid of the never-ending pimples and blackheads I got from my trip)
- Salicylic Acid- get’s your pimples under control
- Face Soap- Cos Rx Low Ph Morning Cleanser
5. Drink Water
Drinking your water is one of the easiest ways to care for yourself while traveling, especially in warm climates. It can be hard, but if you keep water front of mind, it can become a self-care habit that keeps you energized.
You could be feeling crappy on your trip and not understand why. You’re having fun. You’re doing all eh things you wanted to do but still, your energy is low. Is it possible you’re dehydrated?
One way to drink more water is to bring a water bottle with you. I love those water bottles that keep your liquids hot or cold for a long period of time. I use a 32 oz hydrapeak bottle that I bring everywhere with me. I’ve had It for over a year and I have no regrets!
If lugging around a water bottle feels inconvenient, you could get a designated water bottle for the day and measure how many times you fill it up. Make it a game! When you leave a restaurant or resting place fill it up before you go on to the next thing.
6. Journal
There is something so rejuvenating about taking yourself out of your environment and going somewhere completely new. This alone can give you all the clarity you need to make your next decision or language to those complex feelings. For this self-care habit, indulge in a good journaling session while on your trip. Go in with no expectations and just allow the pen to flow.
Don’t overcomplicate it. Even if it’s for 5 minutes or 2 hours, processing what you’re thinking by putting pen to paper can be just what you need to feel renewed.
Try journaling as the sun begins to rise, or as you’re lounging on the beach, eating at a restaurant, in your hotel bed, or as simple as on a park bench.
7. Sightseeing
Self-care habits can also be outside of your own head. Going sightseeing and beholding beauty can be just the thing you need to feel equipped and ready to take on the day and be grateful for where you are.
Go on a nice walking tour to explore nature, visit a museum or gallery of your favorite artist, go to a new part of town, and just take in what you see. Seeing something new can ignite your imagination and allow you to dream and envision that more is possible.
8. Eat
Who would I be without mentioning food? I travel FOR food. So baby girl, eat the food that brings you joy. Has there been a dish you’ve seen all over IG that you must try? Then do it. Someone invites you over for a home-cooked meal, then dig in! Good food can really be healing to the soul, so eat well while you travel.
With that being said, if you’re traveling for a longer period of time, sometimes eating non-nutritionally dense food for longer periods of time can get old, so balance it out. Maybe you eat “better” for breakfast and lunch and then go all in for dinner. Or, have a snack that has fruit and or veggies to space out your meals.
Listen to your body and fuel it accordingly.
8. Plan, But Plan Loosely
You didn’t expect this one did ya? Depending on the type of trip you’re on this could be a great habit to keep in mind just to get yourself in order. For example, knowing which train to take ahead in order to get to your tour on time or having a loose itinerary that adds some structure to your day while allowing for spontaneity. Some anxiety can creep in on a trip when you have no idea what you’re doing and you have no idea what’s next (unless that’s the thrill of the hunt for you).
If you know you’re the type that needs structure-ish, work within your limits, and make a plan that can help give order in your days but is open to changes.
[RELATED POST: An Insanely Delicious Easy Recipe For Dinner: Simple Butter-Roasted Salmon]
I went to a podcasting event in London and planned on going back to my hotel to relax and work on a presentation by a specific time. After networking with one of the attendees, she told me she had an extra ticket to an event later on that night, which happened to be the British podcasting awards!
As a podcaster, I was so excited to meet new people, eat delicious food, and drink cute cocktails. It was something I never expected would happen that day, but being flexible allowed me to experience something I didn’t even know existed.
9. Disconnect From Social Media
Ooof, I know this one is a tough one but it’s one worth mentioning. This self-care habit while traveling will honestly just help you to be present and really create an experience that you want, rather than traveling for the gram. Sometimes we travel to let others know that we have a “life” but don’t end up enjoying the trip because we were on our phones the whole time.
Maybe for your next trip, disconnect. Take pictures because you want to remember, not because you have something to prove. Allow yourself to be present during the trip and enjoy what you see and taste. Some things are meant for you and you only.
I hope you found these 9 self-care habits helpful! If you have more suggestions, share them in the comments and let us know!
Let’s travel around the world, together:)
