Self care on its own can be a tricky thing to maintain. But when traveling, your everyday practices become ten times harder to keep up with. Most importantly, getting back into self care after travel seems like an impossible task, especially when you’ve spent days or more without doing any of it.
We all know just how important it is to take care of ourselves, but it’s definitely not always easy. We have preached before on our blog about the sheer significance of self care days, but it’s equally crucial to keep up with self care no matter what the circumstances are. For those of us who are avid travelers, we know it’s especially hard to find time throughout the day to take a moment for ourselves.
You shouldn’t have to give up on self care just because you’re out of town. So, we’ve put together a short list of tasks to help you resist mental collapse by “self-caring” on the go.
1. Drink sufficient amounts of water.
We know this one speaks for itself, and you’ve probably heard it many times. Well, we’re here to remind you why it’s so important, no matter how often you’ve been told. Studies have shown that amongst its many other benefits, staying hydrated is a huge stress reliever, which is always beneficial for our mental health during travel.
2. Bring travel sized versions of your favorite products.
People tend to forget the importance of keeping up with skin and hair care routines when they travel. Unfortunately, in most cases, skin and hair care is not effective if it isn’t done on a consistent basis. We recommend that you bring some products for the road so you don’t fall behind. Our personal favorites are Aveda’s travel-size products, or “Aveda to-go”, because they are compact and effective (and also available to purchase on our website)!
3. Establish a routine.
Traveling is so much easier when you have a go-to routine. This could mean any number of things, including work, morning, or even exercise schedules, with the sole purpose of developing organization while away. It makes you feel like you are working towards something: a greater picture that is sometimes hard to see with an environment change. Create a travel ritual and stick unwaveringly to it, and everything you’ve been practicing will pay off, no matter where you are in the world.
4. Write about your day.
Writing is an effective way to relieve pressure and work out your feelings. It also allows you to connect better with yourself and evaluate your thoughts. By writing, you can practice a form of self care in a simple and relaxing way, and the best part is that it won’t take up too much time.
5. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been (or are going to be) there; enjoy where you are! Clear your mind by taking a walk and appreciating the uniqueness of your location. Who knows when you’ll be back again!
We know it won’t be easy to remember to do all these things in just a day. But by completing these miniscule tasks, you won’t feel like you’re playing catch-up when you return home. Despite the change in scenery, you’ll be prioritizing your mental health and self care practices, and continuing to pursue the best version of yourself.
