You’re probably of the view that traveling is a form of self-care, and you’re not wrong! After all, it’s an opportunity to broaden your horizons, meet new people and switch off from the daily grind.
But while travel is one of the most exciting things you can do, it can also be full-on and fast-paced.
And we all know the first thing to go when things are full-on and fast-paced: taking care of ourselves.
Taking care of you should be a number one priority, always. Why? Because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
In the context of travel, it becomes harder to enjoy your destination and live your best travel life if you are not looking after yourself.
So, we’ve rounded up our 13 favorite ways to practice self-care while traveling. These tips are super easy to follow and won’t break the bank. Keep reading to find out how you can look out for yourself while on an adventure!
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Relax And Do Nothing, Because This Is Self-Care
We know, this is easier said than done when you’re traveling. But trust us, you will be likely to enjoy your travels even more if you take a day, or even just a few hours, to do nothing.
Literally lay by the pool (or in it), with a cocktail in hand and chill out – it’s fun, but the relaxing, quiet kind.
Touch Base With Friends And Family
A little bit of friend and family time is good for the soul. As fun and exciting as travel is, sometimes you just miss being at home.
So why not give your loved ones a call using a free service like Skype. You’ll be able to share stories about all your adventures and hear what they’ve been up to as well. You may not realise it, but connecting with loved ones really is one of the best forms of self-care out there.
Go For A Walk
Fresh air and some blood circulation works wonders for your body and mind!
So put on your walking shoes and get moving. Not only will you be taking care of yourself, but you’ll be able to take in some sights while you’re at it.
Put Your Phone Down – Trust us, This Is Self-Care At Its Finest!
Yes, we know that your phone is your lifeline! There are Instagram posts and stories to put up, plus photos to upload on Facebook, emails to reply to annnnd you have to scroll through your various social media feeds to see what everyone else is up to all the time.
But really, what’s the worst that will happen when you put you phone down for an hour, a couple of hours or (gasp) a whole day?!
You’re traveling, so live in the moment! Unplug from your phone and take in all the sights and sounds of your destination instead. You can check your phone and upload photos later – when your soul is full and your mind is clear after a period of no distractions.
Go With The Flow
Having a plan of things you want to see and do is always helpful, but it’s also good to be spontaneous once in a while.
Allow yourself some days where you don’t have a plan and you’ll see what we mean. Heading out and seeing where the wind takes you is such an exhilarating feeling – aka a great way to practice self-care.
Connect With Locals
The best way to learn about a new culture or a destination is to talk to the people that live there.
You’ll learn so much by connecting with local people, and learning is basically food for your mind, which is a great form of self-care!
Don’t Underestimate the Power Of Sleep
You know the drill, getting in a solid eight to nine hours a night is one of the best ways you can take care of yourself.
This is especially important when you’re traveling as you’re doing so many activities and taking so much in all the time. Trust us, you need your sleep!
Hit The Dance floor – Yes This Counts As Self-Care!
Because it’s fun and exhilarating and the best way to let loose and look after yourself.
Whether you’re on your own or with some friends, put on your dancing shoes and get out on the dance floor!
Go To The Spa
Ah, the ultimate way to practice self-care. Going to the spa and getting in some relaxation time really helps to relax and rejuvenate your whole body.
And the options are endless – massages, facials, saunas, hot pools – the world is your oyster!
Keep A Healthy Diet
A healthy, balanced diet helps keep your mind and body in check, because you’re getting the nutrients you need to function well.
So eat those fruits and veges, and drink plenty of water!
Meditate – It’s Self-Care 101
Meditation is a really great way to practice self-care.
With its focus on breathing, it can help relive stress and anxiety and keep you feeling balanced overall.
Plus you can easily fit this into your schedule – meditating for just five minutes a day will go a long way to helping you feel like your best self.
Take Things Slowly
A slow travel day goes a really long way!
Sleep in, have a long and luxurious breakfast, and go for a slow and casual stroll.
Slow travel days help balance out the fast-paced days full of endless (fun) activities, and help give you a boost so you can make the most of your travels.
Go On, Indulge A Little!
That’s right, treat yo’self!
First of all, you deserve it, and second of all, you’re taking care of yourself.
Whether you indulge in a fancy meal (dessert and all) or buy a trinket or two from a local store, it’s nice to give yourself a little something once in a while.
Will you be practising self-care on your next travels? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
While there is nothing to debate on the views for self-care presented by you, there is one thing I want to add to the list. For me self-care means taking a proper care of health. To ensure this, I indulge in 30 minutes of yoga no matter how busy I am. The 30-minute yoga routine provides me with energy and confidence to deal with anything.
Yoga is such a great form of self-care!
I already do most of these things, so it’s encouraging to know im on the right track (though I could still be better about it). For example, I went to Belize a few years ago with a friend and the day we planned to go to Guatemala got flipped upside down and we couldn’t go. Everything we did instead that day was completely spontaneous and it ended up being the best day of the whole trip.
That’s great! It’s always better to turn things into an adventure over an ordeal!