Do you recall those moments when you’re travelling on an airplane, the safety announcements tell you that you should put your own mask on first in case of an emergency? Well, I agree completely. You must look after yourself first to have the energy to show up to other people around you. I travel alone most of the time because I don’t want anyone to ruin my holiday and I see every international trip as an opportunity to rejuvenate myself. I know that if I don’t put myself first, sooner or later I’ll feel jaded and won’t have the bandwidth to take care of anything or anyone else! Over the years I’ve had many trips, so I’d like to summarize some tips regarding how to make a trip therapeutic for yourself.
Always make self-care your No. 1 priority.
In my early 30s, I worked extremely hard as a university lecturer. After a burnout, I left that profession and found a retail job. No one at the time understood why I did that, but I can justify why I made that decision. It was important to me that I get out of my head and get into my body by doing something that didn’t require me to use my brain. Retail work was a good change of pace – quite simple, nice and easy. Better still, there were lots of physical activities on the shop floor each day – walking around, taking stock, etc., so I wasn’t sitting in front of a computer all the time. I felt so much better!
Some tips leading up to a calming trip.
- If you sit at your desk all day long, consider making a change to your sedentary lifestyle! Motivate yourself with the goal of planning an international trip and holiday for a change of perspective and pace of life. As a bonus, it’s a chance to move around a lot more! Picture yourself wandering through exciting markets, strolling down unfamiliar streets, and hiking scenic paths in far-off places.
- Carry a small bottle of essential oil with you while traveling. Whenever you need to improve focus, you simply practice deep breathing with the help of the essential oil to savor the peace of mind.
- Although you are on holiday, you still need to prioritize the quality of your sleep by setting a consistent bedtime every night. A calming and relaxing bedtime routine is beneficial and helpful if you suffer from insomnia. I usually read a book before falling asleep at night: I do that on my phone (but I use ‘eye comfort’ mode on the screen of my smartphone) while wearing glasses that block blue light. After reading one chapter, I fall asleep very quickly.
Healthy eating while traveling.
Hydration is paramount because it’s so essential for good health and well-being in general. Please always keep a water bottle in your bag and drink at least 2 liters of water every day. In addition, you may drink herbal tea or a smoothie to stay hydrated – be sure to avoid sugar if that’s possible. Personally, I drink a glass of fresh orange juice every morning.
What’s more, never skip meals! Sometimes when the schedule is full and busy, it is quite tempting to skip meals. However, skipping meals only makes you feel more tired, for you need to fuel your body with high-quality meals and healthy snacks throughout the day. I begin each day with a high-protein breakfast during every international trip.
A fulfilling international trip has numerous factors to consider. While keeping in mind that a journey is meant to be an enriching experience for the body and soul, remember that self-care remains the cornerstone. Just as the safety instruction on an airplane emphasizes putting on your own mask first, recognize that nurturing yourself equips you with the energy and enthusiasm to engage positively with the world around you! It’s a philosophy that has guided my solo travels, allowing me to reclaim my sense of vitality and protect against burnout. 🙂
Travel simply with Simply Travel and request a quote today! We’ll make sure you have an enriching experience.
