How to Practice Self-Care While Traveling

People travel to experience new cultures, go on adventures, and try new things. While traveling benefits our mind, body, and mental health, many can find themselves overwhelmed and experiencing high levels of stress while on vacation. It is important to practice self-care while traveling to reduce and even prevent stress. Here are seven easy ways to practice self-care while you travel.

1.    Schedule Alone Time

Oftentimes, when we are traveling with others, we spend practically every minute with them. This can lead to high levels of stress and a lack of privacy, which could result in arguments. To prevent that, try scheduling alone time every few days. This could look like everyone exploring on their own for a few hours, relaxing in a park one evening, or eating a meal at various restaurants. Alone time can be exciting because afterward you can compare what you did and decide if it would be a good group activity for later in the vacation.

2.    Keep a Travel Journal

Journaling has been shown to help reduce stress and improve mental health. Bringing along a small journal and pen while traveling can provide a great outlet for logging what you did each day and how you felt. A travel journal can also be a great souvenir for yourself as by the end of your vacation it will be filled with the best parts of your adventures.

3.    Continue Your Daily Self-Care Routine

Maintaining a routine during vacations is important. If at home you make yourself a coffee every morning, shower in the evenings, or have a usual bedtime routine, try to continue doing those things while traveling. If you have a daily skincare routine, whether it is elaborate or not, bring it with you. You may not need to bring every step of your skincare routine but try to bring travel-sized bottles of the necessities. While it is not always possible to maintain your daily self-care routines, doing so can help you feel grounded and relaxed.

4.    Disconnect from Work and Social Media

Nobody likes checking their work emails when they’re on vacation. It can increase stress and take your focus away from the experiences you are having. While not everyone can fully step away from their job, setting up away messages and disconnecting from work can greatly improve your vacation. Social media, while great at connecting people, can also be a distraction when traveling. Completely disconnecting from social media may not be an option, but setting aside time each day to post and scroll can give you the freedom to spend the rest of the day exploring and making memories.

5.    The Basics: Stay Hydrated, Use Sunscreen, Prioritize Sleep

While these things seem obvious, they are often the hardest to remember while traveling. Drinking water can help prevent feeling groggy during the day and is important to our mental and physical health. One of the worst vacation experiences can be a really bad sunburn that leaves you tired and sore, however, using sunscreen often and liberally can help your vacation go smoothly. Sleep is incredibly important, especially when traveling abroad. Make sure your schedule has time allotted to recover from jet lag and get enough sleep each night of your vacation to prevent tiredness and irritation, and to allow yourself to enjoy your travels to the fullest.

6.    Soak in Your Surroundings

Practicing mindfulness is the act of bringing your awareness to the present. When traveling, the best way to do this is to wait a few minutes before pulling out your phone or camera to capture your surroundings. When we are taking pictures, we are not fully soaking in the environment. Waiting just a minute or two can allow us to fully experience the view. Another great way to practice mindfulness while traveling is by meditating. Like waiting to take pictures, it can help us fully be in the moment. Next time you are in a picturesque area, try sitting, closing your eyes, and taking a few deep breaths. Pay attention to the sounds, smells, and feel of the things around you.

7.    Allow Yourself to Not Be Perfect

If you are traveling and trying to stick to a strict schedule or diet, allow yourself the flexibility to not be perfect. Vacationing is about experiencing and relaxing, which can be hard to do if you are restricting yourself. Give yourself the grace to try the foods that look good, change plans that are not working out, or add new plans to your itinerary.

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Try these tips the next time you’re traveling—because taking care of yourself is just as important as the adventure itself. With a little intention and self-care, you’ll return home feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready for your next journey!

For more travel inspiration and tips on mindfulness while traveling, visit us at

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