Self Care for Less Stress on Vacation

Plan Ahead, But Stay Flexible

• I like to plan out a loose itinerary, but allow room for spontaneity and relaxation. I will pre-book a couple of tours or activities, but not for every day. This allows and encourages exploration and time to soak in the local culture.

Pack Light

• Avoid overpacking to minimize the stress of managing heavy luggage. We tend to take public transport on vacation, so lugging around heavy luggage is a no go.

• Stick to essentials and versatile clothing. Check out my blog post on how I pack light, in a carry on and personal item bag.

• Create a packing list, and pack in advance to reduce any stress associated with packing. This also helps to keep your packing to the essentials, you will be less tempted to throw in extra things if you have a list planned out ahead of time.
• Pack comfortable clothing that you feel confident in. ALWAYS pack comfortable shoes, you walk a lot when traveling, a lot more than you probably do at home.

Pack In Advance

• Make a packing list for your trip, planning for each day.
• Use the 5,4,3,2,1 packing method outlined here.
• Packing in advance, with a list takes the stress out of packing. Packing less also helps take some of the stress out of packing.
• Pack comfortable clothes and shoes that you feel confident in.

Prioritize Rest

• Don’t try to do everything in one trip. Prioritize key activities and leave time for rest.

• I like to plan in time for naps or just vegging out in the hotel for an hour or two throughout the day for a break from stimulation.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Well

• Keep a water bottle handy and opt for balanced meals to maintain energy and mood. I have a collapsible water bottle that I travel with. It collapses down to fit easily in my suitcase. This helps me get in my daily water intake and saves some money while out and about.

• Try the local foods, some of the best meals I’ve had ever are on vacation. Watch where the locals eat and try it out, be adventurous.
• Pack snacks for sightseeing, in case of emergency hangryness. I know I get irritated easily when I’m hungry, so quick healthy snacks to fuel your sightseeing will be helpful. Having snacks is a must for parents with kiddos, as they can sometimes be picky and not want to try the local cuisine.

Practice Mindfulness

• Take moments to breathe deeply, meditate, or simply appreciate your surroundings. Getting out in nature also has a calming effect on the mind.

• I have a gratitude journal I like to write in each day. This helps start my mornings off on a note of gratitude. At the end of the day, I will journal for a bit to reflect on the day we had.

• If you find yourself getting antsy or stressed, try box breathing. I take a breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds and breath out for 4 seconds. I’ll do this for a minute or two . This helps regulate my nervous system and calms me down. This is an easy method that can be used anywhere, unlike meditation.

Unplug From Technology

• Limit screen time to fully immerse yourself in the experience to reduce the pressure to stay connected.

• Resist the urge to work, or check emails on vacation. Set up your out of office reply and fully disconnect from work.

• Enjoy the sights and stop thinking about how or where to get the best pic’s for your social media.

Get Enough Sleep

• Prioritize rest to recharge and enjoy your trip without feeling fatigued. Travel can be exhausting, so I plan for rest times throughout the day. If we have a busy day planned, I will make sure that the next day has enough time for rest.

• You are on vacation, what better time to get caught up on sleep!
• Pack earplugs and an eye mask to help block out light and sounds while sleeping. Hotels always seem to be in the busy area of town. I inevitably can’t sleep the first night in a hotel listening to new sounds outside.

Travel Insurance

• Invest in travel insurance to handle unexpected situations with ease. There are a lot of good travel insurance companies out there. During Covid we had to get travel insurance for entry into Costa Rica. It wasn’t terribly expensive, and it gave us peace of mind

First Aid Kit

• Pack a small first aid kit, see my post here, for ideas on what to put in your travel first aid kit. Having blister band aids or Tylenol can make the difference between being uncomfortable or not. I like to pack activated charcoal for times when I want to eat that delicious street taco, but it might not sit well.

Bring a Comfort Item

• Pack things like a travel pillow, headphones, or a favorite book to help you feel at home. See my blog post on my travel essentials. I have a friend who brings a silk pillowcase from home to sleep on. This is a small and easily packable comfort item.
• I like to bring a tiny portable bluetooth speaker for vacation. This one is small but packs a punch, and it’s fun to turn on familiar music and jam out while at the beach or in your vacation rental. Just be sure to play on low if you are in a hotel room.

Don’t Over Schedule

• Leave downtime in your itinerary to relax and avoid feeling rushed. If it sounds like a lot to do in a day, IT IS! I try to only schedule 2 activities per day max, add in meals and time for sightseeing, and shopping and you have a pretty full day.

• If you are crossing a lot of time zones, it is smart to plan nap time into your daily schedule, even if it’s just for an hour.
• It takes an average of one full day per hour crossed to adjust to a new time zone, so plan in some rest time. You’ll be thankful.

Read a Book

• There is something magical about reading a book. It can transport you to another time and place. Reading on vacation is one of the big ways that I practice self care on vacation. Check out book recommendations here.
• If you don’t want to bring a physical book, you can download a book to read or listen to on tape.

Clean your home

• Before going on vacation, I like to clean my house. That way you are coming home to a clean home. This can make all the difference, so you don’t feel the need to clean as soon as you get home.

Skincare

• Your skin is the largest organ in your body, taking care of it makes you feel taken care of.
• Wear sunscreen. You don’t want to get a sunburn on your trip!

• Follow my Skincare routine for ladies in or near your 40’s

Gratitude

• Take some time out of each day to journal your thoughts and feeling, as well as 3 things you are grateful for. Research shows that writing down a gratitude list helps you feel more satisfied with your life and situation.

Hot Showers or Hotel Spa

• Take a hot shower or bath after a long day of sightseeing.
• If your hotel has a spa or fitness center, take advantage of it. I don’t really ever go to spas at home, so it’s always a treat to do this on vacation. My partner actually likes to join me for a half day spa day on vacation.

By incorporating these self-care practices, you can create a more enjoyable and stress-free vacation experience. Let me know in the comments what you like to do on vacation to take care of yourself.

-Beck

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