Self-care & travel
In honor of International Self-Care Day, which took place last week, it seemed fitting to take some time to talk about the importance of self-care while traveling. For as many wonderful things as travel can bring, it can also add a lot of stressors that we’re not used to. Think time change, culture shock, language barriers, flight delays, homesickness, loneliness. The list goes on. And if we’re not intentionally taking care of ourselves as we navigate our travel experiences, it can be easy to call it quits, stay closed off to transformation and show up in ways that don’t feel aligned with who we want to be as we travel.
One of my favorite quotes on self-care comes from Audre Lorde, writer, poet and activist: “I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.”
As Lorde states, self-care is more than just a nice thing to do; it’s a necessity. It allows us to stay healthy, to manage our emotions, to be more present and resilient, and to connect in meaningful ways with ourselves and others. It fortifies us, giving us more capacity to handle whatever life and travel throw our way.
There can be as many ways to practice self-care as there are people. And what works for one person may not work for another. Rather than being prescriptive, self-care is about checking in on what you need at any given time and considering how to honor that need accordingly. It could be rest, solitude, engaging with others, being active, connecting with nature, or any number of other approaches. But it all starts with taking time to pause, turn inward and listen to what your body, mind and spirit are communicating.
Though self-care looks different for everyone, I will share a few things I’ve found to be helpful while traveling. See if any resonate, and know that it’s okay if none of them do. Perhaps use this as a jumping off point to brainstorm what may work for you.
1. Find a sacred space
Find a place that feels comfortable, cozy and conducive to checking in with yourself. It may be a space in your hotel or Airbnb; it may be a place in nature; it may be a local cafe. Find a place you want to go, where you feel at ease, where you are able to connect with your thoughts, emotions and observations. A place where you can reflect, process and make meaning of your experiences.
2. Slow it down
As much as you’re able, try to slow down the pace of your travel. Try to pause and take it all in, rather than rushing through it or trying to cram in as much as possible. As you slow down, find meaningful ways to use this time. This can be through journaling, meditating, connecting with nature, engaging in meaningful conversation or simply observing what’s happening around you and within you.
3. Identify small wins (and celebrate them!)
Getting settled and navigating a new place can be overwhelming. Sometimes self-care can look like identifying something small – finding a new restaurant you’d like to try, walking through a new part of your neighborhood, attending a class or event – and celebrating how big this actually is. You are putting yourself out there, even in seemingly insignificant ways, and this has a big impact over time.
4. Treat yourself
To dinner, a glass of wine, a guilty-pleasure book, a fun playlist, a movie at the local cinema. Particularly when you’re feeling overwhelmed, finding something simple that feels fun, lighthearted or even a bit indulgent can have a big impact.
5. Practice kindness & curiosity over judgment
There will be days when you don’t do any of these things. There will be times when your fear or doubt will get the best of you. There will be moments where it all feels like too much and you want to stay in bed, or even go home. And that’s okay. In these moments, find as much grace and kindness as you can for yourself. Try to get curious about what is underneath the fear and overwhelm. Talk to yourself like you would a dear friend. And try to suspend judgment. You are human, and travel can be hard. At the end of the day, you’re still trying; you’re still showing up; and that’s a big deal.
Caring for ourselves – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually – is always important. And this is never more true than when we are traveling to new places, pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones, and navigating uncomfortable experiences. The next time you plan a trip, make sure to schedule some intentional you-time in there, and notice the impact it has.
Until next time…
Happy traveling!
~Tiffany