Ultimate Self-Care While Traveling Guide // Guest Post

Today on the blog we have a guest writer, Alice Zarka of Alice’s Atlas. She’s my best friend, and has personally saved my life (aka my shorts from vomit stains in the airport) by being excessively prepared for our long travel day to Aruba together. She has traveled to 20+ countries & 30+ states and I have always been inspired by how well she prioritizes self care while traveling the world.

If you’re traveling this summer, remember these self-care guidelines below to stay nourished from the inside out.

Pack smart. Packing smart and being prepared is essential to feeling like you are in control while traveling. Aside from bringing light and versatile clothing, consider what you do / use every single day at home that will give you a sense of grounding wherever you are in the world. These are the things worth bringing. For me, it’s my skin & hair products, essential oils, a few small travel crystals, palo santo, a journal, yoga mat, reusable water bottle, and vegan snacks.

Set your internal clock. Jet lag is real. I feel like I blacked out my first trip to Europe when I was 17 because I was so exhausted, unprepared, and had a jam packed itinerary. Since then I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade when it comes to setting the internal clock.

As best as you can, gradually align your sleep schedule with the time zone of your destination in the days leading up to your trip. Jet Lag Rooster is a helpful app where you can input your usual sleep cycle and the destination you’re traveling to and it will calculate suggested guidelines for how to adjust.

Staying well fed and hydrated during travel is important as well, as it helps the body maintain equilibrium through the stress of changing environments. When you arrive to your destination, avoid eating a heavy meal, as it will likely make you crash. Instead, prioritize staying awake and having as normal of a day as possible, eating at local dinner time, and go to bed so you allow for 8 hours of sleep.

Maintain a morning routine. As amazing as it is to feel endlessly inspired and curious while traveling, it can be really easy to take on the energy of the place you are in and the people you’re around and get lost in it all. Maintain your morning routine, or create one that suits where you are. Taking time to yourself before you start the day will keep you in tune with how you feel and what you need.

Slow down & soak it all in. There is so much going on internally when traveling, that it becomes increasingly important to take the time to download and self reflect. Make it part of your morning routine to express gratitude for all of the experiences you are having. Journal to process and move through whatever is present for you while in a different part of the world. Integrate as you go, and notice time slowing down for you when you choose to soak it all in.

It’s okay to say no. Just because you’re traveling, doesn’t mean you have to do it all and be on the go 24/7. I know from experience when I say it’s not worth it to cram every day so full that you’re not sleeping, eating well or taking care of basic needs.

Travel is meant to be relaxing and rejuvenating. Choose what experiences really matter to you, do the best in the time you have, and leave the rest behind. Spend your energy falling in love with who you are in the space that you’re in, because that is the feeling that will last a lifetime.