For my second post for You.Propelled, I decided to write about how important it is to take care of yourself, particularly when traveling as I am taking a number of trips this fall, including 3 trips to the west coast.
I love to travel, but all I could think about was how exhausted I would feel after these back-to-back trips. Traveling really takes a toll on my well-being! Instead of seeing travel as an energy-sucker, I have decided to view my travel as a way to treat myself well and find a greater sense of calm in my life, which I know is tough, but definitely possible!
Propel’s mission is to enhance your life, give you the ability to move through obstacles, and live a more streamlined life. So, I’ve come up with some advice for taking care of yourself while traveling– much of which can be easily applied to achieving a more balanced and proactive lifestyle. You don’t have to travel 3,000 miles across the country to start incorporating these into your life. Making a conscious effort to step back and slow down to will help to simplify your life. Give them a try and let me know what works for you.
Tips for Taking Care of Yourself
Get some shut eye. First and foremost, before traveling on a long trip, I make sure to get a good night’s rest. When I’m sleep-deprived, I become cranky and easily frustrated, which is not fun for anyone! Plus, waking up well-rest and motivated to travel makes the journey so much more enjoyable!
Work out the details. I do as much as I can before I leave home: I reconfirm my flight, print out my boarding pass, and load-up my cell phone with all of my trip information, including confirmation numbers. Getting all of this done ahead of times allows me to focus more on “me” time instead of stressing about the details. Giving myself plenty of time before departure prevents me from running around if I encounter a snag in my plans.
Unplug and sip slowly. One of my favorite traveling “rituals,” especially at airports, is turning off my cell phone, ordering a hot cup of tea, and people-watching. I’m so used to running around like a crazy person in my regular life, it’s often difficult for me to just stop and sit. Slowing down to sip tea (or coffee) and really enjoying it, helps me relax and revitalize myself.
Keep it healthy. Eating well while traveling can be a real challenge, especially on a long flight from Boston to San Francisco, but I’ll probably need to eat at some point. Many airports provide travelers with some pretty healthy eating options now-a-days, so it’s usually easy to purchase a meal and bring it with me on the airplane. If I don’t board my flight armed with nutritious eats, I typically end up eating poorly because of the limited food options on board. I also make sure to pack a nutritious, yet satisfying snack, like a Larabar, in case of a hunger “emergency.”
Be productive. Slowing down doesn’t have to mean being unproductive, so while sitting at the airport or on a plane, I take the time to look ahead in my planner and see where I can streamline my life. For instance, skipping happy hour for a walk with friends, might be a good way to incorporate socializing with exercise. This idle time is also a great opportunity for me to reflect on my life and think about what I am grateful for. Sometimes I will write in my journal, other times I will just daydream about my future goals.
Enjoy a small treat. My skin gets really dry from all of that recycled air on long flights. Of course, I would prefer a hydrating facial after my flight, but an easier and less expensive option is massaging lotion onto my skin for a couple of minutes. It’s a great way to enjoy the moment and treat myself in a small way.
This post is sponsored by Propel for the You.Propelled Program
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Tina,
I recently wrote a post on the same thing before traveling to Portland and used many of the same tips. They are awesome!
2 things I would add for people worried about getting sick on planes like I am (so much bacteria, so little air flow):
1) drink lots of emercen-C or airbone, whatever you like, during the trip to boost your immune system. take your vitamins!
2) rub some neosporin in/ around your nostrils to kill bacteria before it enters your system. this sounds funny, but it really works! neosporin is an anti-bacterial, so it kills bacteria before you breathe it in!
Great post! I love traveling. I pack all my own food now for flights, it makes such a difference in avoiding jet lag!
Great tips! I traveled for work 5 days a week every week for almost a year and consider myself an expert now
It can become totally exhausting if you don’t plan ahead, make time to exercise, make time to relax, and be aware of the way you’re eating!
I always get to the airport early and relax with a cup of coffee before my flight! It’s such a great tip because I hate feeling hurried; it’s such a terrible way to start a trip. Great tip!
(and the people watching at O’Hare is INSANE!)
Great tips! I view traveling, even work trips, as little “adventures” where I get to experience someplace different. Keeping that in mind helps me take pleasure in the simple joys of traveling
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I would also add staying well hydrated while traveling. I realized recently that you can take an empty water bottle through security (I just assumed it was a no-no for the longest time). So, if its not too much trouble, and you’re interested in saving a couple of dollars on outrageously priced bottled water, take your water bottle with you. You can fill it up at a fountain or sometimes the restaurants will do it for you!
Love taking the time to sit back and people-watch! Airports are fascinating if you take the time to slow down and take ‘em in
Great tips for traveling, I believe all of them to be useful to me and can totally relate to you! Great writing and article!
Great tips! Another good one is to make sure you bring books or magazines you have been meaning to read. Not being accessible while you are flying is a great time to catch up on your “me time.” Also, for long flights bring a good eye mask to help get some shut eye if that’s what you need.
Good post, I keep this in mind when I go to the FoodBuzz Blogger Festival this November! Is that one of the SF trips you will be making?
Great post. I always make sure I pack my own food when traveling. I hate airport food/fast food, etc. I won’t eat it:) So I always plan ahead. I try to sneak in workouts where I can-at the hotel’s gym, walking, running, etc. I plan on walking a lot in SF this weekend. Bringing my running shoes too. I try to eat healthy most of the time, but I do splurge a little-it is vacation. I plan for this though and know it is “ok.” SF is known for it’s food so I have to indulge a little:) We are going to a food conference..ha! I need to make sure I get rest too. Traveling can wipe you out!
Great suggestions! I love people watching with a hot cup of coffee/chai/latte and a good mag in the airport. I also make sure to have some healthy snacks and water on hand in my carry on.
Good tips, it’s exactly the things I like to do myself as well while traveling!
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Great post, Tina. It is so easy to forget self care while traveling!
Great tips! I love people watching, especially at airports. I like to travel with my Dad because we can both just sit and people watch for hours. I also looking forward to traveling because I always indulge in buying as many celebrity/trashy/gossip magazines as I can find!
Thanks for the great tips! I love sitting at a coffee shop in the airport and people watching. You really take notice that it takes a lot of different people to make up this world
I always carry Olay facial Sheets and my friend now has recommended the Morning Burst in shower facial from Clean n Clear (I will have to try this).
Thanks for the tips! When I travel I love buying a special coffee at the airport to enjoy, like a skinny vanilla latte. I don’t often drink anything other than regular coffee and I think it’s a great way to start any trip in a relaxing way :O)
I love your idea for the tea break. I bet people watching at an airport is FASCINATING- you kinda see people at their best and, unfortunately, I’m sure their worst.
Great tips! Theres nothing worse than getting sick at a time when you should be having fun and feeling great
I love your tip about sitting back and enjoy tea or coffee in the airport. I always buy myself a luxury beverage (like a light frappuccino or non-fat latte) & a gossip mag & do just this! It really puts me in vacation mode for not a lot of calories. Love the suggestion.
Great tips for traveling! I just recently took a trip to Chicago and was so grateful that I packed lots of good snacks and that my hotel had a gym
Packing healthy snacks is a lifesaver. Also, wear sneakers on flights so if you have time to kill in the airport you can walk around a lot.
Last time I was in San Fran I stopped at the Ferry Bldg on my way to the airport and picked up some fabulous gourmet and healthy eats for the plane ride home. yum.
Great tips. I love that first picture-that’s in Victoria, British Columbia right? I loved going there from Seattle. Did you go to the the gardens? They are absolutely stunning!
Thanks for posting this!! I travel a lot internationally, and I also bring mini facial wash things,a mini facial lotion, toothbrush, mini toothpaste, and makeup with me. Right after the plane lands, I rush to the nearest bathroom for a quick facial wash, teeth brushing, and a reapply my makeup. After 15+ hours of traveling, I end up looking and feeling refreshed at my destination.
these are such great tips! i can’t wait to travel again so i can incorporate them into my life! thanks tina!
Very true, especially about getting enough sleep!
These are some great tips! I was just thinking about my upcoming travel for work towards the end of this week and how I need to pack some snacks for the flight and hotel room. Now that I am trying to eat healthier, I know that it will be crucial for me to have some good eating options so I can avoid the vending machines when hunger strikes.
I’d love to travel more so that I can take advantage of some of these tips – LOL!!! I love traveling and seeing new places
terrific tips – i especially love your people watching at airport tips. it is such a good time to just observe.
I love the idea of grabbing tea and people watching while waiting for a plane! Instead of the usual impatience I feel before a flight, this will be a great way to relax a little.
nice informative post!
jenna
Hi, I came across your website a weeks ago and have really enjoyed your posts. I almost fell off my chair this morning when I saw your first posted picture though… my first thought was “what a gorgeous background shot…” and yes, that is my hometown, you apparently hit us on a good day
I hope you enjoyed your visit to Victoria!
Hey, next time you book a hotel make sure to check out http://www.HotelGymReview.com (launching soon) to make sure you stay at a hotel with a great fitness facility.