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
