10 Ways I Practice Self-Care While Traveling

I’ve been on a journey of exploring what self-care looks like for me while I’m away from home. I’ve realized there are things that I can bring along with me to continue my self-care during the trip that have made me feel so much better. I’ve been working on this list and after all of my traveling this year, I can say with certainty these have helped my mental health so much.

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I can’t begin to emphasize how these 10 tips have helped me continue to practice self care while traveling. I used to feel a lot worse when I would return home from a trip and feel like I had to restart my self-care. There are so many things you can do to practice self-care while traveling. I hope you find these help you on your next trip!

1. Journal

I love journaling as an act of self-care. It gives me a safe place to vent, give gratitude, and give myself space to clear my mind. I find it the most useful to just write whatever I’m thinking of that time. I also give myself a space in the entry to write 3 things I’m grateful for. Get yourself a notebook that is dedicated to traveling and one separate for entry at home.

I use this from Paperage on Amazon, you can get the same here.

2. Boost Your Immune System

Vitamin C

The day before I leave I always start loading up on extra Vitamin C. In the morning I grab a pack of Emergen-C and mix with water. This has helped my immune system before I leave on a trip. Making sure I don’t get sick from a trip is the best way I can take care of myself.

I also bring my Emergen-C with me wherever I go and make sure to keep up with the extra Vitamin C. I always have a box in my apartment and I stock up from Amazon to make things easier.

You can buy yours here: Emergen-C

Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Spray

I’ve raved about this product to anyone that will listen. Paired with extra Vitamin C, this throat spray has helped my immune system so greatly. I’ve traveled a lot in the last few years and this holy grail product has helped me so much. I start using this days before I leave and every day of my trip.

You can try this from Amazon: Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Throat Spray

3. Meditate

This is free and and easy to implement on your travels. Clear your mind, focus on your breath and feel the stress ease away. Even if you have 5 minutes, you will feel so much better. I like to follow a guided mediation, and will look one up on YouTube.

4. Drink A ton of water

I mean it, load up on water like you’ve never had water before. I drink a lot of water on the regular, but in the days leading up to the trip I drink water like it’s my job. This is especially helpful for trips where I’m increasing elevation. The more hydrated you are, the better the trip will go. Drinking water is one of the best self-care habits you can start for traveling.

Pro tip: Get a reusable water bottle to bring with you to the airport to continue your hydration journey!

I am obsessed with my Owala FreeSip Sway and it comes on every trip with me. You can get yours here: Owala FreeSip Sway 32oz

If you forget to drink a lot of water or are on the go and it slips your mind, hydration packets like Liquid IV help make up for it. If I’m on a trip where I know water will be not as accessible, I bring these along with me. My favorite flavor Liquid I.V. makes is the white peach. Bonus, it tastes pretty good!

Buy a pack from Amazon and try for yourself: Liquid IV

5. Get A good Night of Sleep

My final trip prep self-care tip is to get a good night of sleep. I always aim for the 8 hour mark but am usually happy with a solid 7 hours. Making sure I get in bed, stop using my phone, and wind down properly has been the best gift of self-care I’ve given myself. I promise sleeping well the night leading up to your trip will help you to seamlessly travel to your destination.

6. Arrive To The Airport Early

The best way to ease flight worries, arrive to the airport early. For domestic travel, getting there 3 hours is the perfect amount of time. This way you can get through security, find your gate, grab a snack and relax until your boarding is called. If you’re flying internationally, 5 hours before your flight takes off will give you enough time to ease your stress. I’m a firm believer that less stress is an act of self-care.

7. Nourish Your Body

Making sure you nourish your body is an act of self-care. I always bring a granola bar or a protein bar with me to eat before I board my flight. The in flight snack (depending on how long the flight is) just doesn’t cut it for me. Making sure I have a snack that will be more substantial than a bag of chips, has been a game changer. I make sure to stock up before I leave on my trip.
Going along with this is just to make sure to eat while traveling. Make sure to refuel, traveling is a lot on the body and giving nourishment is an act of self-care.

I’m currently loving these: Kodiak Chewy Protein Granola Bars

8. Practice a Hobby on the Plane

This is one has been a game changer for my travel self-care routine. The easiest way to implement this, just bring along the things you already do at home and do them on the flight. Having dedicated non-screen time, like an airplane where you can’t connect to social media is the best time for an act of self-care.

For me, I always have my Kindle with me. I love the free time to read and immerse myself in my current read. To really enhance your experience, pack noise canceling headphones along!

I have the Kindle Paperwhite, you can buy one from Amazon here.

I also love my Apple Airpods Max, they are so comfortable and the over-ear noise cancellation is great. You can buy a pair on Amazon here.

Another hobby you can easily bring along with you, crossword puzzles or word searches. I bought a multi-pack of word searches on Amazon. These are such a great brain game and easily fit into my bag.

You can get this multi word search pack here: Kappa Super Word Search Puzzle Pack

If crossword puzzles are more your speed, I also love these: Kappa Super Crossword Puzzle Pack

A final hobby to try on the plane, coloring. This is one of my favorites, I put on an audiobook and get to coloring. This helps make the time pass so much easier. I like to bring along a coloring book that is easy, and spiral bound. A quiet activity that can be transported just about anywhere. I personally enjoy colored pencils, but you could use crayons or markers!

This is my current favorite that I found on Amazon. Purchase yours here: Stress Relief: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids, Bold and Easy, Simple and Big Designs for Relaxation.

9. Nighttime Routine

One of my favorite acts of self-care, is to take time for my nighttime routine. I always bring along my essentials, like my favorite face wash, serums, and of course masks. Giving myself that extra time to shower and do my skincare helps me to relax and unwind. In addition to my normal routine, these 3 things have helped to give me that extra boost on the go.

Gua Sha

I started using my Gua Sha a few years ago and it has been a permanent fixture in my routine. I found a tutorial on YouTube that and went from there. This is the perfect way to de-puff and de-stress in my day to day, but especially when traveling. I got this Gua Sha from Amazon and it hasn’t failed me yet.

Take an Everything Shower

After getting off a plane, I always feel so gross and the best way to combat that, a long shower. I love to put on my favorite playlist or an audiobook and take a long shower. I follow up with a great lotion after and I am good to go.

Under Eye Masks and Sheet masks

My final addition to the skincare routine, under eye masks and sheet masks. I am always so dehydrated after a flight or long travel day. These two are the best way to rehydrate my face. I have purchased a lot of different masks but I keep repurchasing these!

My favorite sheet masks: LOOPS Glow Gang Korean Face Mask Set

My favorite under eye masks: PEAUAMIE Under Eye Patches with Retinol and Aloe Vera Eye Mask

10. Move Your Body

My final tip, is to move your body. Whether its at the airport or the moment you land, go on a walk. If you ever see me at an airport, just know I’m on a walk. This is especially helpful when you’re in a new destination. You get the benefits of exercising and also seeing a new place. Incorporating movement into a travel routine is such a great way to practice self-care.

If the hotel has a gym, this is great too! It’s not always possible to get outside for a long walk, like at night or in the colder months. I have found continuing to exercise while traveling keeps me on track with my self-care journey.

Final Thoughts

These are the 10 things that have helped immensely on my self-care journey while traveling. I really hope these can help you on your next trip. As always, take care of yourself.