Updated June 16, 2022.

Travel is one of my favorite parts of life, but much like exercise, it’s hard on the body after a while! Sometimes it’s good to take a step back, go to bed early, or sleep late. Getting out and about can do wonders for my mood, but at the end of the day, I get weary! If you’re like me, here are a few ways to take care of yourself on your travels—or even at home!

Body Care

Thank your body for all the things it allows you to do by taking care of it! Your body can really take a lot, but eventually it needs a rest. Listen to your body, take time to figure out what it needs, and your body will continue to take you wherever you want to go!

1. Drink More Water

You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: water is so good for you! Even if you think you’re not thirsty, drink a glass or two after a long day and see if it helps. Dehydration can cause muscle cramps, dry skin, tiredness, headaches, rapid heartbeat, and more. So drink up! I try to get a gallon a day, but start by shooting for eight cups in a day.

2. Exercise

A body in motion stays in motion. True statement! Too much exercise can be rough on your body, but moving every day helps your body stay healthy and stay in motion all your life. Whether it’s a walk or run to familiarize yourself with your destination, 30 minutes at your hotel’s gym to fight the jet lag, a hike to get that view before the crowds come in later in the day, or a bicycle tour to see the sights with someone who knows the best things about the area, just move! I love being active in my travels so much that is was my 2018 Blog Theme!

Keep reading: Nantucket by Land and By Sea,
Biking Block Island, and Running Boston

3. Get a Massage

It may seem frivolous to some, but once in a while, your body needs some loosening up that you can’t really do yourself. If you’re an anxious traveler like me, this is especially important. Our trip to Morocco last year was a particularly stressful trip, and after toting our luggage all over the country for two weeks, my body was just worn out.

I booked a massage for the next day on my phone while we were waiting for our flight out of Morocco to board, and it was the best thing I have ever done for myself! I had no more back or neck pain, my whole body felt loose, and my whole mindset shifted. Listen to your body and learn how to give it what it needs. Try cupping, aroma therapy, hot stones, or anything you think might make it more interesting!

Read on: How to Travel and Still Have Good Hygiene

4. Stay in a Nice Hotel

This might also seem like a bit of an extravagance, but hear me out. Stay wherever you like during your trip, but at least for your last night, book a really nice accommodation. Treat yourself and your body to a comfortable bed, fresh sheets, a fluffy pillow, kind service, and amenities like a spa or pool! Take just one evening to truly relax.

Need some inspiration? Check out the Legendary Hotels of the World!

Skin Care

Travel and stress can do a number on your skin, but you can definitely take some steps to keep your skin happy and healthy in unfamiliar environments!

1. Do It Yourself Facial

You don’t have to spend $500 at a spa to get some self care! You can literally do it yourself! I usually take a couple of moisturizing facial masks with me on my trips. Airplanes are so dry, and I can definitely tell a difference in my skin on long flights. The secret is to choose a paper or cloth mask instead of a liquid mask that you’ll have to wash off. The other secret is to not care what those around you think… they are most likely jealous of your great idea! Here are a couple of effective, not-too-messy options for your in-flight enjoyment:

Another good thing to do is a facial treatment while you’re traveling. I like to bring a facial scrub or mud mask with me and treat myself if I have a particularly stressful day or just on the last night of my trip. Take a bath, slip into the hotel robe and slippers, lounge in the privacy of your room, and let the mask work its magic!

More here: My In-flight Beauty Routine

2. Get a Good Soak

My husband and I both enjoy hiking on our travels, and we walk a lot even when we’re exploring a city! We’ve been known to cross over 37,000 steps in a single day, and that makes for a weary body! I will sometimes bring bath salts or a bath fizz with me, especially if I know there’s going to be a bath tub to use!

Keep reading: The 5 Most Scandalous Things women Need for Travel

Mental Care

I think we’re all becoming more comfortable talking about mental health in our lives, and that increased comfort helps us be more aware of those times when we need to take a step back. Travel is a time to explore, adventure, and have new experiences, and that can sometimes be overwhelming! Taking time for a little mental health care can make all the difference.

1. Get Take-out or Order Room Service

I know, I know, that’s for duds. Well, sometimes I’m a dud, and that’s okay! It’s okay if you are, too. Sometimes you just want to eat at 4:00pm and go to bed at 5:00pm and hope the jet lag is better tomorrow! Listen to your body, listen to your emotions, and give yourself a break from crowded restaurants if you need it! Steve and I get take out often in our travels. We like to admire the view from our room sometimes!

Keep reading: The Best Food in the World

2. Buy Something for Yourself

You could do this before or during your trip! I am not a shopper by any stretch of the imagination, but even I can admit that when I’m wearing something new, I feel a little more confident, a little prettier, and a little bit better about myself. So whether it’s a new romper for that beach vacation, a new pair of earrings from a local shop to remind you of your trip, or a fancy dress to wear to the Sydney Opera House, treat yourself!

Related: Staying at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

3. Read Something Fluffy

When I say “fluffy,” I mean something fun, cute, funny, silly, girly, pointless except for your reading pleasure. Not a biography, not a historic account, nothing dark, not something for work—something that will make you laugh! Here are a couple I’ve ready recently that I absolutely loved:

Keep reading: Check out my 2022 Travel Reading List!

4. Take a Whole Day Off

Much like splurging on a nice hotel, this might seem like the opposite of what you should do on a trip, but it’s another one of those things that your body really might need. If you’re feeling stressed, burned-out, or just generally in a funk, take a break. Don’t put pressure on yourself to see ten things in a day. Move your body to get the kinks out, then re-evaluate how you feel.

If you’re feeling burned-out on your month-long trip, it really is okay to take a day to yourself! Even if you’re only somewhere for a few days, you don’t have to see and do it all. Take some time to give your body what it needs, including rest!

Want more tips for staying healthy on travel? You might want to explore my Health and Wellness Page!

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