Whether you are traveling the world long-term or heading off on a family vacation, making time to relax is important.
When you travel, your routines are messed up. This means your sleeping, eating, and general daily patterns are not the same, and this can take its toll on your mind and body.
Traveling is meant to be relaxing. Most people will go away with the intent of spending some time relaxing, whether that’s lying on the beach, swimming in the pool, or heading to a sauna after a long day on the ski slopes.
However, arriving at your destination can be quite the opposite, with the hustle and bustle and all your routines out of whack. It is, therefore, really important that you take some time to consider how you can relax when you are traveling, plan it into your itinerary, and make sure you follow through with it.
Incorporating relaxing activities into your travel plans can help your mental and physical health. If you have quite a full schedule, taking a moment to slow down will help you recover better and be in a good mindset for the next activity or day of fun. If not, overwhelm might build up and then you are knocked out for a few days. That is the last thing that you want to happen.
To help you get started, here are some top tips and ideas to help you relax when you are traveling.
Top tips for finding something relaxing to do while you are traveling
#1 Consider what you find relaxing and what you don’t
You must think about what you find relaxing and what you don’t. You don’t want to choose to read a book just because it is trending on Instagram when trying to read a book is super stressful for you. Consider what you find relaxing and create a list. If you are not sure what you find relaxing, then make some time before you go traveling, to experiment with different things that you want to try.
#2 Think of something that doesn’t need much
If you are traveling, you’ll be limited and unable to carry a lot of stuff with you. Therefore, you must consider relaxing activities that you can do anywhere with no or minimal equipment. For example, you might find unwinding with an online game relaxing, or perhaps a meditation that you can follow on YouTube. The possibilities are endless when you think properly about it.
#3 Think of something that doesn’t require too much time or effort
When you go traveling, the last thing you want to do is make time for something that requires a lot of time and effort, or is unrelated to your fun itinerary. If you pick a relaxing activity that takes a few hours and a lot of effort, you are unlikely to do it. With a high effort and high time activity, you are already creating barriers for yourself. You need to consider something easy and something small that does not take up too much of your time. This makes it much easier to squeeze into your holiday or travel itinerary. It could be a film in bed, or some mindfulness with your morning coffee.
Top ideas for relaxing while you are traveling
Meditation
Meditation is an excellent habit to get into. All you need is a few minutes in a quiet room. That’s it! You can sit or stand, close your eyes or keep them open, there are many options. You can take a few minutes of silence, or follow a guided meditation on YouTube. The great thing is you don’t need anything and you can do it anywhere.
Yoga
Yoga is a great idea for when you are traveling, especially after long-haul flights or lots of public transport or running around. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to get started. You can take a mat with you if you want or you can just use the floor or pop a towel down. Follow a series of stretches that feel good for your body, being conscious of your breathing. You can make this up and flow with what feels good for you, or you can follow a guided yoga class on YouTube. Most locations might even have yoga classes there. You can look for local businesses or in your hotel activities center.
Movies
Nothing beats winding down at the end of a busy day with a movie in bed. See what movies are available at your accommodation, or browse through ones you can watch online, via YouTube or streaming sites like Netflix. You don’t have to move or think about anything. Just sit back and enjoy the movie. Make sure you pick something that isn’t too tense, relaxes you, and allows your brain to switch off.
Online games
Many people find online games such as Solitaire a great way to unwind after a long day. Think about your favorite games or things to do, and see if you can find a reputable website where you can play them for free. This is a great way to stimulate your brain in a non-complex or stressful way. Just make sure you don’t pick a game that frustrates you, or one you get competitive with, or it will have the opposite effect!
Walking
Depending on what your daily routine looks like, walking might be the activity that helps you unwind and relax at the end of the day. If you walk slowly, taking in nature and your surroundings, then you might find some calm within yourself. Don’t rush it, and try to find a walk with some nice views. This is a great mindful activity.
Relaxing when traveling might not be something you have thought of, but is something you need to consider adding to your routines. This will help you both mentally and physically, and in turn, you will be able to better enjoy your trips.
