8 Easy self-care ideas (travel size)

Traveling healthy can, mean a lot. It goes from local fruits or vegetables, homecooked meals, healthy local dishes to walking a lot, doing some sports, and so on.

Healthy is not only physical health but also mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health. Just relaxing or laying by a pool might not be enough but also seeing your friends or crying in the shower can do the job.
Here I will give you some easy ideas for self-care to do on your travels.

1) Meditation: 

After a long day of discovering a new place, you might be slightly overwhelmed sometimes. Some meditation to calm yourself can help here. On YouTube, you have a lot of guided meditations or meditation music.

I do prefer some calm, Buddhist music myself.
Important is that you find a relaxing pose for yourself. This can be sitten with crossed legs; laying on your back or anything else that is comfortable for you. Also, a good bath or a shower can help during meditation. The water falling down on you from the showerhead can give some extra relaxing feeling.

When you're comfortable, you play the music or guided meditation you want.
Focus on how your body feels, temperatures from the water or the room temperature, nature sounds in the music, and so on. Switch off any other trigger so you can clear your head.

2) Take a walk in nature:

When you are in a new place, you might have more to discover than a city. A city can be loud, crowded, and overwhelming. Having a morning or day in nature can offer the perfect balance.

I personally can not do longer than 3 or 4 days in q big city. When I travel, I combine sightseeing and hiking every time. It keeps me interested in the city stuff but brings me calm and peace.

When you walk in nature, naming what you see can help to take your mind off things. Nowadays there are also apps that can name plants for you. This can be interesting if you want to know more about nature and what plants are edible.

3) Book a spa or massage:

Going to a spa and relaxing next to a pool, in the sauna, or on the massage table can be just what you need. 
If you stay in a hotel, they might have a good deal for you as their guest. Very often, a big hotel also opens up its spa and wellness for non-guests.

4) Watch the sunrise or the sunset:

Watching a sunrise or sunset, with some good company or alone, having a drink can be a memorable moment. 

I am personally more a fan of the sunset as I am an evening person. After sunset, I love to keep on watching the stars and the moon. Sometimes, the moon can give lovely reflections if you are sitting next to the water.

5) Switch your phone to airplane mode for a while:

Even when we go on vacations, there is always someone that tries to get to us. Switching your phone to airplane mode can be just perfect for you. No calls when you are visiting a museum, trying out that local restaurant, or enjoying a spa.

Putting your phone on airplane mode still allows you to make those Instagram-worthy pictures though.

6) Drink enough water:

Hydration is so important for you. When you are active you need water but also to get rid of all the toxins out of your body.
Drinking water is good for your organs and skin too.

7) Meet new people:

Some people might seek peace and quiet, others love to be social beasts.
Self-care can be going out and socializing. Go to local events, grab a drink in a bar or stay in hostels if you need people around you.

I personally love being around people most of the time. I do travel alone, but it seems to give me more opportunities to meet others.
During my travels, I hitchhike, sleep in hostels, go to campings, attend events, and so on. Like this, I create a network of friends around the world. 

If you struggle a bit with how to start here, look on Facebook for some groups. There are a lot of expat groups or travel groups where people love to meet up. 

8) Let emotions go:

Not showing your emotions is your choice. Although letting them out can give an amazing feeling.
Give the world your biggest smile when you feel happy, or give the shower all your tears when you want to cry.

When you travel, and definitely solo, you will experience a lot of emotions. Showing them and accepting them is important. Are you having a bad day? Switch on those emotional songs when showering, and let it all out. Are you having a good day? Dance in the streets.

Traveling is experiencing things, the world, people, food,... on all levels. Accept the feelings and enjoy the experience you have.

Self-care is something that makes you feel good. There are way more possibilities to take care of yourself while traveling. Important is that you focus on yourself. Find your triggers and stressors, and take care of them.
Don't et anyone tell you how you should take care of yourself, that is up to you to find your way in this.