where to ?

Self-Care
Travel Guide

Welcome to the ultimate self-care travel guide, designed to help you to better nourish yourself on the road. It's full of actionable strategies and will help you plan anything from day trips to weekend getaways, & beyond.

It's a self-care guide for the modern traveler.

There's a reason self-care is growing, we all need it.

Modern life is busy.

Schedules are jam packed and the constant buzz of your phone can be draining. With daily obligations and commitments, it can be easy to lose sight of well-being, whether you are at home or traveling.

Yet as we all know, taking time to care for ourselves makes a world of difference. Nourishing the mind, body, & soul builds energy and helps us to thrive. It helps us to live our best lives.

Not only is self-care something we can practice during travel to enrich our health, well-being, and experiences, but I believe travel itself is a wonderful form of self-care. Don't you agree?

If you book or purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. However, we only recommend things we believe in & even use.

Ready to live & travel well?
Dive into this self-care travel guide & get inspired!

MIND

Build your toolkit to manage stress and promote mental well-being.

BODY

Make sure your body is well nourished.

spirit

Deepen your connections with
yourself & your higher power.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care is an active & intentional choice to engage in activities that support health & well-being, and an important part of wellness.

We're all looking for ways to make our days better & brighter, and it's self-care that gets us there.

While there are loads of ways we practice self-care everyday, no one can deny that travel is among the best of them!

So, self-care is worth prioritizing both at home and when we travel.

Whether you want to plan a full-on wellness travel trip or simply want to add a few healthy elements to your vacation, these ideas are for you.

Because let's face it, we can all benefit from some more wellness in our lives !!



Travel is an ideal time...

Travel provides an ideal opportunity to infuse activities that support & recharge the mind & body. It's a break from the every day.

To prioritize self-care...

Having a few practices, routines & rituals will give you increased energy as well as make the experience more enjoyable, connective & transformative.

If you're not sure how...

The key to self-care is actually quite simple, taking small actionable steps throughout the day.

Travel As Self-Care

While there are loads of ways we practice self-care everyday, no one can deny that travel is the best of them! 

Travel just checks so many boxes and is beneficial for all parts of health; physical, emotional, mental, social, & spiritual. 

It's fun and engaging. As well as a great escape from the daily grind, a chance to digitally detox. 

Exploring opens your mind and expands your horizons, making it a game changer for personal growth. The natural curiosity that blooms from travel enlightens our passions, which brings more joy and a better sense of well-being.

For my money, travel is one of the most empowering & engaging forms of self-care around. Travel provides an ideal opportunity to infuse activities that support & recharge the mind & body. 

why we need it...

The Benefits of Self-Care

There are endless benefits of self-care. First & foremost, it keeps you healthy.

Second, self-care can improve your energy. Which is something we all want more of in life.

It can also improve your mood & reduce stress! Which is a win win.

What I love most, is that practicing self-care gives you a break to clear your head.

ANd of course, self-care helps you relax, reboot & recharge. So you can fully engaGE WITH LIFE!

How to Incorporate
Self-Care into Travel

Consider starting a self-care travel plan by first addressing the fundamentals; diet, sleep, exercise, & stress.

Then add in other practices and rituals that support your overall health needs. Self-care doesn't have to be fancy, expensive or even time-consuming.

Just think about all of the small things that lift your mood or make you feel better. Those that improve your sense of well-being.

Most importantly, listen to you body and give it what it needs. Your body is speaking to you all day long, telling you what it needs to keep healthy, comfortable, and happy. Just listen.

things to consider
When you

Build a Self-Care Plan

think about small things you can do, then spread them throughout the day.

Plan Ahead of time. Write down your goals, set alerts & mark the calendar.

Have a quick go-to activity for when you are feeling stressed.

Prioritize! Decide what really matters for your trip.

Be Flexible. If your needs change, scale back or make adjustments.

While there are seemingly endless ways to take care of yourself on the road, below are a few ideas to help you personalize your own plan.

Remember, self-care doesn't have to be fancy, expensive or even time-consuming. It just needs to be doable :)

Below are some tips that will help you whether you're taking a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a long vacation.

Since the only expert in self-care is you, take what ideas might work from this self-care travel guide and incorporate them into your travel routine. 

Leave the rest for another day, or another trip so to speak :)

Self-Care Travel Tips

Work In Exercise

* Take a mindful photo walk 
* Plan an outdoor pursuit
* Climb to a bird's-eye view
* Stretch before bed



Sleep Well

* Pack headphones & earplugs to manage distractions 
* Pack a pillow & wrap for long haul flights
* Take a hot bath or shower before bed
* Fall asleep to relaxing music or nature sounds

good for the
Mind & body...

Eat Healthy

* Eat lots of fruits & veggies
* Enjoy local food- it is typically fresh, seasonal & yummy
* Eat mindfully- tune into sight, smell, taste & texture
* Strategically splurge

If you are looking for more movement ideas, read 12 Ways to Stay in Shape While Traveling.

And if you like hikes, check out The Blog .

Recharge your energy with
nourishing food.

One of the more meaningful aspects of travel is the opportunity to connect with others. It's an engaging way of learning about the world and it's supports well-being. 

You meet all kinds of people when you travel; locals, other travelers, workers. Personally, I've had some memorable conversations in the back of a black cab traveling across London. Or while stopping to take in the beautiful views while hiking The Dolomites.

Chatting a fun way to see what it's like to live in another person's shoes. You can see the world through their eyes,  which develops empathy and understanding & builds collective bonds.




Meet & Connect With Others

Create Calm

* Plan ahead of time & make lists
* Build-in added time around transportation
* Take a few deep breaths
* Do yoga (somewhere beautiful if you can)

Detox From Your Device


* Start your morning tech-free
* Turn your phone off & explore for a while
* Leave the tablets/laptops at home
* Pause & take in the view without your camera

just think... this could be you!

Connect With Nature

Give you mind some space to breathe.

* Have lunch or a picnic in the park
* Take a hike
* Go on a boat ride
* Visit a historical site with a garden

Take a break from the digital world, you'll feel so much better.

Plan to minimize stress & take time to cultivate a sense of peace, it's worth it!

Read More: Digital Detox Travel Guide

Ahhh....

Be Mindful

* Pause
* Slow Down
* Close Your Eyes
* Really Listen

Practicing Mindfulness is a simple way to enhance your experiences and foster well-being. 

Treat Yourself

* Indulge in a fine dining experience
* Buy a locally made souvenir
* Have a drink with a view, even if it's expensive
* Give yourself time to do nothing

Go on, make some memories!

Read More: The Ultimate Guide To Mindful Travel

Get Out of Your
Comfort Zone

There's no doubt about it, travel can push us out of our comfort zones. It's ripe with opportunities to build our confidence and become more aware.

Really, what better way is there to learn and grow than taking a break from your daily routine and trying something new, different, or challenging.

It's how we really learn about ourselves. And that's a gift!

Pack A Self-Care Kit

Packing a few items to take on your travels will help keep you balanced & on track. Don't forget to bring your "thing"!
You know that one thing that makes the biggest difference to your well-being. And be sure to include a few small & lightweight "tools" that make you want to practice!

Here are a few things I seldom leave home without. If you're interested,
you can help support the blog by purchasing these products through the amazon affiliate links below:



-  Lavender Essential Oil Roller (relaxation/perfume)

-  Mini  4 x 6 Journals (photo notes & journaling)

-  Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bar  (better for the planet)

-  Yeti Tumbler (car trip)

-  Mini Buddha Board (mindful drawing on the go)

-  Collapsable Water Bottle with Carabiner (hiking)

Self-care is a way of life.

It's about tuning into your body & taking the time to nourish it properly. It's about inching closer and closer to a life of energy & joy. And that's a life worth living! 

Happy & healthy travels wherever you may roam.

Explore how to transform your health & well-being...

Use this simple (and free) Wellness Travel Planner to plan your next trip. Because you deserve to thrive!

 through travel.

GET IT NOW

More Self Care...

Here are a few tools to help your keep self-care on the front burner. 

10 Engaging Ways To Practice Self-Care While Traveling



Grief & Travel: Practical Tips To Help You Cope On The Road

5 Nourishing Mind & Body Travel Tools