Travel can silently eat you up on the inside. The long sitting hours! Broken routines! New surroundings! Constant stimuli! Name it all. This can leave you mentally exhausted. Even pleasant trips can leave you stressed and disoriented.
But this does not imply that you should not travel. However, you should control it so that you can remain calm, focused, and present. Here is how to achieve that.
Prepare your nervous system
When organizing a trip, you concentrate on major things like:
- Logistics
- Flights
- Hotels
- Itineraries, etc.
However, your nervous system should be taken into account as well. Hurrying from one place to another keeps your body on a high alert. This ultimately makes relaxation difficult later. Therefore, allow some buffer time during transitions and long journeys.
Consider basic things such as:
- Being punctual
- Sitting in a seat with more legroom
- Splitting long commutes into parts.
This can alleviate background stress.
Manage jet lag with light and timing
One of the largest problems in traveling across time zones is jet lag. You can never get rid of it. But you can minimize the effect. This is possible by influencing your body clock.
During the day, seek some sunshine exposure. This resets your circadian rhythm. In the evening, use dim lighting. This will indicate that it is your time to relax.
You should have meals and sleep according to the time of your destination as soon as possible. You might not be getting a perfect sleep. But this will help your body adapt faster.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness does not need long meditation. Nor does it require a special environment. When traveling, it can be as easy as:
- Taking deeper breaths during a flight
- Noting the physical sensations in a new environment.
Slow down your breathing when you feel stressed. Then pay attention to what is around you. It could be:
- Your feet are on the floor
- The seat you are sitting on
- How your breathing feels.
These little acts of consciousness can break the tension cycle. This will put you back on track.
Pack intentionally
Carry some of the common things that make you feel at home. This could be a:
- Sleep mask
- Your water bottle
- Noise-cancelling earbuds
- A journal.
These products do not occupy much space and can significantly contribute to comfort.
Some travellers also incorporate sensory products that induce relaxation. For example, you can carry a portable diffuser. Then, activate it in a hotel room or personal areas. This helps to establish a feeling of familiarity and relaxation. Just be conscious when using it in shared spaces.
Be flexible to conserve your energy
Travel does not always work out as intended. The experience includes:
- Delays
- Noise
- Unplanned changes.
Do not struggle against this reality. Instead, conserve your energy by:
- Taking short breaks whenever you can
- Hydrating adequately
- Resting without feeling guilty.
Wrapping up
Remain calm and focused when traveling. These small conscious decisions will help you to take care of yourself, wherever you are.