Self-care while travelling
In autumn, the air becomes cooler, and nature shows its warm colours. It's the perfect season to go out and enjoy nature during an autumn trip. Get to know yourself better by visiting new places, taking on challenges, and connecting with others. Travelling provides an opportunity to meet new people, share each other's stories, and broaden your worldview. While exploring the world, especially in this cold, rainy season, it's important to take good care of yourself. We're here to provide you with tips for a relaxing trip.
Meal Prepping
Take care of yourself by preparing healthy meals for your trip. Think about soups, autumn salads, and stews. Also, bring along some healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and granola. Preparing meals will not only save you time but also helps you make more conscious choices about what you eat. You can prepare more dishes than you might think. For example, you can cut lasagna in smaller pieces and freeze it. The same goes for pasta sauces, chili con carne, and soups.
Walks and Exercise
Stay active during your autumn trip by taking long walks or bike rides. Explore trails near your destination and breathe in the fresh air. Engage your senses with the scents, colours, and sounds of the season. Walking and biking are not only beneficial for your physical health, but also for your mental well-being. If you're looking for a more challenging activity, consider trail running where you run on hiking trails.
Morning Outdoor Time
As the days get shorter, there's also less sunlight. The reduced natural daylight can disrupt our biological clocks during these dark days. Our bodies produce melatonin (the sleep hormone) earlier in the day, to make us feel tired. The lack of light can also cause a sense of sadness in many people, since sunlight has a positive effect on serotonin (the happiness hormone) production. Therefore, you should try to go outside when it's daytime and make the most out of these moments.
Meditation
Spend some time in silence, preferably in the natural surroundings if the weather allows it. Find a quiet spot, sit comfortably, and close your eyes. Inhale the fresh autumn air and exhale the stress. Meditating in nature can help you regain your inner peace. However, the beauty of meditation is that you can do it anywhere, as long as you take a moment to be in silence.
Reading
A good book can be the perfect addition to your autumn trip. Take a book you've always wanted to read and find a comfortable spot for yourself. When you read, your breathing naturally slows down. As a result, your heart rate decreases, and your blood pressure drops. Reading is a good way to relax and lose yourself in another world.
Doing Absolutely Nothing
People often have a tendency to fill their vacations with activities. After all, you're only there for a couple of days. However, the art of a relaxing trip is to leave plenty of room for relaxation in your travel schedule. By relaxation, we mean "doing absolutely nothing". Enjoy a hot cup of tea while watching the rain or sit by a crackling fireplace and relish the warmth. Taking moments of rest allows you to clear your thoughts and reconnect with yourself, ultimately returning home with more energy.
Essentials for Self-Care
Ensure that you bring along some essential items to take care of yourself during your autumn trip. Think of comfortable clothing, a journal for noting your thoughts and experiences, a travel blanket, a first aid kit, and, of course, your favourite autumn snacks. Don't forget about a good skincare routine, especially in autumn. The temperature drops and humidity levels decrease, which will cause to dry out your skin. This can lead to drier skin. Therefore, use gentle hydrating skincare products in autumn. Don't skip cleansing your skin. Taking care of your skin also helps to a relaxed and well-cared-for feeling.
Autumn is all about balancing your body and mind. By walking, meditating, reading, eating healthily, and surrounding yourself with comfort, you can truly enjoy the season. Take good care of yourself and turn your autumn trip into an unforgettable experience full of relaxation and self-care.
"Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination."