We spent over a year at home, staying safe, keeping our distance and doing our part to keep others that way, too. We postponed and cancelled vacations, missed out on long-awaited events and dreamed of being able to hit the road once more. Now that the world is starting to open up, travel is possible, but that doesn’t mean it’s without stress (and maybe even some occasional anxiety). Read on for summer travel tips to make your next trip easier, no matter how far from home you venture.
1. Stick with your routines.
While vacations are a great chance to step outside of your comfort zone, there’s no shame in maintaining your routines when you’re away from home – especially those that relate to self-care and mind-body well-being.
If you always meditate before breakfast, log a few miles each morning or journal at bedtime, keep up your routine on the road. The benefits will continue to build, and you’ll have an easier time getting back into “real life” mode if you kept up with your habits. It’s always harder to restart than to keep going.
At the same time, don’t be too hard on yourself if letting go of some aspects of your routine is the opportunity cost of doing fun new stuff on vacation.
2. B.Y.O.C.
Is there anything worse than bad coffee (except perhaps no coffee)? We think not. Don’t risk it – and instead pack your favorite when you’re away from home. When you sip on Good Morning Sunshine™ Coffee + Adaptogens, your pods not only help you fight fatigue with more than just caffeine.* They’re also ready at the touch of a button and consistently taste great, with organic, fair-trade, single-origin Arabica coffee paired perfectly with ginseng’s floral, spicy finish. Just be sure to double-check that your lodging has a compatible coffeemaker!
3. Bring the essentials.
Beyond your coffee, make sure you pack all the other essentials that have become part of our normal routine. While we hope that some day soon, this one falls off our list of summer travel tips, we do still need to pack masks, hand sanitizer and all those other pandemic essentials.
If you’re taking a long flight, many airlines have specific mask requirements and suggest changing yours every few hours. Pack plenty of extras to avoid last-minute errands!
4. Scale way back.
There are two types of vacationers: Those who want to do everything and those who want to do basically nothing. If you’re in the former group, you might be itching to catch up on all the activities you missed over the last year. But remember this: Your new “normal” activity level might be lower than it used to be. Travel is like a muscle – one that most of us haven’t worked out in awhile. Give it time and take it slow.
Pick shorter hikes that give you more time to stop and marvel at nature. Heading to a city? Choose two “must-sees” a day, with a lunch break or some “me time” scheduled in the middle. Don’t sweat it if you can’t do it all and see it all. Travel has a way of throwing us curveballs, so don’t add more stress to your trip. (If you’ve been keeping up with your adaptogens, you know all about how they work over time to help you adapt to whatever stress comes your way.)
5. Talk about your boundaries.
Whether it’s a family reunion or a girls’ weekend, your travel likely involves seeing people outside of your household for the first time in a long time. Exciting as that might be, we’ve fallen into firm routines and habits – and everyone has their own comfort level with regards to social distancing and such. Don’t wait until you’re all together to talk about whether you are comfortable dining indoors or going to crowded events.
Voicing your boundaries ahead of time can help you avoid uncomfortable situations when everyone is hungry, but you’re split on whether to dine inside or out. That could be as simple as sending an email to the group saying:
Hey, all. I’m so excited to hug you all again. I wanted to let you know that our family is still sticking with outdoor dining only, but I’ve looked up a few restaurants that will work for our group. Can’t wait to try them!
6. Lower your expectations.
We’ve all seen the memes about how 2020 made us all feral hermits who forgot how to socialize. Cut yourself some slack when you start doing things like talking to servers, driving on unfamiliar roads and using public transit again. We’re all beginners right now, so take a deep breath, lead with kindness and when all else fails, laugh at your awkwardness – we’re all in the same boat!
If you’re heading to a place you know well, keep in mind that our “normal” might not ever look the same. Focus on what you do have or what’s new. This is one of the best summer travel tips to avoid unnecessary stress and disappointment!
7. Plan an exit strategy.
If you find yourself in a situation that you’re not ready to navigate – like a crowded store, dinner inside, etc. – give yourself permission to leave if you’re uncomfortable. You are in charge of your own well-being, and if you aren’t at ease in a situation, you can excuse yourself. You certainly aren’t alone in feeling this way – and no one will judge you.
8. Opt for wide open spaces.
You might have read that rental cars are scarce and some national parks now require reservations. Even with those new developments in place, the good old American road trip and other travel that involves the great outdoors are safe bets this summer. You can enjoy a change of scenery, spend quality time making memories with loved ones and enjoy all the benefits of nature. Everyone wins!
9. Prioritize R&R.
The final of our summer travel tips might well be the most important! While you can’t “catch up” on sleep if you consistently fall short, vacations are a time when most of us love to rest more and worry less. “Staying home” hasn’t been synonymous with “a good night’s sleep” for a lot of us. Use vacation as a chance to carve out more time for a healthy bedtime routine. Even though you’re in a new place, which can sometimes make sleep a bit more challenging, you have time on your side – and likely fewer obligations that’ll keep you up!
Don’t leave your sleep routine to chance. Be sure to pack your Hello Dreams™ sleep strips with Melatonin & Calm Down™ herbs. They take up no space at all, even if you’re a “carry-on only” kind of person. Plus, the cool minty, herbal strips melt away with no water needed (unlike that clunky jar of capsules that could break in your suitcase). These sleep strips are a must-have for summer travel!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.