Travel & Recovery Tips
Bring back those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” to reboot yourself and recover from your travels. Have you been traveling much this summer? I have done my fair share. I enjoyed family reunions in the magical forests of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, and in the lush greenery of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Then I was off to the crazy bright lights of Vegas where I presented at the Society for Vascular Ultrasound national conference. I truly enjoyed connecting with family and friends, old and new. That said, this old body was more than ready to welcome coming home.
For some, it takes a while to recover from extensive travel. Many people end up sick with colds when they travel because of exposure to different germs and being out of their normal routine. Years ago, I traveled quite a lot for business and seemed to adapt fairly quickly. This summer, I discovered that, between planes, buses, and rental cars…strange pillows, rich food, and time changes, my body and mind were quite weary by the time I arrived home. There were a few things I did to stay healthy on the road, and I found a few things to help me get back into my groove once I was home.
Travel Tips for the Road:
- Eat a good breakfast – lots of protein will keep you stay energized through the day.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol – they dehydrate and increase susceptibility to illness.
- Drink lots of water – to counteract additional caffeine and alcohol consumption.
- Wash hands frequently – keep those strange germs away.
- Escape from the crowds – a little quiet time is good for the spirit.
- Sleep (or meditate) as much as possible – quiet that busy mind.
- Do something to create a memory – you may never be there again.
While in the Cascades, I saw the expansive ancient volcanic fields. In the Smokey’s I visited Cades Cove where the original settler’s hand-hewn cabins still stand. In Vegas, I saw the Jersey Boys – their music is still traversing my mind.
Even if you do your best to stay healthy while traveling, you often arrive home exhausted, overwhelmed, and feeling like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation. Here are some tips to help you get back into your healthy patterns.
Reboot Yourself – Recovery Tips for Re-entry:
- Allow for some down time – catch up on your sleep.
- Get back into your routine – eat your healthy food.
- Spend some time in nature – regroup, reenergize…and breathe.
- Pace yourself – there will be plenty of time to get caught up again.
- Reset your body – see your chiropractor, massage therapist and acupuncturist.
- Do something you love – kayak, dance, go to the movies – settle back in.
- Smile – think of all the good memories from your travels.
Did I enjoy my travels? Absolutely. Do I want to travel again? Not right now. I am truly looking forward to a “staycation” in my beautiful New Hampshire gardens this month, so I can get caught up on lots of things on my to-do list, and settle all the way back into my groove.
Enjoy these crazy, not-so-lazy days of summer. Read a good book, go for a hike, pick some blueberries, and enjoy the flowers. Soon enough it will be time to rake those leaves.
Many Blessings,
Lois
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