For some people, travel is a breeze. For others, it’s fraught with frustrations. From long check-in and security lines to flight delays, from baggage that takes forever to come out on the carousel to epic traffic standing between you and your hotel, sometimes travel can feel like one ordeal after another.
But it’s important to combat those feelings of frustration and instead, focus on the beauty of travel, the experiences that await and all the things you do, see and learn when you step out to explore the world. And sometimes the easiest way to do that is to just take a deep breath.
In collaboration with Philosophy, I’m exploring all the ways that I take a deep breath when I travel. These are the simple but highly effective ways that I’m able to calm myself when I feel my stress levels start to rise and how I’m able to relax, breathe and remember to live in the moment. After all, that’s what travel is all about!
1 Sunrise or sunset walks
There’s something about watching the sun rise and set each day that calms the spirit. And while it’s hardly a rare occurrence (it happens each and every day!), it still remains one of those magical experiences. No matter where in the world I am, I love taking the time to enjoy a sunrise or sunset. If you’re jetlagged, take advantage of the fact that you’re up early and go for a walk to see the sun come up in a new destination. Or stay out in the evenings to witness an incredible sunset. You’ll get great photos, you’ll create a memory and chances are, you’ll feel considerably calmer.
2 Stay hydrated
When I’m traveling, I find that I can easily get dehydrated, especially on the airplane but also in certain destinations with high altitude or dry conditions. Since staying hydrated is essential for our well-being, I make sure I always travel with a few essentials. To keep my face looking and feeling its best, I am loving the new Take a Deep Breath oil-free oxygenating gel cream moisturizer by Philosophy (Sephora, $49). This silky smooth gel cream uses clean-air technology™ to leave skin feeling restored, refreshed and recovered from the rigours of daily life. I have sensitive skin but this moisturizer is ideal for all skin types. And simply by virtue of its name, I get a daily reminder to stop and take a deep breath each time I use it. Chapstick and lots of water are two of my other hydration essentials!
3 Listen to music
Music has long been a constant companion of mine and when I need a moment to de-stress, sometimes all I need to do is pop on my headphones and let my iPhone do the rest. I recently subscribed to Apple Music and am loving the service because of the extensive access to music that it provides. I love being able to listen to everything from Beyonce to Beethoven, depending on my mood.
4 Stay active
I’ll admit: Hitting the gym when I’m traveling is one of my least favourite ways to stay active. I’d much rather take a hike, go for a swim, take a yoga class or even just take a long walk through a new city. And to stay motivated, I love wearing my Apple Watch to keep track of my activity levels. Recently on Oahu, I walked over 20,000 steps after starting the day hiking Diamond Head. It was a great day for physical activity. It felt great to get my heart pumping and once I reached the top of Diamond Head, I was treated to a spectacular view of Waikiki. That was definitely a moment to stop, take a deep breath and truly appreciate the natural beauty surrounding me.
5 Indulge in a spa treatment
The ultimate indulgence? A spa treatment. Whether it’s a facial, massage or mani-pedi, you can guarantee that a spa treatment will provide just the environment to force you to unplug, take a deep breath and just relax. As far as I’m concerned, there’s never a bad time for a spa treatment but one of my favourite things to do is book a massage just before heading to the airport for a long-haul flight. It calms and relaxes me, prepares me for the journey ahead and provides an opportunity to reflect on the experiences I’ve had on that particular trip.
These are just a few of the ways that I foster mental, emotional and physical wellbeing when I travel. How about you? Leave a comment below and share your best advice or post a photo on Instagram using the hashtag #DontForgetToBreathe.
This is a sponsored post but all opinions expressed within are my own.
The post 5 Ways I Take a Deep Breath When I Travel appeared first on Oh! Travelissima | The Beauty of Travel.
