Traveling can be such a hectic time, we get so caught up in our vacation that our health sometimes gets put on the back burner. When you get home you realize you’re exhausted, you can’t remember the last time you had a ‘real’ meal and your skin is dry and flakey from being ignored. Taking care of your body after you travel is important to getting back in sync with your home life. To get your recovery stage started check out the list below.

Sleep

It can be so tempting to just fall into bed and ignore the clock, but getting your body back on track means sleeping the right way. Lack of sleep is one of the easiest ways to throw your body off, sleep is an important part of overall health and without a regular sleep schedule your body will start to become unhappy and unhealthy.

• Take a power nap instead of full on going to sleep, especially if you’re adjusting to time zone changes. Turn off electronics and put aside any distractions to fall asleep quickly.
• After your initial nap focus on maintaining a regular schedule for a few days until everything is back to order, set alarms if necessary. Your goal is to naturally start waking up at a reasonable hour and going to sleep on time.

Eat Real Food

You’re home now, it’s time to start eating like a real person again. No food to go from colorful wrappers, your body needs something natural. Not only do real foods nourish your body but they can also ease post-vacation stomach trouble.

• Snack on fruit- apples, bananas and oranges can all work wonders for your body and eating fruit is a great way to curb those cravings for a sugary snack.
• Focus on getting vegetables like leafy greens back in your diet if you tend to go overboard when vacationing. Your body will thank you.

Listen to Your Body

Our bodies are pretty good about letting us know when something is wrong, so checking in with yourself after traveling to see how you feel is a pretty good way to get back on track with your everyday life. Pay attention to what you’re feeling, look for any aches or pains, any headaches or signs that things are less than perfect.

• Take a few minutes to yourself in a quiet room without distractions and run through a little checklist with your body. Try to notice any signs of sickness after your trip, being in close quarters with so many people (like the passengers on your booked flight) can put you at risk. If you’re feeling extra cautious you can try giving your body a boost of vitamin C, just in case.

Skin Care

Different climates and weather patterns can wreak havoc on your skin, getting back to normal after a trip takes some extra attention. Skincare is probably the first thing to go out the window during vacation. While some hotels focus on having quality towels for their customers, some people beg to differ. If you happen to forget these kinds of essential items while on your trip, your skin may be lacking the attention it so importantly needs. Therefore, knowing what to pack for a trip and how to take care of yourself when you return can make a big difference in post-trip recovery time.

• Moisturize and hydrate: Your skin needs moisture to thrive, that means internally and externally. Make sure you’re drinking enough water and be sure to slather on your favorite moisturizing face cream after you shower.
• Use lip balms with SPF to soothe and protect your lips, they need care just as much as the rest of your face.
• If your skin was exposed to extreme conditions like excessive sun, cold or wind it can’t hurt to look into some skin products geared specifically towards those problems. Aloe Vera is an easy way to soothe your skin.
• For your next trip you may want to purchase your own travel size products, the cheap one’s hotels offer are often not enough and aren’t the same quality as your usual products.

Stay Active

Even though you just got home and might want a few days to do nothing before jumping back into the routine, staying active is an important part of being healthy. Exercising also helps keep your sleep schedule on track by tiring you out every day.

• Go for a walk, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Anything that gets you up and moving is a good place to start. Go check the mail and then take a stroll through the neighborhood.

Whenever you travel it’s important to take some time to care for yourself. Keeping your body in tip top shape and focusing on your health means you’ll have many more vacations for years to come.

Author: Kacey Mya Bradley is a lifestyle blogger for “The Drifter Collective”. The Drifter Collective is an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us.

Throughout her life, she has found excitement in the world around her. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations, cultures, and styles, while communicating these endeavors through her passion for writing and expression. Her love for the world around her is portrayed through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.