Exhausted After Traveling? My Favorite Post-Trip Rituals

It happens every time.

Every time I travel, I always run into someone I know.

This time, in Portugal, I ran into three people.

One hid from me. They actually took a picture too. I'll share the picture when I receive it.

The other person, The Latina Traveler, wasn't awkward and actually said hi to me.

The last person also said hi to me, but I don't like him much, so I ran away.

Now this is what I call balance.

I just returned from Portugal, and I'm exhausted.

It's not surprising that travel can really throw off your daily rhythm, so it's important to have a post-trip routine to help you readjust to life at home. 

Here are my tried-and-true tips:

1. Clean your house before leaving: Coming back to a tidy home reduces stress, especially when you're already tired from traveling across the world.
    
2. Stay hydrated: Your body needs plenty of fluids after travel. I recommend drinking water and replenishing electrolytes with sports drinks or electrolyte packets.
    
3. Unpack immediately: Don't let your luggage create clutter in your living space - it only adds to the chaos. This includes wiping down your luggage, doing laundry, and restocking toiletries.
    
4. Take an extra day off before starting work: While I don't always follow this advice (I like to save my PTO!), having a buffer day between your trip and returning to work can make a huge difference.
    
5. Get plenty of rest: Between time zones differences, eating unhealthy food, and busy itineraries, your body needs time to recover. Don't feel guilty about getting extra sleep — it's essential for recovery.
    
6. Embrace solitude: Take some time for yourself before jumping back into social commitments. Even if you feel fine, your body is still adjusting. Limit email checking to essential messages only.
    
7. Seek natural light: This is especially important when dealing with jet lag. Natural sunlight helps reset your body's internal clock and regulate your sleep schedule.
    
8. Treat yourself: Do something that brings you joy or helps you relax, like getting a massage. My personal tradition is ordering takeout for what I call my "Last Meal" before returning to my usual healthy eating habits.
    
9. Be patient: Your body and mind need time to readjust to your regular routine. In my experience, it typically takes about 5 days to feel completely back to normal after a long trip.

Keep traveling, 

Andrew

What post-trip routines help you readjust to life at home?

Cocktail of the Week

The Wine Cola cocktail, often referred to as Kalimotxo or Calimocho, was invented in Spain’s Basque Country in the 1970s. Legend has it that the drink emerged as a clever solution to mask the taste of inexpensive or spoiled red wine during a festival.
 

Ingredients

• 1 part red wine (dry or semi-sweet, inexpensive options work well)
• 1 part cola (any standard cola brand)
• Ice cubes (optional)
• Lemon wedge (optional for garnish)
   

Preparation

• Fill a glass halfway with ice cubes (optional).
• Pour equal parts of red wine and cola into the glass.
• Stir gently to combine.
• Optionally, garnish with a lemon wedge for a zesty twist.

Random Travel Thought

E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!

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The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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