Stuck in the daily grind? If you’re trapped in the same routine day in and day out, it can start to wear down on your mental health. The demands of work, school, and even some parts of your personal life often leave us tired and worn out.
Fortunately, taking some time away from it all can do wonders for your energy levels, mood, and productivity! Here are a few tips that you can use to plan the perfect self-care getaway and bring balance to your life.
Connect with Nature
Too many of us spend the majority of our time indoors. In doing so, we deprive ourselves of joy, sunlight, and fresh air. These aren’t just mood boosters — sufficient time spent outdoors actually improves many aspects of both physical and mental well-being.
On your self-care getaway, take some time to connect with nature. Whether that means exploring your local parks or checking out the beaches, focus on making the most of this time.
You can bring a sketchbook, notebook, or camera to document your experience outdoors. This not only gives you more time in nature, but it also allows you to embrace your creative instincts in a no-pressure environment.
Keep It Simple
Time away from your daily schedule can be relaxing unless the trip itself is more trouble than your regular routine. Focus on making your time away as simple as possible. Pack items that will take up little space and save you time. A phone charger is a must-have if you plan on relying on your phone for directions and communications. Select one that will quickly power up your device so that there’s no waiting around for your phone’s battery to fully recharge.
Avoid planning too many outings or excursions on a single day; instead, focus on a free and open schedule you can enjoy to your luxury. That said, you should make a point to schedule in advance anything that’s likely to be booked or exclusive. You don’t want to have to fiddle with trying to make a reservation a few hours out for a tour that’s already booked solid.
Consider Meditation
If you’re up for a true self-care challenge, consider creating your own meditative retreat. This is a great way to make use of connections with nature, people watching, or time spent solo. By focusing on developing mindfulness and centering yourself in the present moment, you’ll be able to shed the anxieties you hold in your regular life.
Not only will this give your brain a much-needed respite, but it will also leave you better prepared to handle your schedule when you return. Mindfulness is a necessary skill for thriving in a modern, busy world. Allowing yourself to practice mindfulness in a low-stakes situation will make you better at being present in your daily life.
Unplug
Finally, one of the absolute best things you can do for a self-care getaway is to unplug for a while. So often, we find ourselves wrapped up in our phones or computers. This constant connection to everyone’s best moments and impassioned rants isn’t great for our mental health. The negativity we pick up online has been proven to reduce our overall happiness.
When you take your time away from the world, do it all the way. Log off of social media, turn off email notifications, and resolve to skip the news for a few days. Anything important will be waiting for you when you come back. You’re better off missing the rest of it.
Plan for Worst-Case Scenarios
It’s exhilarating to plan your self-care getaway itinerary, but you do need to prepare for unexpected events as well, especially if you’re traveling abroad.
For instance, if you’re traveling to Brazil, it’s a good idea to invest in travel insurance just in case you need medical treatment for a sickness or injury. Visit Compare The Market to compare available travel insurance policies.
It’s also constructive to have a plan in place in case of theft. For example, if you’re visiting the Dominican Republic and have your valuables stolen, your family can use a money transfer service to send you cash. A company like Remitly allows loved ones to quickly send you money within minutes for a nominal fee.
Time dedicated to self-care is always time well spent. Taking a getaway gives you a chance to restore your mental wellness, connect with yourself, and reevaluate your daily priorities. Disconnect from your daily life for a little while and come back ready to take on the word!
This is a guest post by Beverly Nelson. To read more of Beverly’s writing, you can do so by clicking here.
Beverly Nelson created StandUpForCaregivers.org, which aims to protect and advocate for the health and well-being of adult caregivers.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
