5 Ways to Stay Regulated While You Travel
Travel is so fun & expansive, and at the same time it can be very dys-regulating.
The actual travel itself (being on a plane, train, bus or car) can be taxing on the body. Physically being confined to a seat for a prolonged amount of time has consequences, as does the mental/emotional stress of getting from one place to another as smoothly as possible.
Then once you get to where you're going there is all the excitement of exploration alongside the potential stressors of navigating a new place and being in a new environment.
I have found that travel requires flexibility, problem solving and patience. Things rarely go 100% according to plan. In these moments it is important to be able to stay grounded and centered. This requires a nervous system that is able to handle the unexpected.
Coming from a regulated state allows you to be more adaptable in the face of physical, mental & emotional stress. Which then allows you to actually relax & enjoy your vacation!
So what can you do to support your system in being able to stay regulated?
1) Touch the Earth ASAP - When you get where you are going find a way to physically connect with the earth, such as putting your bare feet on the ground or getting into a natural body of water. This helps sync your circadian rhythm with your new location and is especially important if you are in a different time zone.
2) Hydrate with electrolytes - I highly recommend taking electrolytes with you as you travel. This will help prevent jet lag and make sure you stay optimally hydrated so that your body can be resourced, even if you aren’t able to be drinking water all day long. My favorite are LMNT!
3) Have your self care practices handy - When I am traveling I don’t tend to stick to my full morning routine of stretching, journaling, meditation and breathwork. However, I do always bring my headphones and a journal with me so that if I find myself in a funky, anxious or disconnected state I can easily turn to one of my practices.
- Popping in my headphones and listening to a short guided meditation or simply setting a timer and breathing deeply for several minutes usually gets me feeling better right away.
- I also love to journal so if my mind is too busy to sit still I will just start writing. Even 5 minutes of journaling can turn things around!
- For breathwork I use The Breath Channel. It is full of quick and supportive breathwork practices to help shift my energy.
- And lastly, stretching always helps me get into my body and loosen up, both physically and mentally. Roll out your neck & shoulders, do some cat/cows, even get on the floor and do your favorite stretches!
4) Recognize your needs - When you are traveling and you find yourself overreacting to a situation or generally not feeling your best, stop and take inventory, “what needs aren’t being met right now?”. Are you hungry? Are you dehydrated? Are you tired? Are you feeling unheard? Do you need to rest? Do you need to stretch? Do you need to move your body? Do you need to say something?
In these moments it is helpful to be able to turn inward, assess what you are feeling and what you are needing, then communicate those needs and find a way to get those needs met. It is amazing how much can change when you go from being hungry to fed or from being unheard to understood!
5) Be present! - Soak it all in! Really savor your time exploring, relaxing, traveling and being somewhere new. I highly recommend disconnecting from social media or using it very sparingly so that you can be as present as possible in your experience. The same goes for leaving work behind and not letting your mind ruminate about things waiting for you back home. Live in the now & make the most of your time away. Enjoy!
Bonus: Make sure you visit your chiropractor right before your trip and right when you get back! A well adjusted spine facilitates a more resourced & regulated nervous system 😊