Being home again for a few months has reminded me that as travelers we need to take advantage of our downtime. These resting moments between our adventures can be a great time to kick back and plan new trips. Most people think of travel as a leisure activity or a way to kill time, but when you are a twenty-something, the idea of “adventure travel” is not foreign to any extent. We can easily wear ourselves out, so having some time to binge watch our favorite shows or scarf down our favorite foods can be a good thing. It also gives us time to take care of ourselves and make some money so we can head out again!
I personally have a hard time just taking a month or two to relax—oftentimes I’m still riding a high of the last trip I was on, and it can be hard to switch gears again and coast for a while. As soon as I arrive back “home” (wherever that might be at the moment), I’m planning my next travels.
However, recently after dealing with some very minor health issues, I was forced to take a break and sit back and choose relaxing as a state for a while. I should be all ready to head out in October as planned, but it reminded me once again how important it is to take care of yourself and make sure you are eating right—especially when you are away for extended periods of time.
Knowing what helps to chill out either when you are on the road or at home can help to make your journeys more enjoyable. I love reading about whatever place I am going or delving into a thick novel. Not only is it a stress reliever for me, but it’s a way to travel even when I am not. I know other Generation Y travelers who indulge in Keeping up with the Kardashians or the NFL channel—they choose to enjoy things that are uniquely American before they book their tickets to their next locale. Having some of the comforts of home can help you to feel ready to start putting together another tour through Southeast Asia or that trip into the Alaskan bush you have always wanted to go on. We all need time to take a break—even if it’s from doing what we absolutely love.
How do you find ways to relax either while traveling or at home?
Image courtesy of Jason Spaceman.