How To Recover After Vacation

How to Reset and Recover After Travel: 9 Simple, Healthy Tips to Get Back on Track

I recently returned from an amazing two week adventure through Maine and Nova Scotia! As much as I love traveling, I’ve noticed it can sometimes leave me feeling a bit out of sync with my wellness routines. With all the trips we tend to take in the summer, I got tired of feeling off-balance every time I came home.

This past year, I’ve been working on simple ways to get back on track when I get home so I can keep that post-travel glow going! Let’s dive into some of the best ways I have found so far, to support post-travel recovery that I have started implementing!

1. Hydrate for Fast Recovery 💧

Rehydrating is one of the most important post-travel tips. Of course long flights, road trips, and busy vacation days can leave us a little dehydrated in general, but I’ve found that I also tend to consciously drink less so that I don’t have to make as many pit stops to the bathroom. So I strive to make conscious efforts to rehydrate once I get home. Here are a few ideas to up your hydration game…

Water:
This is an obvious and important one to start sipping on as soon as you get home. Add a slice of lemon or a pinch of sea salt to enhance hydration and replenish essential minerals for a natural boost of energy.

Coconut Water:
Coconut water is considered nature’s gatorade. It is an easy way to naturally replace electrolytes. Look for brands that don’t add sugars or other ingredients. My favorite brand lately is this Wild Harvest coconut water that I’ve found at Natural Grocers. It tastes like it has a hint of cinnamon in it that is so delicious!

Juicing:
I try to make an effort to juice greens or my favorite carrot juice because the cool thing about juicing and taking all the fiber out, is that it makes the minerals and all the other good nutrients immediately available to get straight into the bloodstream for the body to use. This is why juicing is also recommended for people with cancer or those who have other chronic conditions. It means the body doesn’t have to work as hard to get all the nutrients out of the food and can instead concentrate on getting the nutrients to where the body needs it more quickly and more efficiently.

2. Order Groceries for a Healthy Return 🛒

Don’t let not having any food at home be an excuse to not get back on the wagon. One of the greatest things to come from the past few years has been the availability of ordering your grocery items for pickup or delivery. So many stores offer these services now, it’s amazing! It’s so easy to fill out your grocery list on the go from your phone while you’re still traveling! So schedule a grocery pickup or delivery with healthy essentials like leafy greens, colorful vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to pick up once you get home. Having nutritious options on hand means you can enjoy fresh, healthy meals as you settle back into your routine—making your post-travel reset that much easier!

Usual Items On My Grocery List After Vacation

• Leafy greens
• Lemons
• Carrots + apples for juicing
• Sauerkraut
• Coconut milk yogurt + berries
• Herbal teas
• Ingredients for simple, easy meals we love while we are unpacking and getting settled at home again

3. Incorporate Probiotic-Rich Foods for Digestive Health 🥬

Have you ever had the experience of having an upset stomach after you’ve travelled? It’s harder to stay on track in unfamiliar places where your food choices might be different than you are used to eating. Eating probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut, kimichi, yogurt and kefir can be another fantastic addition to your post-travel recovery plan. These types of foods can help restore the balance of the good bacteria in your gut, which may have been disrupted during your travels. Simply add a serving of sauerkraut to your meals or enjoy a probiotic-rich smoothie for an extra boost! Easy peasy!

4. Try a Simple Natural Detox After Your Trip 🌱

After enjoying all those delicious vacation foods, a gentle detox can support digestion and help you feel lighter. Here are a few easy ways to promote natural detoxification:

• Warm Lemon Water: Drinking lemon water in the morning can support digestion and give your liver a little boost.
• Fiber-Rich Foods: Include foods high in fiber, like chia seeds, flaxseeds, and leafy greens, for gentle digestive support.
• Herbal Teas for Digestion: Try sipping on dandelion, ginger, or peppermint tea. These teas are known for their digestive benefits and can help ease post-travel bloating.

5. Consider a Coffee Enema for Gentle Detox ☕

Yes! I’m going there! For those comfortable with coffee enemas, this practice can help your body detoxify after a trip. Coffee enemas are known to support liver health and stimulate bile flow, which helps the body detox. And taking care of your liver is super important for so many different bodily functions. So help it do it’s job so it can help you recover and keep you healthy!

If you haven’t done coffee enemas before, and they seem too scary, then you might consider doing a castor-oil pack instead. Simply pour 1-2 Tbsp castor oil on a piece of organic cotton flannel and place over your liver overnight or for a couple of hours. Castor oil packs are another easy, yet gentle support method for your liver.

6. Embrace Gentle Exercise 🧘‍♀️

While it might be tempting to dive back into intense workouts, don’t discount lighter activities to support a smoother recovery. Walking, stretching, or yoga can help loosen tight muscles, especially after long flights or car rides, and boost your circulation without overtaxing your body. Plus, it just feels good!

7. Replenish Nutrients with Greens 🌿

I always feel like I need more vegetables when I get home from vacation (probably because I haven’t been eating as many as I usually do when I’m on vacay!) which is why greens are your friend in post-travel recovery! Leafy greens like spinach, arugula, and kale are packed with vitamins and minerals to support natural energy and digestion. Make a green smoothie, green juice or a large simple salad with your favorite toppings to help your body bounce back.

8. Prioritize Rest and Rebalance Your Routine 😴

One of the best ways to recover from travel is to prioritize sleep. Aim for early nights, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and avoid screen time close to bed. This will help your body readjust and rebalance. Quality sleep boosts mood, energy, and immune function, giving you a fresh start after your adventure.

9. Practice Gratitude for Post-Travel Joy ✨

After a memorable trip, taking time to reflect on your experiences can help you settle back in with a positive mindset. Write down a few highlights or memorable moments. Gratitude can be grounding, and reflecting on your favorite memories helps carry those feel-good vibes back home.

Here are a couple of pictures from my last trip. The fall colors in Maine and Canada were gorgeous! I have always wanted to experience the autumn leaves in New England and Canada and it definitely did not disappoint!

I also got to experience the northern lights for the first time! It was breathtaking!

Also, I’m a beach girl! I love a good California beach as well as a rocky northern coastline! There’s just something special about the ocean! My sister took me to her favorite beach in Nova Scotia to look for beach glass and now I have a handful of beach glass to try and make a fun keepsake to remember this trip by!

Ok, thanks for indulging me about my latest vacation! Hopefully you found these tips helpful and hopefully they will help you have a smoother re-entry to your life after a vacation too!

To your health and healing!