By Caitlin Hornik
You’ve been holed up in your home for months and months (and months). The time has finally come to reintroduce yourself to society and the world at large. Hooray! But you might be feeling a mixed bag of emotions.
Whether you realize it or not, preparing to travel in a post-pandemic world is a bit more complicated than you’d think. With ever-changing safety rules and regulations, plus mask and vaccine requirements, you may find that you’re a bit out of sorts.
To make it easier on you, here’s a helpful guide to caring for yourself in the days and weeks leading up to your glorious first vacation!
Mentally
Many people have reported experiencing some degree of burnout during the pandemic. COVID fatigue was commonly talked about across social media and plenty of advice has been given on how to cope. But hopefully, if you’re getting ready to travel again, you’re feeling pretty good!
However, if you’re experiencing any sort of brain fog— know you’re not alone. Writing checklists is a great way to combat this. Jotting notes in your phone as they come up throughout the day will help you keep all of your thoughts in one place. It’s best to section them off into categories for even better organization. Think “Clothing,” “Toiletries,” “Accessories,” “Documents,” etc. So when you wake up at 3am and remember that you need to throw some sunscreen into your carry-on, you know exactly where to write it down so you won’t forget it.
Emotionally
It’s an understatement to say that we’ve all run the gamut of emotions during the pandemic. As you begin to remerge from the depths of your COVID hibernation, you may be feeling all of the feels. And that is perfectly normal! Hopefully you’re feeling excited and energized by the prospect of traveling again, especially if you’ve planned and are prepping for your first trip!
But if there are some funky feelings hanging around, here’s a tip: Bringing a piece of home with you can provide comfort. This is a good coping strategy and can certainly come in handy if you’re feeling particularly out of sorts after your first travel day. The comfort of snuggling up with your favorite pillow or blanket (or stuffed animal— no judgement here!) is unparalleled and can promote feelings of calm and ease any lingering anxiety. So add that to your running list in the notes section of your phone!
Physically
Many of us have spent the last year glued to our televisions and electronic devices, not always prioritizing exercise. Now that the world is reopening, perhaps you’re finding it easier to get back into the groove of physical activity. How wonderful!
But if you’re concerned about keeping it up while you’re on vacation, plan accordingly. Download some of your favorite online workouts for easy access, write out a day-by-day plan if you really want to stay on track, or simply carve out time each day for a lengthy walk. Moving your body is a great way to help you mentally and emotionally, too!
