It is time to pack your self-care travel essentials! Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, self-care is an essential part of the perfect travel experience.
Travelling can sometimes leave us feeling exhausted and drained. It’s dehydrating to our bodies. We may feel rushed, stressed about the destination, or have too many things to do.
Taking extra steps to care for ourselves is key to enjoying our experience. That’s why we have created a list of 15 self-care essentials you should pack whenever you travel!
What are Self-Care Travel Essentials?
Self-care travel essentials are small tools that travelers may use to maintain mental and physical health. They can be useful in self-care, self-growth, self-expression, self-awareness, and self-protection. We all know the negative effects of travel when unprepared – so it’s really important to pack these 15 things before you go!
A self-care travel essential can be anything that helps you take care of your personal needs during trips. While some may consider traveling a self-care practice for its stress release benefits, here are examples of things that go beyond just traveling.
15 Self Care Travel Essentials
1. Your Favorite Journal
Journaling is a self-care practice that’s easy to continue on your travels. It’s a great tool to use to process thoughts, feelings, and insights. It can be helpful in self-expression and self-awareness – things not all travelers may realize they need. Don’t feel limited to writing – you can paint, doodle or even record yourself speaking out your thoughts!
Writing in your journal can be especially helpful when you feel distracted or unplugged during your travels. Some journal prompt examples you could use are: “What small thing made me happy today?” “Who was I grateful for today? Why?” “What three things did I about myself today?”
2. Meditation Apps
It’s important to practice mindfulness on the road! Meditation apps can help you remain calm and relaxed even when chaos ensues. When you feel overwhelmed, practice calming yourself by breathing deeply and self-reflecting. There are many meditation apps on the market that can help you become more mindful and self-aware – even if it’s just for a few minutes.
3. Dry Shampoo
If you need an extra self-care boost, bring a dry shampoo with you. After a long day of travel and self-exploration, there’s nothing better than self-care that smells good!
You can use dry shampoo to clean your hair without the shower – simply spray the product into your roots, let it absorb all the oils, then fluff up with your fingers.
4. Noise-canceling Headphones/Earplugs
Having a quiet self-care space can be difficult when you’re in a busy, crowded area.
Consider noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to block out all the sounds around you and self-soothe. You can even use them to sleep better at night!
5. An Eye Mask
An eye mask can be a self-care essential for the self-care traveler who likes to sleep with no distractions.
It will help you fall asleep faster and more deeply by blocking out all light.
6. A Jade Roller
Could self-care be any more luxurious? A self-care tool that is easy to pack is a jade roller. Use this essential everywhere you go to feel refreshed and comfortable.
I like storing mine in the mini-fridge to chill overnight to boost the de-puffing effect in the morning. Rub the roller all over your face – it will help increase circulation and lift your mood!
7. Moisturizing Lotion
Keeping our skin hydrated while traveling can be difficult – especially if we’re constantly on the go. If you get dry, itchy skin easily while traveling, consider bringing moisturizing lotion with you to self-soothe your body whenever possible.
8. A Good Book and Podcasts
Sometimes you need to unplug. Bringing a book or downloading a podcast can you help you disconnect from the world around you.
Giving your mind a break from all the stimuli can be rewarding in itself.
9. Fuzzy Socks or Slippers
Whether it’s cold weather or inconvenient flooring, travel essentials like fuzzy socks and slippers are great while traveling.
Socks are an easy item to pack, and they can make all the difference to our tired feet after a long day of travel. It’s a great way to self-indulge: imagine sitting with your feet up and sipping hot cocoa while snuggled in fluffy socks!
10. Hydrating face mist
Now hydration! Even if you don’t like putting moisturizer on your face – keeping a hydrating face mist with you will be great for self-care and travel.
You can use it throughout the day to help boost your mood and comfort yourself anywhere, anytime.
11. Vitamin C serum
Vitamin C serum is magic for brightening up dull skin. It will help keep your skin glowing and healthy during your travels.
12. A Reusable Water Bottle
Drinking water should always be a priority. Traveling is dehydrating, so it’s even more important to care for your body by drinking enough water throughout the day.
Keep a travel-friendly water bottle with you to make it almost effortless, or just reuse an empty bottle if necessary.
11. Your Favorite travel snacks
One of my favorite forms of self-care is as simple as eating delicious food!
If you have any specific travel-friendly gourmet snacks that are your favorite, bring them along with you on your travels. It’s an excellent way of treating yourself.
12. Immune Support
You need to keep your immune system strong and healthy while you travel. Consider bringing Vitamin C supplements with you everywhere you go.
13. Lip balm
Lip balms are brilliant because they are so small and easy to slip into any bag or pocket. Keep them with you whenever possible throughout your travels for an extra little lip care that doesn’t take too much.
14. Body Wipes
Body wipes are easy to pack and perfect for getting off the travel germs when a shower isn’t available.
If you just feel like you need a quick pick-me-up, try cleansing your face and body.
15. Comfy loungewear
Sometimes self-care while traveling is just about being comfortable and lounging around. Do you have a favorite pair of pajamas or cozy loungewear that automatically makes you feel cozy and relaxed?
Bring them along for your next trip so you can relax better after a hard day spent on the road and even sleep if needed!
Final Thoughts
I hope these self-care travel essentials help make your next trip even better! Remember, self-care is super important everywhere, not just when we’re traveling.
Happy Travels!
