10 Top Travel Hacks to Enjoy The Journey
Let’s face it, whilst we are often reminded that ‘life is about the journey not the destination,’ when it comes to travel, this doesn’t always feel like the case. More times than not, the journey is seen as something to ‘endure’ in order to reach the destination and allow the ‘real’ holiday to begin.
However, what if you could enjoy the journey just as much as the vacation?
What if you looked forward to every step of the adventure, just as you looked forward to the plans you had for your getaway?
Travel can easily be fun, and not just fun, but deeply rewarding, insightful and memorable in and of itself. For those who don’t love the idea of planes, trains, buses, drives and airport hangouts, this article is going to help you find joy in the journey so that you arrive at your final destination feeling as though your time spent in transit has been valuable and nourishing, rather than exhausting and overwhelming (or underwhelming!)
For many of us, we are also stepping back into the world of travel and international adventures again after a two year hiatus. This itself can feel a little unnerving. Whilst some things may be slightly different, there’s really no need for concern. These travel hacks are also intended to keep you calm and relaxed throughout the journey.
Who knows, maybe you’ll come to love the travel as much as the holiday after you adopt our favourite travel hacks!
Track Hack #1 Find your zen zone with meditation
Want to know something pretty handy about meditation? Two things really- firstly, it can be done absolutely anywhere. Secondly, no one even needs to know you’re doing it. Obviously, meditation is not recommended if you are driving! However, any other form of transportation where you are the passenger, meditation is an easy way to drop into your zen zone and enjoy some quiet, mindful, relaxed time to yourself, even if there is hustle and bustle around you.
Before your adventure, make sure you have a good set of headphones, and download a free meditation app- we love Calm and Insight Timer- they have free and paid options. Sit comfortably with a straight spine and eyes closed and allow yourself to sink into a meditation or visualisation. The benefits of meditation are well documented, and whilst travelling, meditation can easily help to reduce stress, boost mood, assist with sleep and switch you into a parasympathetic state where ‘rest and digest’ happens. Try it out and see how you go.
Travel Hack #2 Stay nourished with good food choices
Nothing makes you feel worse when travelling than plane food and convenience food! While there are always healthier options when you search for them, taking your own food and snacks for your trip means you know your body will be nourished along the way.
Think of foods high in hydration like fruits and vegetables and salads. Snacks such as nuts, trail mix, natural corn chips, good quality muesli bars or protein bars. Make sure you stay well hydrated with water and a bonus travel hack is to take some protein powder or some alkalising green superfoods to mix with your water whilst you travel. Even take some tea bags with you that you love so you can top up your favourite herbal tea with hot water in the plane. Natural ginger chews can also be terrific for stomach upsets or nausea.
If you are purchasing food whilst you travel, think fresh is best. Steer clear of salty foods which will dehydrate you further and any processed or fried foods which could trigger digestive discomfort. Stir fried vegetables, simple veggie wraps, fruit salads, avocado sushi, fresh smoothies- all of these can be handy options that are usually available in airports.
Travel Hack #3 Mindful movement
When you are in transit and have time to wander- take advantage of these opportunities. Try to avoid sitting too much at airports for example when you are in between flights or about to board. Wander around the airport, check out the shops, even wander around the food court!
Allowing your body to move will help make the seated parts of the journey that much more bearable and comfortable. When you are on the plane itself, even set reminders on your phone for every hour to get up and have a wander around the isles. Standing and stretching whilst you wait in the bathroom queue can be helpful too (never mind any onlookers- you may inspire them!) Above all, try and stay mobile where you can to keep your blood circulating and your body happy.
Travel Hack #4 Adjust your clock
This is a great tip that comes from a previous blog on our best wellness hacks that you can check out here! Studies show that adjusting your clock to the time at your destination is one of the best ways to beat jet lag. Getting into the mindset and rhythm of your point of travel is a really helpful way to arrive in sync. So, utilise your travel time to sleep if it’s night time at your destination point, and try to be awake through the daylight hours of your destination.
This isn’t always easy if you are travelling through various time zones! However, even just being mindful of the time can mean you know what to expect when you land and there are no surprises! If you can sleep anytime through your journey- sleep is always beneficial. However, if you can avoid landing at night time after a full 8 hours sleep, this will help you avoid staying awake all night and sleeping all the next day! It’s a tricky cycle to break and you don’t want to spend your whole holiday or retreat living nocturnally!
Try downloading this app called Time Shifter. Timeshifter allows you to create your own personalised jet lag plans so you can arrive at your destination feeling your best. The app works on the premise that each traveller and trip is different and requires a personalised approach, taking your sleep pattern, itinerary, and a range of personal preferences into account. The app has revolutionised people’s lives from astronauts to elite athletes to regular travellers. Give it a try!
Travel Hack #5 Put pen to paper
Make sure to add a journal or a notebook and pen to your packing list, preferably in your carry on luggage and utilise some of your plane ride to journal. Travel can always make us feel inspired and reflective. This can be a great time to set goals for your adventure, think about things you may want to see and do and accomplish.
It can also be a time to reflect on what you may want to let go of during your time away and some goals upon returning back home again. You may want to release any stored emotions into your journal which can feel very liberating when you are out of your normal environment. Travel can help us feel free, independent and also offers a rare state of anonymity (if you are travelling solo!) This can open us up to connecting on a deeper, more honest level with ourselves and sometimes real insights can appear in this space. Don’t monitor your words, just let them flow and see what appears. This style of ‘free writing’ can be very insightful, enjoyable and liberating. Arrive at your destination feeling light, clear and inspired.
Travel Hack #6 Get stretchy
Yep, become that strange person that does yoga at airports and in their plane seat! Whether you’re travelling 2 hours or 20 hours, travel can be hard on the body, physically. Take time where you can to do simple stretches- stand on one leg and bend your opposite keen to grab your foot behind you for a hamstring stretch. Stretch your arms and upper back with ‘eagle arms’ (see here!) Stand with your legs wide and bend forwards, or stand with your feet together and bend forwards- this is a great stretch for your back, the back of your legs and your neck (be sure to bend your knees at the start and stand up slowly so you don’t get dizzy!)
Simple stretches in your chair can be helpful- try sitting straight with both feet flat on the ground, then lift one foot to rest on the opposite knee to open up your hip, then swap sides. Even just rolling your neck from side to side then in circles gently is great, especially if you’ve fallen asleep in an awkward neck position!
Travel Hack #7 Sleep like a baby
If you’re planning on sleeping, set yourself up for success before you take off. Invest in a really beautiful eye mask that feels luxurious and comfortable. Make sure you have a good pair of comfortable ear plugs. A neck rest or small pillow will do wonders for you too. Even take some lavender scented essential oil with you to help lull you into a deep sleep. Make sure you take something warm with you, but also dress in layers so you can remove clothes if you are too hot. Our body temperature can really affect our ability to sleep so prepare for all occasions so you don’t find yourself too hot or too cold. Try a simple guided meditation or Yoga Nidra practice prior to sleep to lull you into a blissful state of relaxation.
These few tips will go a long way in helping you get a proper sleep, which is especially helpful if you have a long trip ahead of you (or a noisy flight!)
Travel Hack #8 Escape to written world
Ah, time without the internet- what a blessing! Make the most of the times you have no wifi to sink into a good book (remember those?!) Take time before your trip to research a new book that will keep you entertained and inspired throughout your journey. Of course, if you have a kindle, download some new books before you leave. Think about the mood of the book too. You may indulge in something lighter and more fun for your holiday reading. Or gritty crime novels might be your genre of choice! Whatever you find passes the time in an enjoyable way.
If you like non fiction, try buying or downloading some inspiring books or self-care books that you can enjoy on the trip. In our modern day lives we seem to have very little time to read anymore. So really take advantage of this time you have without distractions and remember the joy of disappearing into a good novel.
Travel Hack #9 Talk to Strangers
Remember before mobile devices and smartphones how we used to talk to people around us that we didn’t know? Shocking right?! Well, travel allows the perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone new. Instead of completely ignoring your plane neighbour for the duration of your trip, say hello, ask them some interesting questions, chances are, you will discover that the world is full of interesting and friendly people that are far more engaging than the ones you more commonly engage with on TikTok!
A real joy of travelling is the chance to meet new people, get outside of your comfort zone, and open yourself up. The simple act of talking to new people can be truly transformational. Even if you just share a plane ride with someone, those momentary connections are never a waste and if you really hit it off with your neighbor, the time will pass much quicker, you may even stay connected – you never know if you don’t say hello!
Travel Hack #10 Just Breathe
Last but not least- remember to breathe. As you will learn in this previous blog we shared on the benefits of breathwork, the quickest and most effective way you can release stress and anxiety is with your breath. Just like meditation, no one else needs to know you are doing any form of breathwork. There are many subtle practices you can enjoy in your own space just with your eyes closed.
One effective method is to simply count your breathing- take a long slow deep inhale and count to four as you inhale, then as you exhale, count to four slowly again. Keep doing this in and out, you can extend the count to 6 or 8 as you get more comfortable with your breathing. Most importantly, make sure you are breathing into your belly, not just your chest.
Another simple practice is to simply place both hands on your belly and feel the belly rise and fall as you slowly inhale and exhale. If travel is something that you find stressful or tedious, these simple breath techniques will do wonders in keeping you relaxed and calm.
Ready, Set, Go….
So there you have it. Your journey will now feel like a mini retreat. In our hectic modern lives, one of the real joys of travel is to simply unplug. If you are travelling solo or with a friend to join us on a Bali retreat, there is no better chance to enjoy some time to yourself, or to catch up with your friend- all without any distractions. Start to think about travel as something truly enjoyable and make the most of these precious moments. Best of all, it makes your holiday feel ever longer if you can enjoy the bookends too.