HEALTH

Ahhh, home sweet home. There's nothing quite like arriving back after a much-needed vacation. Your bags are stuffed with souvenirs, your camera roll is filled with the amaze memories you made and things couldn't possibly be better...

...until you remember how much you have to do. Unpacking your things, getting settled into your at-home routine again, trying to go back to your pre-vacation sleep schedule—let's face it, it can all be kind of overwhelming. Luckily for you, we're here to help. Read on for five tried-and-true suggestions on how to recharge after a trip.

Unpack ASAP

Believe us, we totally get how annoying it is to have to deal with all that unpacking once you get home. That's why it's so much better to tackle it as soon as you can. Put on your fave playlist or podcast and take some time to just unpack (and make sure everything is in its right place). Don't forget to get started on your laundry too. Getting it all out of the way is crucial. Plus, you'll get to wear your fave outfits again way sooner. 

Get moving

Exercising is probably the last thing you'll want to think about after your journey, but it just might be the refresh you need. Ofc, you won't want to do anything super intense, but a mini workout is the perfect way to stay energized. Activities like yoga or stretching will help you get moving, sleep better at night and release any stress and tension after hours spent in the car or on the plane. You could even wrap up your workout with a relaxing meditation to keep the chill vibes going. 

Catch some Zzz's

Whether you went on a cross-country road trip, an international getaway or an adventure somewhere close to home, you'll totally need to revamp your sleep schedule. While exercising is only one way to do that, there are tons of other tricks for you to test out. If you arrive home during the day rather than at night, try to avoid napping and wait until later to start winding down. And as hard as it is to avoid scrolling through social media or turning on your fave movie right before bed, it might also be a good idea to steer clear of electronics during that time. Their bright screens give off artificial light that tricks your body and prevents you from falling asleep more easily. Your new-and-improved sleep schedule will def be worth the shorter screen time.

Make sure you're in the loop

Going on vacation gives you the chance to escape from your everyday life. From any assignments you might have to your job at the ice cream shop, vacay allows for all of your regular responsibilities to take a back seat while you're away. When you get home, it's normal for everything to feel like a lot to handle. Make sure to get updated and see what you missed while you were out of town. Soon, it'll feel like you never left.

Take time to decompress

Traveling can be really tiring. It's def important to get back into your daily schedule and stay organized, but taking time to just chill out and unwind is equally key. This calls for squeezing in some self-care time. Maybe you want to turn your bathroom into a pampering paradise with a spa day shower. Maybe you're more in the mood to curl up with your latest read, or you'd rather just throw on the newest episode of that show you missed while you were away. After all, part of getting "back to normal" means taking some time for yourself! 

Need more travel-related tips? Check out these posts!
✈️ 10 travel essentials you need for your next trip
✈️ 5 tips for going on vacation with your friend's family
✈️ 7 car games for the perfect family road trip

Go anywhere fun this summer? Tell us on Twitter @girlslifemag!

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by Samara Smukler | 9/5/2022