Exhausted after travel
Dear Trellis,
When I travel, whether for a conference or on vacation, I return home exhausted and depleted. It’s hard to get off the couch and life feels unbearably difficult. I should be feeling relaxed and refreshed and ready to reengage with life, but I can’t find my brain! What is happening to me and what can I do about it?
- Exhausted in San Francisco
Dear Exhausted,
Traveling can be one of the most wonderful and exciting experiences on earth, but for many, returning home feels worse than if you’d never traveled at all.
Why do you feel exhausted after travel?
There are a bunch of reasons why you feel worn out after traveling, whether it's for a conference or vacation. The most common reason is simply the physical demands of travel. Air travel, in particular, is taxing on the body. Sitting in cramped seats for long periods of time, dealing with jet lag and changes in time zones, the dryness of the plane, and navigating unfamiliar surroundings all take a toll.
Another factor that contributes to post-travel exhaustion is the emotional and mental stress that comes with travel. Whether you're attending a conference or exploring a new city, travel can be fun and fulfilling, but also overwhelming and stressful. You are outside of your comfort zone trying new things. You might be constantly on the go, trying to pack as much as possible into a short amount of time, or you might be dealing with unexpected challenges, like delayed flights or lost luggage, that spike your stress levels.
And don’t forget—travel disrupts your daily routine, which can leave you feeling off-balance and drained. You are probably not be eating as healthily as you normally would, you might not be getting enough sleep, you might be enjoying an extra cocktail. Even small changes to your routine can add up and leave you feeling drained.
What can you do to combat post-travel exhaustion?
While there's no magic cure for post-travel exhaustion, there are several things you can do to help your body and mind recover more quickly.
1. Give yourself time to rest and recover and stop “shoulding” on yourself
One of the biggest mistakes people make after traveling is jumping right back into their normal routine. Instead, give yourself a day or two to rest and recover. This might mean taking a day off work or simply giving yourself permission to lounge on the couch and do nothing. Don’t give yourself a hard time thinking you “should” be better or fine or feel refreshed when you don’t. This adds an extra layer of negative thinking to overcome.
2. Get back into your normal routine as soon as possible
While it's important to rest and recover after traveling, it's also important to return to your normal routine as soon as possible. This helps re-establish your normal sleep and eating patterns, which will help you feel more energized.
3. Hydrate
Dehydration makes you feel sluggish and tired, so make sure you're drinking plenty of water both during and after your trip.
4. Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you feel more energized and can also support your immune system, which can take a hit when you're traveling.
5. Get some exercise
Exercise is a great way to boost your energy levels and help your body recover from the physical demands of travel. Even something as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood can make a big difference.
6. Practice self-care
Finally, don't forget to take care of yourself. Whether that means taking a relaxing bath, reading a book, or spending time with friends and family, make sure you're doing things that make you feel good and help you recharge.
Post-travel exhaustion is common, but there are things you can do to help your body and mind recover more quickly. By giving yourself time and mental permission to rest and recover, getting back into your normal routine, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, getting some exercise, and practicing self-care, you can help alleviate the symptoms of post-travel exhaustion and get back to feeling like yourself again.
- Rebecca