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We’ve discussed looking after your health for solo travelling, but what about your well-being? Although solo travel is one of the most amazing and enriching things you can do, it can also be a little lonely and a bit difficult for your mental health and well-being at times. With that in mind, here are 5 tips for looking after your well-being as a solo traveller.
Be organised from the start
Travelling can be stressful, and things can go wrong with flights being delayed or accommodation being sub-par, but the more organised you can be, the better! Try to cut off stress before it even starts by triple checking your flight details, and getting to the airport in plenty of time to avoid panicking and rushing around. Make sure you have more than one copy of any paperwork you need, just in case, and put it somewhere easy to access to help ease your anxiety when searching for it. Reserve your seats to get whatever is best for you – for example, some people might feel a little claustrophobic if they are on the inside, while others prefer to see the window.
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Touch base when possible
There is no shame in feeling a little homesick at times. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a solo traveller; it is perfectly normal to miss some home comforts and especially the people you are used to seeing every day. Luckily, communication is easier than ever before thanks to Skype and other messaging apps. If you find that speaking to your family makes you feel even more homesick, perhaps try sending them postcards instead – you’ll feel like you’re talking to them but won’t be relying on contacting them too much and not enjoying your time away.
Share your worries
Even when you are travelling on your own, you are likely to meet new people everywhere you go. Whether you make a new friend in a hostel, or just unload on to a waitress in a local cafe, being able to share any worries can help you feel a little better. If there is no one around to help you vent, the internet is full of forums where you can chat to other travellers who may be feeling the same way,
Leave some downtime
It can be easy to put pressure on yourself to have an amazing time constantly, but it’s okay to take some downtime to rest too! If you fill your itinerary with too many things you won’t be able to enjoy what you have planned as you will be worrying too much about what’s next! Schedule in some time just to relax, or to do something spontaneous without feeling the pressure.
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Get some exercise
You might not feel like heading to the gym when you are travelling, but going for a walk is a great way to improve your mood. Your body and mind are so linked that you really need to take care of your body if you want to look after your mental well-being too. Get a little bit of exercise in to get those endorphins pumping, whether you do some yoga in the morning or just go for a walk to explore – your body and your mind will thank you!
Your health and well-being are the most important things you have as a solo traveller, so it’s important to take care of yourself. This will allow you to have the best possible time on your travels and really enjoy the experience. What are your top tips for looking after your well-being as a solo traveller? Leave them in the comments.