Your travels were full of inspiration, from beautiful Christmas tree pictures to baking cookies with family members. Now, you’re back home and feeling the holiday hangover. Fatigue, disrupted routines and seasonal indulgence have left you wishing for more energy. Here’s how to get back on your feet and feel rested after holiday travel.
Why Holiday Travel Is Exhausting
Vacations can induce fatigue, even when they involve minimal physical activity. Spending a long time driving, flying or on a train can be tiring. Food can also be one reason for the exhaustion, as you’ve likely eaten heavy meals and sweets. Some families eat a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Experts say this bird contains tryptophan, which can make you sleepy if you eat a lot.
Holiday travel often involves social gatherings, too, whether with friends, family or co-workers. You may feel pressure to be on at all times. Family dynamics could be emotionally taxing, draining your social battery. You’ve already strayed from your routine, so you’re making your body even more tired.
How to Feel Rested After Your Trip
Returning home from holiday travel should help you feel refreshed. However, some people feel more tired than when they left. Here are five tips to combat post-vacation fatigue and get back to your best self.
Reset Your Sleep Schedule
You’ve worked hard since daylight saving time ended to get your sleep schedule on track. However, holiday travel threw you for a loop. Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations involved staying up well past midnight. Now, it’s time to correct these patterns.
Get back to normal by prioritizing a consistent wake-up time. Start your day with sunshine to help your circadian rhythm and cue your body’s sleep-wake cycle. A 2024 Cureus study recommended reducing blue-light exposure before bed to help your mind understand when it’s time to rest.
Rehydrate Your Body
Holiday travel means you’re constantly on the go. Your busy schedule may have led to you drinking less water. Holiday habits can also contribute to dehydration, especially if you’ve consumed eggnog and wine.
Flip the switch once you get home by replenishing your lost electrolytes. Consider drinking a tall glass of water even before you’ve unpacked your suitcase. While H2O is crucial, you could also help yourself with watermelon, cucumbers and other water-rich foods.
Rejuvenate Your Skin
The festive season can put your skin through the wringer. Stress-induced breakouts, inflammation and dietary changes can cause flakiness and dullness. If you have a long flight, your skin may become dry due to the arid cabin atmosphere. Do your body a favor and rejuvenate it.
Begin with a gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and enhance your complexion. It’s essential to be gentle and keep the natural oils intact. Next, give yourself a facial because it extracts impurities from the pores and penetrates the dermis layers.
Get a Light Workout
Trips usually consist of a lot of sitting. You’ve been crammed on a plane or a couch for much of the time, leading to stiffness and achiness. It’s time to get the blood flowing by getting a light workout, whether cycling around the neighborhood or taking a hike.
If you would rather stay home, consider an easy workout. For half an hour, try exercises without equipment like planks and lunges. Yoga could be a more peaceful option to get your mind and spirit right.
Plan a Fun Activity
It’s easy to feel a lull after getting home from holiday travel. You had new experiences and excitement, only to find yourself back in your routine. Instead of letting the post-travel blues get to you, plan a fun activity to perk yourself up.
For example, you could book a massage or a pedicure for relaxation. Your friends are probably curious about your trip, so debrief them over a casual dinner. Try a micro-adventure in your area, whether that involves visiting a new museum or a state park.
Recharging Your Mind and Body After Holiday Travel
Twinkling lights and festive gatherings make the holidays magical. While your heart is full, your mind and body are exhausted. Prioritize recovery with exercise, hydration and mindfulness. You can rejuvenate your physical and emotional well-being with a few simple tricks.
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