(content by Alex S)
Have you ever gone on vacation – only to find your stress level didn’t fade like you expected? Vacations can be stressful just like any other trip. The key to having a smooth, stress-free vacation is to incorporate self-care.
To make your next vacation smooth and easy, here are five self-care routines to add to your itinerary.
Get a manicure
Being pampered feels amazing. A manicure is one of the best ways to feel taken care of in a luxurious setting. When you get a manicure on your vacation, you’ll feel relaxed and your hands will feel refreshed.
You can get your nails painted if you like, or just stick with a plain and simple manicure. Either way, the experience will leave you feeling relaxed.
To find a nail salon near you, search through popular online business directories like Booksy and Yelp. You can also find local nail salons on niche directory sites like HeyNailSalons and NailSalonsNearMe.
Get a massage
Massages are always a good idea. When you’re on vacation, drop everything and head to a massage parlor before you spend your first night in your hotel.
It doesn’t matter if you drove, rode the train, or flew to your destination – your body is probably holding on to some tension from the trip. Carrying bags, catching buses, and managing belongings is enough to make anyone tense.
If you can, on your next vacation, book a room in a hotel with a massage service on site. That way, you won’t have to drive back to your hotel and you can walk back to your room and go right to sleep.
Try new and interesting self-care regimens
Perhaps you’ve already met a therapy dog at the airport designed to help passengers relieve some stress. While that’s definitely a new experience, it pales in comparison to the self-care therapies you’ll find in other cultures.
For example, many people find Chinese earwax extraction to be an extremely pleasant experience. Popular YouTuber Xiaomanyc happens to be a connoisseur of obscure body treatments and he posted a video documenting his experience with Chinese earwax extraction.
This self-care routine involves more than just extracting ear wax. There’s a pleasure component where they use textured instruments to tickle the inside of your ears and even activate a tuning fork on the instrument so you’ll feel the vibrations inside your ear.
There are many other interesting self-care regimens out there, including:
– Ear candling
– A traditional barber shave
– An Indian head massage
– Back scratching
– Nose waxing
– Mouth massages
– Fire cupping
– And more
Be adventurous and try new things – you might like some of these lesser-known body treatments.
Sit in a hot tub
Hot tubs are amazing for relaxation, but skip the hotel hot tub if possible. Find a place that offers private hot tub sessions for at least an hour. Some places offer outdoor hot tubs with a clear view of the sky.
Hot water relieves aches, pains, and tight muscles. It also opens your blood vessels, which increases blood flow.
If you can’t find a hot tub session in the area, your hotel room bathtub will have to suffice. If you head out to the community hot tub, but you might want to bring some earplugs and a blindfold to tune out the noise.
Find a warm spring for soaking
You won’t find warm springs everywhere, but if you happen to be on vacation near some warm springs, don’t pass up the opportunity to indulge. For instance, the Barnes warm springs are a popular destination in the Oregon desert.
However, don’t go wandering out on your own to find a spring. Soaking in natural springs that get too hot can be dangerous. Always find a reputable company that manages the springs on the property.
In many ways, warm springs are better than hot tubs. They’re naturally formed in the earth, and naturally warmed by the earth. Springs also contain plenty of natural minerals and no chlorine.
Enjoy your vacation: mind, body, and soul
Treat yourself to a good self-care routine on your next vacation. Think of self-care as a necessity rather than something that keeps you from visiting more attractions.
Stress comes from being too busy. Try not to pack too many activities into your itinerary each day. Save some room to relax and unwind. Nothing beats exploring the sights on a good vacation, but don’t forget the self-care!
