12 Self Care Secrets to Have More Fun on Vacation as a Mom

[Ready to have more fun on vacation, Mama? Discover 12 simple self-care secrets to help you have more fun and enjoy traveling with your kids.]

 

You know that feeling of walking in the door after a vacation and realizing that you might need a second vacation to recover from the trip you just took?

Maybe you feel so stressed out trying to get everyone everywhere at the right time with matching shoes on to actually get to enjoy the vacation you worked so hard to plan?

If you have felt this way, you are not alone. I used to feel that way too.

 

 

Ready enjoy your vacation, Mama?

Practicing self-care when traveling with kids is a must. When you intentionally practice self-care while traveling as a mom, you are able to feel calm, have fun, and fully enjoy your adventure with your kids.

Here are some travel self-care secrets that will help you actually enjoy your vacation with your kids!

1. Have Fun Planning

There is so much that usually goes into the planning of the trip before the trip actually begins. From booking the travel arrangements to finding a place to stay, and scheduling activities. Not to mention making sure you pack all the essentials. It can be overwhelming, to say the least.

So, allowing yourself space to daydream can help you enjoy the planning and anticipation of the trip can help to make your trip more fun for you and your family.

2. Pack Intentionally & Be Creative

Bring items along for you and your children that will help you intentionally enjoy the times when you are waiting. For instance, you may find yourself waiting between events or while you are traveling from one place to another.

Here are some ideas for items you can bring along to help incorporate fun activities into the more challenging waiting or transition times during your trip:

  • Books (paper, digital, or audio)
  • Sticker books
  • Activity or puzzle books
  • Coloring books and crayons or colored pencils
  • Card games or other easy to pack travel games
  • Small sewing or knitting project
  • Travel journal and some pens

You may even like to create or find games to do as a family to bring an extra dose of fun to your trip. For example, if you are taking a road trip you can play the license plate game. Or if you are traveling by plane, play a quick game of I spy while waiting at the airport.

3. Let go of Perfection

There are so many moving parts to a family vacation. The chances that everything will go exactly as you planned are slim. But, that doesn’t mean that your vacation isn’t a success.

Loosening your expectations and allowing for flexibility can help you to go with the flow and have fun no matter what your vacation brings.

4. Kickstart your Mornings

Take a few minutes each morning to start your day with intention and self-care. Prioritizing your morning in this way will help you to fill your cup and allow you to feel calm, playful, and energized throughout the day. Grab this Free Self Care Morning Ritual for Moms to help you Kickstart Your Calm Morning!

5. Prioritize

Make a list of the places and experiences that you are really looking forward to and be sure to do as many of those as you can early on in your trip. That way, you get to do and see the things you are really excited about and the rest is just icing on the cake.

6. There’s Always Something to Be Grateful For

Whether things go exactly as planned or not, there is always something to be grateful for. Take time at least once a day to appreciate and show gratitude for the things that you are thankful for each day.

Practice acknowledging the things that do go right and the unexpected beauty that shows up on any given day. You might want to bring along a journal so you can write down the things that are thankful for and bring you joy on your adventure.

7. Allow for Downtime

Often we feel the need to rush around and see all of the sights and visit every possible tourist attraction. Allowing for some downtime creates time and space for other calming activities.

This is a great time to read, take a nap, or incorporate mediation to help you rest up and re-energize yourself for the rest of the day.

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8. Incorporate Movement

Whether you are taking a road trip, flying across the globe, or taking a bus tour around town, there can be a lot of sitting involved while on vacation.

Incorporate movement into your day. Some great ways to do this are getting out in nature and going for a walk. Or do some yoga in your hotel room. These simple travel self-care ideas can be great ways to care for your body during your vacation.

9. Practice Presence

While taking pictures of your trip is a great way to capture memories from your trip, being sure to allow yourself to be present is a wonderful way to fully experience your adventure.

Try to bring all of your senses into play. Notice the sights sounds and smells around you.

Practice being in the moment so you can notice the awe and excitement in your children’s eyes when they have a new experience. Take it all in so you can fully experience and enjoy your trip.

10. Nourish Your Body

Convenience foods often abound when you are on vacation. While it’s okay to indulge while traveling, too much rich or processed foods can cause you to not feel your best.

So, making sure that you find ways to enjoy some fresh whole foods will help you to increase your energy levels, practice self-care, and have more fun while traveling.

 

11. Pause & Check in with Yourself

As a mom may find that your needs often take a backseat. Just pausing to see what you need throughout the day is a great way to bring more self-care into your busy and exciting vacation days. Self-care, especially while traveling with kids, can transform a hectic day into one where you feel loved, present, and calm.

This can be as simple as pausing to take a few deep breaths and make a note of if you need anything in the moment. Then set an intention to take care of your need as soon as you can.

12. Ease Back into Your Regularly Scheduled Program

Your self-care can continue even after you get back home. Sometimes the day after the trip can be the most challenging. Everyone is worn out from your adventures, there is nothing to eat in the fridge, and there is a mountain of laundry calling your name.

If you can, plan in an extra day at the end of your trip for you and your family to decompress, rest, and unpack, so you can ease back into the swing of things before getting back into your regularly scheduled days.

 

Enjoy the Journey

You now have the know-how and tools to bring more self-care to any family adventure. So you can create beautiful memories you and your children will remember for years to come.

Be sure to use as many of these tips and tricks as you can to have more fun as a mom while on vacation.

You are worth it, Mama!

 

 

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