One of the most difficult things about traveling is having to get back into the mode of working and being productive upon returning home. In the past, my progress and productivity had been derailed by a trip. I scrambled to get everything done that I needed to do before a trip, had a great time while traveling then came back home with almost no motivation to do anything productive. It had taken me weeks to get back to a baseline level of productivity and motivation post-vacation, but I’ve gotten to a point where that is no longer something that I can afford. Travel recovery is something that I need to do quickly, so I can get back to other important things.
As a PhD student, I have a lot of things that need to be accomplished that only I can do. Traveling already takes time out of my schedule, and I need to be able to return to completing tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Recently, I tried implementing some new ideas to speed up my recovery time after a trip to Portugal. About a week later, I not only felt back to normal, but I felt refreshed and ready to take on what I needed to do.
Are you ready to learn how to reduce your post-travel recovery time?
Travel Recovery Made Easy: 10 Tips to Bounce Back
1. Make a list of things you need to do pre-trip well in advanced
Are you a procrastinator? Well… you’re not alone. I am a major procrastinator, and even though I know it creates unnecessary stress, it’s a habit that has been hard to quit. I’ve had to learn the hard way that I cannot procrastinate when preparing for a trip if I want to recover quickly when you return.
Yes, it’s sometimes possible to get everything (or at least mostly everything) done at the last minute before a trip. But do you want to be scrambling to get everything done? Probably not. To start your trip on a relaxed note and to set yourself up for a quick travel recovery, make a list of everything you need to do well in advance.
When you make your list, group together tasks that can be done at the same time and then schedule time to get them done. For example, say you need to go out to buy some things before your trip. If you make note of everything that you need to get, you can get everything in one outing which will save you time. The same goes for things that you may need to order online. If you have a list in advance, you can order everything at the same time which can minimize packages and time spent online shopping.
2. Plan to have at least one full day before having to return to work
If you have limited time, it can be difficult to leave a whole that you could be traveling on the table. But have you ever returned to work immediately after getting home feeling relaxed and recovered? I sure haven’t. Last year, I made the mistake of booking a flight home on Monday at 5 am. I got home just before my first meeting at 10 am, which was not fun. I felt disoriented, exhausted, and my motivation was extremely low.
Since I didn’t allow myself time to rest, unpack, sleep enough, and take care of chores, I slowly did these tasks throughout the week. It was difficult to focus on working, and it took a while to start feeling back to normal.
It may seem like a good idea to maximize your trip, but if recovering quickly is your goal, you would be better off giving yourself a dedicated day to decompress and take care of things that you need to do.
3. Prepare a schedule for yourself when you return
Before you leave for your trip, prepare a schedule for yourself for when you return. It is helpful to know exactly what you need to do when you get home because you will likely be tired and have little motivation. It will help you get back to normal if you can easily do what you need to do with minimal energy.
Planning takes mental energy, and it’s easier to do it when you have more energy. For me, this includes things such as a plan for tackling chores, work tasks that I will need to do when I return, meal prep ideas and a corresponding grocery list, and a couple of workout classes to attend that week.
One resource that I have found very helpful is the meal planning with shopping lists from Jenn Eats Goood. If meal prepping isn’t your thing, frozen meals are another great option to keep yourself fed until things are back to normal. I particularly like the prepared frozen and fresh meals from Trader Joe’s.
Having a schedule for yourself before you leave for your trip will reduce your travel recovery time. You can go on “autopilot” when you return home, and get things done with minimal effort.
4. Have something on your calendar to look forward to afterward
Post-travel blues are very real. Coming back to your everyday life after going on a possibly life-changing adventure can feel monotonous and boring. Adventure doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It is possible to incorporate more fun into your everyday life in between big trips! Think about what you enjoy doing and pick something fun to do. The important part is to not only think about doing something fun, but to plan and schedule it. If it is on your calendar, it will be easier for you to plan around it and prioritize doing something something enjoyable.
I like to go to new cafes, check out new bakeries, see animals, and visit new stores. One thing that I’ve done after a trip that I enjoyed was visiting a local petting farm called The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farms. There were baby goats, lambs, and cats, and seeing them helped lift my spirits.
5. Clean your space before you leave
Cleaning your space before you leave can help your return home feel like a sigh of relief. Your space doesn’t need to be spotless, but cleaning it to a baseline level of cleanliness can make a world of difference. If you are used to things being extremely tidy, then that is what you should aim for. But if you tend to live in a messier space, that is okay too, and you can leave a little bit of a mess.
Your space doesn’t need to be perfectly spotless, but getting it to a point of what you are used to in your everyday life can make unpacking and getting back into the swing of things feel less overwhelming. At a minimum, make sure to clean your dishes, take out the trash, and use, freeze, or discard any perishables that will spoil while you’re gone.
6. Take care of yourself during the trip to minimize post-travel recovery time
One thing that will increase your travel recovery time is returning home exhausted, sick, dehydrated, or injured. It is possible for these things to happen even if you try to take care of yourself during a trip, it is more likely if you don’t try at all. Avoid people who are noticeably sick when possible, be mindful of what and where you are eating, make sure to drink enough water, be cautious, and get enough sleep.
Don’t let the fear of getting sick or injured stop you from enjoying your trip, but do keep these simple tips in mind. It is impossible to ensure that you return from a trip 100% healthy and refreshed, but by taking some simple precautions, you can increase your odds. This can help minimize your travel recovery time and help you get back to peak productivity sooner rather than later.
7. Put your suitcase and things away ASAP
I’ll admit, this is not something that I have done for most of my trips. But I have started doing it lately and it makes a big difference. When you return from a trip, put your suitcase away as quickly as you possibly can. This will signal to your brain that the trip has come to an end and that it’s time to return to everyday life. If your suitcase is out with dirty clothes and souvenirs are hanging out, it will likely make you feel scattered. A clean space will help you feel more put together and ready to take on what you need to do.
Here’s what to do:
- When you get home, empty your suitcase and any other luggage you took with you
- Put dirty clothes with your laundry and put clean clothes away
- Put everything else in its designated spot in your home
- Clean the outside of your suitcase
- I like to wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe then use a magic eraser to get marks off
- Finally, put your suitcase and luggage away
- I still have the dustbag that came with my Away carry-on, and that is where it stays between trips
8. Document and reflect on your trip
The next step in signaling to your brain that the trip is over is to document and reflect on your trip. If you didn’t journal during the trip, this is a great time to write down some of your favorite (or least favorite) memories from the trip. Even if you did journal, there are surely things that you didn’t include and when you get home is a good time to have a debriefing to signal that the trip has ended.
Another thing that you can do to reflect on the trip is to go through the pictures you have taken, pick your favorites, and make a virtual photo album. When I travel, I take waaay too many pictures, and the good ones tend to get lost in the sea of mediocre photos. You don’t have to delete those mediocre ones if you don’t want to, but having a highlight reel can be nice to look back on your trip. It will also be helpful to have this highlight reel ready to share with friends and family when they ask about the trip!
9. Prioritize sleep
Traveling can be very tiring. Especially if you have changed time zones or traveled far from home. You will likely need more rest than you usually need when you return, and that is normal and okay. Allow yourself to rest if you are tired and prioritize getting enough sleep. This will help you feel rested and give you the energy needed to tackle necessary tasks.
When I try to sleep the normal amount that I am used to after returning from a trip, I feel tired and grumpy for days. The following weekend I usually catch up on sleep and I feel much better. Minimize the time you feel grumpy and irrittable by getting enough sleep right away. You will thank me later.
10. Avoid going from 0-100% at work
When you return, your productivity will likely not be at its maximum. If you try to push yourself from 0-100% then you could risk burnout or feeling inadequate for not meeting your own expectations. Realize that it is normal to be less productive than normal in the days following your return from a vacation. If you shift your expectations to ramp up to your normal productivity, it could help you reach your normal level of productivity more quickly.
The top tips to minimize travel recovery time
If following every step on this list feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do everything. The top two tips I would recommend if you are short on time are to take care of yourself during your trip and prepare a schedule for yourself before you leave. Taking care of yourself during the trip won’t take much extra time, and can reduce the likelihood of returning from a trip worn down, sick, or injured.
Preparing a schedule for yourself doesn’t have to take much time. You can even do this while you’re waiting for your flights or while you’re on a plane! Here are some things you can do on the plane: make a list of tasks you need to do when you get home, write a grocery list, plan your workouts, and note what errands or chores you need to do. This can be done on paper or on your phone notes!
You don’t need to spend a lot of time preparing to recover from your trip. Doing some small things can make a big difference.
Conclusion
With some simple steps before, during, and after a trip, you can greatly reduce your travel recovery time. Spending a little bit of time consciously planning and actively recovering from a trip can help you get back on track in other areas of your life after a trip.
I hope these tips have been helpful! If you have any questions or comments, please let me know below in the comments.
