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5 Ways to Practice Self Care While Stuck in One Place
Written by Kayla Christian | July 28, 2020

As a solo traveler who spent 3 months on the go at the beginning of 2020, I can definitely say my mental state & overall well-being have not been the same since being stuck in isolation. If you’re someone who also thrives on adventure, loves to travel and experience new cultures, and had to cancel or postpone your travel plans, keep reading– this is for you.
There’s a reason the flight attendant says “you must put on your own mask before helping others”. Caring for yourself is essential!
Self-care is something that is often misunderstood. It is not just treating yourself to a manicure and calling it a day. It’s prioritizing yourself and incorporating activities in your day that will boost your physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. We all should integrate self-care into our daily routines.
So, here are five ways to practice it while you’re feeling stuck in one place.
1. Bring Your Destination to You
Leisure is a big factor in your health, happiness, and life satisfaction.
A few months ago, my sister and I started a restaurant night once every week, some of which featured a particular destination’s cuisine. For example, we made air fried tostones to honor our Puerto Rico theme.

I learned about tostones while in Puerto Rico for a duration of my solo travels. My housemates and I, who are from Puerto Rico themselves, often enjoyed what are fried plantains along with spicy mayo ketchup.
Food gives people the opportunity to share culture, and although you might not be able to experience it authentically, making the food yourself can be a great way to learn more about a culture and combat your travel bug.
Who knows, maybe you’ll find the cooking part therapeutic and form a new hobby.
2. Move Your Body
Moving everyday has significantly improved my own health. My top three are: yoga/stretching, walking, and biking. Pick something you enjoy, or try out something new!
Also, getting outside is like free entertainment, therapy, and a good source of vitamin D. If this is an option for you, get outside and move your body. If it’s not, find an area in your home and designate it as your movement spot.
3. Journal Journal Journal
Journaling has been known to reduce stress and provide mental clarity. It gives you the opportunity to recognize your thoughts and emotions, change your perspective, clarify your wants and needs- and there are a plethora of ways to go about it.
Here are a few different prompts that have helped me the most.
– Gratitude –
Every morning, write down 3 things you’re grateful for. These can be anything from your past travel experiences to little things about everyday life.
Doing this right when you wake up completely shifts your mindset for the rest of the day. After doing this consistently, I noticed an extreme decrease in my irritable and negative tendencies.
I like to say: you might not feel happy everyday, but CHOOSE to be grateful and kind everyday.
– Control the Controlables –
I learned growing up you can only control two things, your actions and your attitude.
When we have little control over what’s happening around us, we tend to try and control things we simply cannot, and it can lead to more stress and feeling overwhelmed.
Make a list of the things you Do & Don’t have control over. Afterwards, reflect on the list. Practice reminding yourself to let go of the things you can’t control, and focus on what you can.
– Mind Dump –
No order, no rules, just thoughts and emotions. Write down everything you’re feeling all over the page. This tactic is very releasing, and I know from personal experience it leads to lowering stress levels.
The mind is a powerful place. Our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions, and our actions become our habits. If we bottle things up and don’t release our stressors, we can convince ourselves of anything and form habits detrimental to our health.
4. Create a Morning Routine
Create something you can look forward to every morning!
My morning routine consists of having a glass of water, making my bed, gratitude journaling, and a quick stretch. I sometimes add in something new just to keep it interesting, since traveling usually doesn’t involve a very stringent routine.
I have been doing this for over 2 years, and I accredit it to making the biggest difference for my mental health.
5. Practice RESTING
We all know that traveling takes a toll on us. All the planes, trains & automobiles… it drains your energy & it must be replenished!
Sleep more, meditate more, practice more yoga, watch your favorite movie, read.
When did we come up with the idea that just being wasn’t enough?
It’s so hard for us to feel content doing nothing, but in reality the need for the human body & mind to rest is inevitable. Think of it this way, the more you rest up now the more energy you’ll have for your next travel experience.
Tackling self-care can be daunting and it’s hard to know where to start, but now you know some ways to incorporate self-care while being stuck in one place. Start with one thing that makes the most sense for you, and if you don’t like it, try something else!
All it takes is having the courage to start.
meet the author

Kayla Christian
Kayla is passionate about health and wellness and runs a beautiful account @havinghealthyhabits. She’s based in Charleston and if she’s not active outside, she’s cooking new recipes at home. She is redefining what it means to be “healthy”. Follow her for everyday motivation, recipes, and tips on how to live a balanced lifestyle.












