Finding ways to ground yourself while travelling is super important - it can be easy to get swept up when travelling, or even just on holiday, as everything is different and your usual routine is disrupted. I find that using tools and practices to ground myself makes me a calmer person, a better travel companion and I find that I am more present and can therefore enjoy my travel experiences more.

That being said, it can be difficult to find efficient ways to stay grounded while travelling, due to luggage restrictions, space and other logistical hurdles. I’ve experimented a lot with carrying different self-care tools and established rituals that work for me and my fairly minimal packing habits. I do make sure that I have enough room to take my few items that help me ground myself as a non-negotiable. I’m a homebody at heart, so I like taking certain items travelling with me to make me feel more connected to myself, rather than feeling lost and a little untethered.

The tools and practices I use to stay grounded, include: journaling, Gua sha and basic skincare, yoga, crystal healing, tarot readings, mindfulness and gratitude and connecting with nature. Keep reading to see how I stay grounded on the road!

Here’s the things I do to keep myself grounded and feeling my best when travelling.

1. Journaling for clarity

*A little beach journal session anyone?*

Something that is an absolute necessity when I travel is a journal or notebook of some kind. I find it extremely useful when I’m feeling overwhelmed or when I simply want to document how I’m feeling. It’s also a great tool to write down what you’ve been doing every day so you can reminisce and perhaps remember things you would have otherwise forgotten (I’m notorious for this!) It also makes a lovely little keepsake when you finish it, especially if you’re like me and stick tickets or other little memories in it to look back on. Sometimes when I’m travelling things can get stressful or overwhelming and it’s a great way to vent feelings in a healthy and introspective way. It can also be useful to journal after a meditation practice, or first thing in the morning to start the day afresh.

2. Gua sha & basic skincare

*My little gua sha balcony set up.*

This was another thing I really wanted to bring with me travelling. While I don’t have a huge stash of skincare products in my travel bag (in fact, I don’t have any except my facial oil and SPF!) I knew that I needed to bring my gua sha stone with me. Now, I don’t practice my gua sha routine every day, but I do make an effort every couple of days or twice a week to take some time to properly massage my face. Gua sha is excellent for lymphatic drainage, reducing inflammation and relaxing your facial muscles. I find that after I use my EmilyArizona facial oil (which will be available again when I return to the UK - but I’m running out, sob!) and my jade gua sha stone I sleep so much better than I otherwise would. It’s a great little treat and especially when staying in budget hostels and hotels, it’s a little routine that feels luxurious and good for the soul.

3. Yoga & mindful movement

I try and incorporate some yoga into every day; whether that’s a five minute quick routine in the morning or a longer one when I have time (and more space!) Admittedly sometimes it’s easier than others; I’m not travelling with a yoga mat and have to deal with whatever surface I find available at the time. Concrete and a towel isn’t quite the same! But, I try and adapt my practice to whatever surface I’m using, mainly to protect my little knees! Sand is my favourite so if I’m around a beach and bring a towel with me, I’ll happily do some yoga on the beach. Sometimes I practice intuitively and do what feels best for my body at the time, other times I follow and online YouTube video, join an online Zoom class or join an in person class if there’s any running where I’m staying. It’s great at keeping me active, grounds me and helps me de-stress or prepare for the day.

4. Crystal healing

When I’m travelling I always take a small crystal collection with me for protection and healing wherever I go. I usually keep these in my purse for safe keeping, and charge them in the sun or in water when needed. I use these sometimes during meditation sessions, tarot readings or when I need a specific crystal for a specific purpose. I also wear several crystal bracelets that are always on me too (in fact I seem to pick more and more up the more I travel!) I carry a carnelian, aventurine and a tiger’s eye crystal chip bracelet and in my purse I keep: citrine, amethyst, clear quartz, smoky quartz and rose quartz tumblestones.

5. Tarot reading

Now, I know that tarot isn’t for everybody, but I find it intensely useful at finding clarity in uncertain situations and finding guidance. Sometimes if I’m feeling like it, I’ll take my deck and find a nice shady spot at the beach, meditate for a little bit, cleanse my deck with my few crystals I take with me and do a longer reading with as many cards as I’m feeling. I get really specific with my questions and what sort of guidance it is I’m looking for. Is it regarding the future, do I want to know about my career, travel plans, etc. I try and be specific in order to get the most out of each reading. Sometimes if I don’t have the space - or, quite frankly, energy! - then the pick a card readings on YouTube or Instagram live are also great for those chill vibes.

6. General mindfulness and gratitude

*Beach meditation - is there anything better?!*

I try and stay mindful during my travel experiences. Breathwork, meditation and journaling together create an excellent foundation for me to be a more mindful individual. Along with these techniques I also practice daily gratitude. Whether I write things down in my journal or just say them in my mind while taking a quiet moment to myself, I try and list 10 things I’m grateful for that day. I find that it instantly lifts my mood, humbles me and reminds me how lucky I am to be doing what I love and travelling.
I also love to create a visionboard; whether physical or digital, to focus on my goals and aspirations. Currently I have a small fold-out visionboard in my A6 journal which I see every time I make an entry; it reminds me to ground myself, do what makes me happy and get out of my comfort zone!

7. Connecting with nature

This is a very important practice that I’ve mentioned hundreds of times over here on Emily Arizona. The feeling of being in nature, surrounding yourself with trees, birds, water; it’s invaluable. It improves mood, decreases stress and produces serotonin in the body. Best of all, it costs nothing at all and makes the world of difference. My favourite thing to do is head to the beach or wander around a green space - even in the middle of cities there’s usually a park or somewhere with nature to relax and unwind. Even twenty minutes can boost your mood significantly. It’s a perfect way to reconnect with yourself and find peace in your day. Swimming in the ocean is another favourite part of my day that I enjoy if I’m near the beach; hearing the crashing waves, feeling the sand under my feet - you can’t beat it!

*Enjoying the natural beauty of Langkawi, Malaysia*

These techniques don’t necessarily have to just apply to travel; they made the foundation of my wellbeing routines at home too. This is just a simplified version which is travel-friendly that doesn’t require too much space in my bag or one that requires lots of external resources. Most of these I can practice with no tools at all and make a huge difference to my mental health and how grounded I feel.

What’s your favourite travel self-care tip? Tag me @emilyarizona on Instagram, I’d love to see your routines too!

EA x

My Grounding Self Care Routine While Travelling Full-Time