Submitted by Rachel Schemmerling.
(Dec. 18, 2020) — Even with Covid restrictions, some of us might be traveling for the holidays. Even if it’s just to get away to a new location locally with ones we’ve been quarantining with all along. Getting away to a new environment safely is good for mental health as well as supporting local businesses to stay afloat.
Starting the new year inspires us to begin good health and self care practices. And getting away means it’s time to get back to taking better care of ourselves anyway! And frankly 2020 has been all about staying healthy! And 2021 will be no different in that respect.
These days wellness is on the forefront of everyone’s mind. However, taking care of yourself while traveling can prove to be challenging. Top on everyone’s list when they leave their every day hectic life to go on vacation is a promise to themselves they will be eating right, finding a time and place to exercise, and slowing down to enjoy the scenery.
While some properties like grand hotels and chains offer in-hotel gyms and pools, and some are now offering healthy food options, it doesn’t always come easy. After a full day of possible busy sightseeing and then retiring to your guest room, it doesn’t always inspire a second trip back out of the room to go exercise in the hotel gym with strangers. And now with Covid restrictions, the gyms very well may be closed or require a mask to work out. It is this reason many people choose to stay in smaller more intimate properties like bed and breakfasts and or now the ever popular airbnb’s or vacation rental properties.
However, all properties from bed and breakfasts to hotels have been working hard throughout this pandemic to incorporate cleaning guidelines and wellness focused practices into their guest rooms and common areas. Many now offer personal wellness amenities in guest rooms like yoga mats, hand weights, extra water bottles and offer healthy food room service options. Some places offer wellness weekends, yoga on the grounds under a shady tree, retreats and mindfulness seminars. Others may offer their guests local maps showing the best places to go for a walk or run, parks and gardens to visit, and information on local beaches and lakes.
Wherever you choose to vacation (if you do) even if it’s a stay-cation during this pandemic, do so responsibly, pack extra masks, hand sanitizers, and even disposable gloves if necessary. Bring along your bed sheets, water bottles, your own yoga mat and hand weights. And promise yourself a few moments of self care. It’s good for the soul and will inspire you to return home renewed and refreshed, ready to incorporate a little wellness focused inspiration at home.
Rachel Schemmerling is the owner of Timeless Living Designs in Killingworth. She does interior design consulting, slow living coaching, and wellness design consulting.
