Have you had a travel experience that left you feeling depleted? As an HSP and lifelong traveler, I’ve felt more than my share of travel overwhelm and exhaustion.
And yet, I continue to love traveling…especially since I’ve learned to understand and work with, not against, my sensitive strengths and needs.
While it’s true that travel can be draining for HSPs, it doesn’t have to be. If you’re honest with yourself about what you need, and intentional about honoring those needs, you can experience much more meaningful, enriching travel, and far less of the overwhelm that some of us have come to associate with travel adventures.
I’d love to share what I’ve learned, so here are a few recommendations for finding enjoyable travel experiences while drastically reducing the likelihood of depletion.
Dig deeper with your intentions
Take some time to consider why you’re traveling and what you want to experience before you start planning.
Many people think of travel as an escape, or a way to let go of stress. While there’s nothing wrong with this sentiment (everyone needs a break from time to time), the true benefits of travel go far beyond relaxation.
That’s why I would recommend setting a deeper intention beyond stress relief, or even a bucket list item. For example, your purpose might be to explore the edges of your comfort zone or genuinely connect with people of another culture.
Having a clear purpose will not only make your experience more meaningful, but it can help you re-center, feel empowered, and build a reserve of confidence that will be helpful in challenging moments you may encounter.
Contemplate what you want to feel
As an HSP, you likely need time to simply be in your new surroundings without having to rush to the next place. Consider what settings help you connect to your senses in ways that support your nervous system.
I’ve had retreat guests skip yoga to observe hummingbirds, or bow out of a guided tour to people-watch or savor local dishes at a cafe. For others, a mindful walk may allow a chance to feel your muscles and the ground under your feet.
Knowing what you want to experience can help you to focus on what’s important to you, avoid overplanning, and allow for unscheduled time so your trip may unfold as you travel.
Choose complementary travel companions
Sharing travel experiences and building memories with others can make it so much more meaningful. But, having some discernment around who you travel with can be just as important as your actual plans.
I have quite a few loved ones that I can share fun activities with, but it doesn’t mean that our travel rhythms match up.
When traveling with friends, family, or even strangers, I highly recommend talking about your intentions for the trip. Discussing any preferences and needs in advance can help set clear expectations and set the stage for open communication in the event that you feel overwhelmed or need to say no to something.
Here are some considerations that you may want to clarify with your co-traveler(s):
- Will you do everything together or will you do your own thing at times?
- How important is it to be able to be flexible or go with the flow?
- How active will the trip be? How important is downtime?
- What kind of pace do you envision for your mornings?
Plan for integration time
Most of us put a lot of effort into planning the trip itself. Yet, I’ve come to realize that planning for how I handle the return is nearly as important.
There was a time when I used to squeeze as much as I could out of my vacation time so that I could enjoy more time away. I’d leave almost no time to settle in and recover, and instead, I’d just hit the ground running.
Not only was this jarring to my sensitive nervous system, but it also made it more challenging to integrate what I had learned or experienced during my travel experience into home life. Now, planning for downtime after a trip, particularly after I’ve run a retreat, is a must.
What about you?
What do you think can help HSPs enjoy travel without depletion? What destinations or environments have you found to be most HSP-friendly? Feel free to share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.
Interested in traveling with people who get you?
Check out our upcoming retreats. We have trips to Guatemala, Peru, Portugal, and Thailand on the horizon in 2023!