It happens every time.

Every time I travel, I always run into someone I know.

This time, in Portugal, I ran into three people.

One hid from me. They actually took a picture too. I'll share the picture when I receive it.

The other person, The Latina Traveler, wasn't awkward and actually said hi to me.

The last person also said hi to me, but I don't like him much, so I ran away.

Now this is what I call balance.

I just returned from Portugal, and I'm exhausted.

It's not surprising that travel can really throw off your daily rhythm, so it's important to have a post-trip routine to help you readjust to life at home. 

Here are my tried-and-true tips:

1. Clean your house before leaving: Coming back to a tidy home reduces stress, especially when you're already tired from traveling across the world.
    
2. Stay hydrated: Your body needs plenty of fluids after travel. I recommend drinking water and replenishing electrolytes with sports drinks or electrolyte packets.
    
3. Unpack immediately: Don't let your luggage create clutter in your living space - it only adds to the chaos. This includes wiping down your luggage, doing laundry, and restocking toiletries.
    
4. Take an extra day off before starting work: While I don't always follow this advice (I like to save my PTO!), having a buffer day between your trip and returning to work can make a huge difference.
    
5. Get plenty of rest: Between time zones differences, eating unhealthy food, and busy itineraries, your body needs time to recover. Don't feel guilty about getting extra sleep — it's essential for recovery.
    
6. Embrace solitude: Take some time for yourself before jumping back into social commitments. Even if you feel fine, your body is still adjusting. Limit email checking to essential messages only.
    
7. Seek natural light: This is especially important when dealing with jet lag. Natural sunlight helps reset your body's internal clock and regulate your sleep schedule.
    
8. Treat yourself: Do something that brings you joy or helps you relax, like getting a massage. My personal tradition is ordering takeout for what I call my "Last Meal" before returning to my usual healthy eating habits.
    
9. Be patient: Your body and mind need time to readjust to your regular routine. In my experience, it typically takes about 5 days to feel completely back to normal after a long trip.

Keep traveling, 

Andrew

What post-trip routines help you readjust to life at home?