Self-Care Tips for Traveling

By: Dakota D. Duran

After moving away for school, I have found myself becoming a girl on the go. I am constantly traveling back and forth from San Francisco to Los Angeles, making sure I get to see my family and friends from home as often as I can. Gaining a new sense of independence, I have also recently enjoyed booking flights to see my friends in their college towns, whether that be in New York City, Boston, or New Haven.

Traveling takes a lot of energy, and it is very easy to forget to take care of yourself when on a journey to a new location. With many trips planned for the next few weeks and upcoming holidays, here are some of my favorite self-care tips for when I am embracing my inner Serena van der Woodsen coming home from boarding school.

1. Hoodies and Hairdos

While traveling, I find it necessary to put on my favorite hooded sweatshirt and put my hair in a slick back bun or braids. While it makes the flight more comfortable, it also makes sure my hair is protected from the germs of the plane seat. I am a huge germaphobe, and the last thing I want is the bacteria from the plane sitting in my hair. On average, plane seats contain 2,155 bacteria colony-forming units, which is why I make sure my hair is protected throughout the flight. I find the Aritzia Cozy Fleece Mega Raglan Hoodie to be perfect for flights as the hood perfectly covers my head, essentially creating a little cocoon for me, and they also come in several different colors, giving you the perfect outfit which holds the effect of the mysterious airport girl. Several dupes on Amazon are ideal for travel as well.

2. Eye Masks

As I have genetic eye bags, it gets so much worse when I am traveling as I am not able to get as much sleep as I would like. I don’t want to enter a new city looking like a raccoon, so I always make sure to pack eye masks in my carry-on, especially if I am completing a travel with a time change that leaves me with jet lag. I use the Maskiss 24K Gold Eye masks, which have a formula containing xanthan gum, glucomannan, chondrus crispus powder, and glycerin, helping with under-eye bags, dark circles, and puffy eyes. And, for a pack of 25 pairs for only $9.99, I would say it is quite a steal.

3. Satin Sleep Masks

During a long flight, I always try my best to get as much sleep as possible so I am energized for my next adventure. However, I need absolute silence and for my rest area to be pitch black. Obviously, this is hard to achieve on an airplane, so I always make sure to pack my satin eye mask with me when I am on a flight. Sleep masks also can help you fall asleep faster, as the tension around your eyes is reduced from the compression and light pressure that the masks offer. On top of that, a satin sleep mask can help with wrinkles as the skin around your eyes is preserved. You can find a satin sleep mask anywhere, and I found my favorite through Kitsch.

4. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Face Mask

Airplanes are controlled environments, and because of this, this can result in dehydration. The normal amount of humidity on an everyday basis is usually around 35-65%, and on an airplane, the humidity levels only reach about 10-20%. I always make sure my body is hydrated by keeping a water bottle on hand, but, I also make sure my skin is hydrated and glowing by using the Summer Fridays Jet Lag face mask. The face mask is for all skin types, and as it is full of ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin, the problem of skin dryness and dullness after a flight is solved. I always make sure to put this on right after my flight, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before blotting it off my face with a facial tissue or cotton round.