Put Your Oxygen Mask on Yourself First
With all the snow we have been getting, a winter escape can feel like pure magic. Sunshine instead of shoveling. Salt air instead of icy wind. Palm trees instead of bare branches.
Travel is wonderful, but it can also be disruptive. Sometimes we return home feeling like we need a vacation from our vacation. Different beds, different foods, change of routines, too much stimulation. A couple of weeks ago, my husband Mike and I took my aging mom to California to visit her grandson and my brother. For her, a trip to the grocery store is a big outing, so this was huge.
The occupational therapist in me came prepared: wheelchair for the airport, transport chair for sightseeing, shower chair for safety. I planned carefully to make sure things would go smoothly for her.
But I also needed to plan for me.
Making Space for Myself
We booked an Airbnb two blocks from Venice Beach that could comfortably hold all of us under one roof for the first time in decades. I knew that dynamic had the potential to be a lot, so I made sure we built in space to breathe.
In the mornings, I sat quietly outside with my tea under a leafy tree, breathing, journaling, listening to a meditation. In the evenings, Mike and I walked along the ocean and out onto the pier, soaking in the warmth, the palm trees, and the ever-changing sea. Each time, I could feel my body soften.
And yet, ironically, the part of me closest to the earth was the first to protest. After several miles in flip-flops, my winter-conditioned feet were sore and burning. I had focused so much on grounding my nervous system that I forgot about my literal foundation.
A little myofascial release restored balance. A quiet reminder that grounding is not just something we think about. It is something we support in the body.
Honoring the Woman Who Raised Me
I adore my mom. She introduced me to yoga (while pregnant with me), earth-based spirituality, mediumship, energy work, crystals... so much of what shaped who I am. She was an X-Ray Tech who sparked my interest in the body and injuries. She x-rayed my Cabbage Patch Kid doll when I was a kid and gave me real stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and bandages all "borrowed" from work.
And... she is also a lot for me. Her mobility is not what I wish it were, and supporting her requires patience and steadiness. If I am not grounded, my inner teenager shows up: judgy, flustered, impatient. Definitely not my best self.
So self-care was not optional. It was essential.
This is the kind of trip that lingers in the heart. I am so grateful to have been together under one roof again. It brought back memories of our family vacations long ago and reminded me of who I am today.
I would happily do it again... MFR tools packed, breath steady, and my feet firmly planted in myself first.
The Tools I Packed (For Me)
Along with the practical equipment for my mom, I packed intentionally for myself:
My favorite teas
My journal
Earbuds for meditations
A couple of myofascial release tools
Quiet morning time
Ocean walks
Before I left, I scheduled MFR and energy treatments for when I returned home. I lightened my work schedule so I could re-enter gently and be fully present for my clients.
The goal was not just to get through the trip. It was to come home feeling like myself.
When I did, I was able to fly home Wednesday night and return to the office Thursday afternoon steady, present, and regulated, not depleted.
Travel can restore us. But only if we bring the parts of ourselves that truly support us along for the ride.
Asyou plan your winter escape, ask yourself: What do I need to bring so I can return home more like myself, not less?
If you need more ideas for supportive self-care practices, you can explore our newest downloadable guide in our Resource Hub.
Spring Is Coming... and April Is Booking
Yesterday's weather gave us a taste of what is to come, but it is hard to imagine gardening and golf while snowbanks are still high. The shift is closer than it feels.
Schedule your April session now so your body is ready when the ground finally thaws.
Lastly, as we face growing stress and uncertainty in the world, I am holding you all in my prayers for peace and safety. I am especially surrounding my virtual assistant Ashleigh in light for protection as she lives in Dubai. Please know I am thinking of you all, and I hope this space offers a small moment of calm and opportunity for grounding.