Travel is my passion. When I’m planning a getaway, in transit to a destination or exploring a new city I’m at my happiest. On my third and final flight returning home from Brazil, I noticed a familiar pang of sadness as the city below came into focus. Although I was happy to be home, the realization that my trip was over began to set in. Even though I’m lucky enough to travel fairly regularly (one of the perks of working for an airline), I still can’t shake the emotional dip that comes at the conclusion of each adventure.  Luckily, I’ve found a few ways to help overcome the post-travel blues.

1. REVIEW YOUR TRAVEL PHOTOS

Scrolling through travel photos is an easy way to overcome the post-travel blues. A few weeks ago on a particularly gloomy day in the city, I started perusing through photos from my trip to Jamaica and it instantly transported me back to my happy place. If you’re extra ambitious, try scrap-booking or print out some of your favorite shots and display them around your home.

2. JOURNAL ABOUT YOUR TRIP

It may seem old school, but journaling is a great way to document your experiences abroad and create a lasting memento. I still have journals from my very first international trips and I love that I can glance through them any time and instantly relive the sights, sounds, smells and emotions from my trip. These days, I rely more on my phone for note taking, but I’m diligent about jotting down daily thoughts and impressions as well as bullet points of my itinerary. These notes end up sparking more detailed memory later on and serve as a rich source for blog content.

3. FOLLOW SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS THAT HIGHLIGHT YOUR DESTINATION

While your own travel photos are a personal way to relive your favorite trips, it’s also fun to peruse other’s photos of places you’ve visited. A quick search on Instagram will yield stunning images from destinations all across the globe. It’s an easy way to discover attractions you may have missed while there as well as view landmarks you visited from a different perspective. I’m still obsessing over Brazil and luckily there are plenty of stunning images available to satiate my wanderlust!

4. RECREATE RECIPES FROM YOUR TRAVELS

Sampling local cuisine is one of my favorite things to do while abroad and one of the first things I miss when I return home. My mouth still waters at the thought of homemade moussaka in Athens, warm baguettes in Paris, fresh ceviche in Lima and potent caipirinhas in Rio. A great way to reminisce is to re-create some of your favorite local dishes. Even if the kitchen isn’t your forte, find a restaurant in your area that serves up authentic fare. It’s a fun and delicious way to transport yourself back to your favorite destinations.

5. START PLANNING YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

My favorite trick for overcoming the post-travel blues is planning my next adventure. Luckily I don’t have to wait too long, as I intend to visit Spain in a few weeks. But whether your next getaway is in a week or a year, planning for it gives you something to look forward to and get excited about! Find a hotel, create a packing list and start researching things to do. By the time you get there you’ll have a feel for the place and can enjoy experiencing the attractions you’ve been daydreaming about in person.

Do you ever experience the post-travel blues? What are your tips for overcoming it? Share your comments below!

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