How To Unwind After A Long Day Of Sightseeing

How To Unwind After A Long Day Of Sightseeing

TGR Staff - 10/08/2024

A long day of sightseeing can be really exciting, and it’s what you’ve traveled away from home for in the end, but if we’re completely honest, it can also leave you feeling absolutely exhausted and wiped out, especially if you’ve done a few different things or the things you did were particularly intense. After all, exploring new places, walking through museums, hiking up scenic hills, and so on, can all take a toll on your energy levels, and by the time you’re done, you might need some time to relax. If you don’t, you might not be able to enjoy your next day of adventure as much, and that’s a shame. So with that in mind, here are some great options when it comes to unwinding after a long day of sightseeing so you can make the most of your time away. Read on to find out more. 



Relax In Your Room


What’s the first thing you’ll probably want to do after a long day of walking around? Take your shoes off! Nothing feels better than letting your feet breathe and taking a moment to rest, which is why going back to your room for a bit is a great idea - you can literally kick off your shoes and chill out for as long as you need to. 


Suppose you want to make the most of the time you have to relax (especially if that time is limited because you’re going out for dinner or some evening entertainment, for example). In that case, you need to focus on your breathing - take a few deep breaths and that’s going to tell your body that you’re ready to wind down, and although it might seem simple (because it is), it’s the ideal way to get into the right zone for relaxing in your room and letting the day’s fun soak in.


Also, if your feet are sore or swollen, make sure you elevate them somehow - that’s going to reduce the swelling and make them feel more comfortable. While you’re relaxing, you could play a calming game of solitaire, read a book, or listen to a great playlist to help you unwind even more. 



Enjoy A Warm Bath Or Shower


After hours of sightseeing, there’s nothing quite like a warm bath or shower to soothe your muscles and help you feel more awake and invigorated for the rest of your trip. A bath is best, and if you can get some bubbles or bath salts on your travels, then add them to the warm water and soak for as long as you need to, perhaps listening to some music or a podcast at the same time. Suppose there isn’t a bath (some hotel rooms don’t provide one, of course). In that case, you’re sure to have a shower, so make use of that instead - although it might be tempting to have the water as hot as you can stand, that can actually raise your blood pressure (plus it’s not great for your skin), so it’s better to just keep it warm rather than hot. 


Warm water is fantastic when it comes to soothing your muscles, and the steam in the room can help to reduce stress - it’s why steam rooms are so popular. Plus, you get to have a quiet moment or two to yourself before you continue with your adventure, and that can definitely be worthwhile at times, especially if you’re in a group and you’ve been on the go with the same people all day. 



Eat And Hydrate


Exploring a new city or whatever else it is you’ve been doing all day can sometimes mean you miss out on regular meals - there’s just so much to do that stopping to eat can feel like a waste of time (it’s not, and it can actually become part of the experience, especially if you pick a local, authentic restaurant) so perhaps you just don’t do it. The problem is that by the time you finish for the day, you’ll be hungry and probably dehydrated, and if you don’t do something about that, you’re going to start feeling unwell, and that can mean the next day’s adventures don’t go so well - you might even have to stay in bed and miss out. 


That’s why it’s crucial to make time to eat and rehydrate after a long day of sightseeing - and since it can help you unwind as well, it’s a win-win. One thing to make sure you do is to ensure that you always have bottles of water in your room so that you always have access to something to drink, no matter what time you get back to the hotel or what hours the shops might be open. Stock up when you arrive and top up your supply as you go, and you won’t have to run the risk of dehydration.


As for food, again, you can have a supply of snacks in your room for a quick energy boost, but what you really need is a good meal, at least once a day (and ideally more). If you’re having a quick breakfast and lunch to make more time for seeing the sights, then you’ll need to have a proper dinner, for example, and if you’re rushing through breakfast and dinner, then make sure lunch is a good feed - you can see how it works. This is the perfect time to book a cafe or restaurant in advance so you know where you’re going, and you’ll have the opportunity to experience the local culture a bit more at the same time, so it’s definitely worthwhile. 



Journal About The Day


If you want to be able to remember all the things you did during the day, the best idea is to write them down sooner rather than later - in that way, everything will be fresh in your mind, and you won’t miss anything out. 


Not only will you be able to keep your memories safe, but journaling like this is a great way to unwind because it’s a quiet activity that helps you process your thoughts and feelings better, which reduces stress and tension and helps you feel good. You don’t have to write a massive essay to get the most out of this idea; just jot down a few of the highlights from the day, like the things you enjoyed most, the people you met, the food you tried, and so on. You can even stick souvenirs in the journal like postcards or tickets and so on to help jog your memory when you read through it later on.