There’s nothing like a good vacation. Whether it’s a tropical escape, a cross-country road trip, or a cozy staycation, taking time away from daily responsibilities can leave you feeling refreshed, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.
But coming home? That’s another story.
Many of us return from vacation feeling bloated, foggy, or sluggish. Maybe your digestion is off. Your sleep may be a mess. Your inbox is full. Your energy and focus? Nowhere to be found.
Don’t worry. This is normal, and it doesn’t mean you’ve “fallen off track.” It just means your body and mind need a reset. Not a punishment. Not a cleanse. Just a gentle, grounded way to feel like yourself again.
Here are 5 simple ways to reset your routine after your vacation, in a gentle, stress-free way.
1. Rehydrate and Replenish
Traveling can be tough on your body’s hydration levels. Whether it’s plane travel, long car rides, restaurant food, or alcohol, it all adds up to one thing: dehydration. And when your body is dehydrated, everything feels off: digestion is slow, your skin looks dull, and you feel exhausted.
Start with this:
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Drink 16-20 ounces of water as soon as you wake up for the day
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Add electrolytes or trace minerals for better absorption
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Include hydrating foods like cucumber, melon, and leafy greens
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Sip herbal teas like ginger or peppermint to calm the digestive tract
If you use a greens powder, now is the time to bring it back into your morning routine. If you’re looking to add a greens powder to your day, try one like Super Blue Green, which delivers antioxidants, enzymes, and algae to help you rehydrate at the cellular level.
2. Prioritize Sleep (Without the Guilt)
Jet lag. Late nights. Unfamiliar beds. Vacation sleep is often irregular, and coming home exhausted can make it even harder to get back on track.
Resist the temptation to power through with caffeine or jump straight into productivity. The fastest way to reset your internal clock is to prioritize sleep, even if that means going to bed at 8:30 pm for a few nights.
Support deep, restorative sleep with:
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A wind-down routine (think: herbal tea, magnesium, dim lighting)
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A consistent bedtime (even on the weekends)
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No screens 1 hour before bed
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Breathing exercises or a short meditation before sleep
Give your body 2 to 3 nights of consistent, uninterrupted rest and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your energy returns.
3. Nourish Your Gut (Don’t Punish It)
Let’s be honest: Vacation eating is half the fun. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with indulgence, it can sometimes leave your digestive system begging for a reset.
Rather than diving into a restrictive diet or skipping meals, start gently nourishing your gut.
Try this approach:
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Start each morning with a smoothie that’s rich in both fiber and polyphenols (greens, berries, flax, etc)
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Add fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, or yogurt to support your microbiome
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Add fiber to your meals with leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains
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Cut back on processed sugar and refined carbs, but don’t be rigid about it
This isn’t about restriction. It’s about tuning in. When you give your body what it truly needs, it will naturally come back into alignment.
4. Move Your Body Gently
Post-vacation movement doesn’t have to mean a brutal workout. In fact, going too hard too fast can leave you more depleted.
The goal is to reconnect to your body, not punish it.
Movement ideas to ease you back in:
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A 20-30 minute walk in nature (bonus: sunlight helps reset your circadian rhythm)
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Gentle stretching or yoga to release tension
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Low-impact workouts like Pilates, barre, or swimming
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Rebounding or light cardio to support lymphatic drainage
Still feeling off? Try pairing movement with grounding practices like breathwork or body scans to help strengthen your mind-body connection.
5. Build Micro-Routines That Ground You
Jumping straight into a fully packed calendar or rigid schedule can backfire, especially when your nervous system is still in “vacation mode.”
Instead, build back slowly with micro-routines: small, repeatable rituals that bring order, energy, and calm to your day.
Micro-routine ideas:
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Make your bed and drink a glass of water within 10 minutes of waking up
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Prep one nourishing meal a day (like a protein bowl or veggie-packed soup)
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Take a short afternoon walk instead of reaching for a second cup of coffee
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Use a supplement habit as a grounding daily ritual
Micro-routines may seem too small to be impactful, but over time, they add up. As you stick to them, they will begin to create the foundation of a sustainable, feel-good lifestyle that already has scaffolding built in to help you get back or stay on track when life gets busy again.
Remember: It’s a Reset, Not a Punishment
You don’t need to undo your vacation. You just need to support your body as it transitions back.
Resetting your routine after vacation is about nourishment, not restriction. Intention, not intensity. And consistency, not perfection.
When you focus on hydration, sleep, gut support, movement, and simple rituals, you’ll start feeling grounded and energized again, without any crash diets or burnout.
Bonus Tip: Add a Wellness Anchor
Sometimes, one small daily action can make the biggest difference. A wellness anchor is a simple habit that connects you to your health goals without overwhelm.
A few of our favorite wellness anchors post-vacation are:
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A scoop of Super Blue Green each morning
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A walk in natural light before 10 a.m.
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A gratitude journal before bed
The goal is to give your body and mind a sense of rhythm. That’s what a true reset is all about.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Try incorporating one or two of these tips today, and build from there. You might be surprised how quickly your energy, focus, and digestion bounce back with just a few intentional shifts.