5. Indulge in a good cup of coffee or tea.
6. Admire and appreciate the art, architecture, and beauty of a place.
7. Open up your senses. Really notice the softness of your pillow, the scents of the marketplace, the color of the cars driving past, the pressure exchanged with a handshake.
8. Stretch often.
9. Seek out celebration. Travel during events or holidays, and enjoy the energy that comes with partying alongside locals.
10. Set aside time every day do to one thing that makes you happier than anything else.
11. Take a risk, whether it’s as small as watching a foreign film with no subtitles, or as big as driving down a road without a destination or plan in mind.
12. Surround yourself with positive people. Traveling with negativity is toxic.
13. Send a postcard to a friend or family member back home.
14. Order something off a menu without really knowing what it is. You really can’t lose; if it tastes good, you’ll enjoy it. If it’s nasty, you have a fun story to tell later.
15. Take a nap. If your body is telling you to rest, listen to it.
16. Walk down a street you never intended to traverse.
17. Splurge on a souvenir for yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s cheesy or authentic. It’s yours and you’ll enjoy it for years to come.
18. Write down the moments that made you happy. They will get you through tough times.
19. Say hello to a complete stranger in the language of the place you’re in.
20. Find time to be creative, even if it means scribbling down an interesting thought on a Post-It.
21. Spend a little more time with your food. Savor the flavors of each bite. Sit, reflect, and digest after you’re done.
22. Understand your place in the world. Is it worth haggling over a bracelet for $3 instead of $5? Remember that to purchase something is a luxury many don’t get to experience.
23. Organize your stuff, or your surroundings. Coming back to a clean, fresh area after a long day of sightseeing is extremely therapeutic.
24. Give someone a compliment.
25. Bask in the sun; enjoy its warmth, light, and energy.
26. Set boundaries.
27. Take care of yourself if you start to get worn down. Barreling through sickness and fatigue is way worse than just taking the day off.
28. Don’t get frustrated when things don’t work out. It’s not the end of the world if the Museum of Natural History is closed for a private event. There are over 50 other museums in New York City to enjoy.
29. Volunteer at a local nonprofit, even if just for a day.
30. Connect with the community around you. Make time to do something local and specific to the area every day.
31. People watch.
32. Remember the good when moments seem to overwhelm you.
33. Be the person you have always wanted to be. No one in this new place knows who you are. You have nothing to lose.
34. Always be grateful.
35. Be critical about consumption. There is a danger in eating, drinking, buying, and doing too much.
36. Offer to buy a homeless person something to eat, or a cup of coffee.
37. Accept an offer from a local to join them in a meal, or have a drink with them.
38. Giggle along with the kids you meet. Kids are funny, and creative. It’s easy to forget that sometimes.
39. Stop, and breathe.
40. Remember why you’re traveling. Remember why you travel. Remember why you’re here. 