Island Time, Anytime
How to stretch that post-getaway glow into September
It’s one of summer’s least favorite moments…
That drive home from the airport, still smelling faintly like sunscreen, sand clinging to your flip-flops, while the emails come pouring into your inbox like a tropical storm.
No trip this year? Even if your vacation vibes came from scrolling beach rentals you never booked, the hard yank back to real life feels the same.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to get on another flight (or even leave your house) to hold onto some of that vacation calm. Your breath can anchor in that feeling – and help you carry it forward long after your suitcase is unpacked.
Step One: Re-Regulate Fast
Travel throws your nervous system off. New time zones, disrupted routines, too much fun (or too much family), indigestion... Then you add in the letdown of “back to business” which is also a stressor.
A quick way to reset: 4-4-6 Breathing.
Inhale for 4 counts through your nose, hold for 4, and exhale for 6 through your mouth. Repeat for a few minutes.
This creates balance while gently tipping your body toward calm. The slightly longer exhale tells your nervous system, we’re safe, we can slow down, making it easier to shake off the “re-entry turbulence” of daily life.
Step Two: Sprinkle in Vacation Energy
Think about some of the smaller outside-the-norm experiences that made you feel so good while you were away. Maybe waking up without an alarm? Eating outside? Moving your body more? Less screen time?
You can bring pieces of that into your everyday.
Morning coffee al fresco. Even five minutes on your porch is better than no minutes on your porch.
Make meals a little more special. Light a candle at dinner. Take a walk after lunch.
Sensory cues. A playlist, a certain outfit, even using the leftover hotel body wash in your morning shower can remind your brain to relax.
These tiny cues are easy to do. Feel frivolous? They aren’t, because they tell your body: it’s safe to relax in real life, too.
Step Three: Breathe the Memories Back
Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and recall a specific vacation moment: a sunset, a meal, the sound of waves.
As you inhale, imagine you’re pulling that memory into your body. As you exhale, let it spread through you.
Do this for a minute and see if you notice your shoulders drop, your chest soften, and your mind feel a little less frantic. That’s the power of pairing breath with imagery – it gives your body permission to re-feel calm in real time.
Final Reminder
You don’t need plane tickets to feel rested and renewed. A few breaths, a few tiny tweaks, and you can keep vacation energy alive. Even on a random Thursday when you’ve got a deadline knocking on your door.
Want more easy ways to reset your energy in minutes?
👉 Grab my free 5 Breaths in 5 Minutes kit, with cue cards and guided videos to keep calm at your fingertips no matter your plans.
Last Gasp
“Summer is leaving silently. Much like a traveler approaching the end of an amazing journey.” ~ Darnell Lamont Walker