When you’re on a mission trip, whether as a leader or another part of the team, it’s hard to think about fitting in self-care. Of course, the main reason you are on a trip is to serve, but you can’t serve at your best if you don’t take care of yourself. When you get involved in the busyness of your trip’s schedule, it will be hard to come up with ways to take care of yourself. You need a plan going into the trip. Think through how to incorporate your regular self-care practices during your time away. Here is a list of some easy ways to sneak in self-care during a mission trip:

1. Pick Luxury Travel Shampoos And Soaps

Sometimes taking a shower is the only chance you will get to yourself on a medical mission trip. It’s a chance to clear your head and clean off the grime from a full day’s work. Since you’ll only be taking travel sized shower items, you might as well splurge for the luxury kind! Pick out the fancier soaps and shampoos that you may not get otherwise. Breathe in the citrus or lavender scents and enjoy your shower break. Create a spa-like experience and guarantee yourself 5 minutes of time to be alone and present.

2. Get Comfortable

Pack some of your favorites pajama bottoms, slippers, or other comfort items to relax in at the end of the day. There’s not much you can control throughout the day during a mission trip experience, but you can control the way you end the day and the comfort you allow yourself to enjoy for the night. Self-care could be as simple as your favorite hoodie sweatshirt or a soft blanket you enjoy snuggling up with at the end of the day. Be sure to give yourself a few moments to each day to get comfortable. This will refresh you before you start back in serving the following day.

3. Stretch

Sometimes there will be opportunities to go on a run or possibly do a workout while traveling, but mostly there won’t be a lot of time for exercise. However, if you can find the time to do simple yoga stretches to unite your body and mind, this will give you a moment of self-care. Try the cat-cow, downward dog, mountain, and child’s pose. This will promote relaxation and give you a new level of energy.

4. Spiritual Meditation

This is the most important form of self-care. Be sure you take time to be alone with the Lord and in His Word. That is what’s going to fill you up and sustain you during the time you serve. If you are serving others on a mission trip but neglecting your spiritual life in the process, then service is distracting you from the most important thing. Schedule daily time for spiritual meditation and allow the Lord to fuel you for the work He has called you to do.

Tell us in the comments what you choose to do as self-care on a mission trip!