I have traveled extensively via road trips and air flights from Palm Springs. After observing my emotions the day after a trip, I have concluded and verified, with the help of friends, that travel fog is real.
Jetlag
Let me explain. If you have traveled overseas, you are well aware of jet lag. After returning from Europe, most people know not to plan any gatherings or to meet the next day after one returns. To use an old cliché, you probably will not be the sharpest tack in the box. Let's hope you don't have to make a life-changing decision.
Three days after an international flight, more than likely, you still feel like you need a long nap at 3:00 p.m. I am certainly not against naps, for I am up most mornings by 5:00 a.m. A refreshing 15-minute nap perks me up for the activities for the rest of the day. However, a two-to-three-hour snooze is bound to affect your evening sleep.
Short Airline Trips and Road-trip Travel Fog
What do I mean by travel fog?
After you return home from a trip, have you noticed how your mind says, "I should unpack? I should go to the grocery store. I should call Henrietta?" Yet, the energy to do things seems like a monumental task. That is what I am referring to as travel fog. You just want to be left alone and assimilate back into your environment. Hopefully, your spouse or partner has been on the trip, so he understands the feeling.
Is there a cure for travel fog or a way to shorten it?
Years ago, when I was an Executive Assistant, the President said, "Kathy, I have clients coming in from Japan at 10:00 a.m. Will you book us a tee-off time at 1:00 p.m.?" Incredulously I asked, "Won't they want to take a nap instead of playing golf?" He replied, "The best way to help them get over jetlag is to get them grounded to the land."
Then I took a trip to Europe. Shortly after we settled in at the house, my daughter said, "Mom, we are taking the dogs to the park." You can imagine my reaction. I just wanted to sleep. But hey, I just arrived, and I wanted to grab every European moment and share it with my daughter. I returned from the walk in the park refreshed and could stay awake until my family's regular bedtime.
What were the similarities? Both activities were on land, not concrete.
Suggestions for combatting Travel Fog when you arrive in Palm Springs.
The impulse is to shed your winter clothes and head to the pool. However, in the Greater Palm Springs area, we have beautiful places to explore where you can touch the ground. Palm Springs has Ruth Hardy Park, which has a suggested exercise trail. Frances Stevens Park beckons you to slow down. Its extensive lawn area is perfect for stretching out and relaxing with a picnic from one of our nearby restaurants.
If you are a hiker, grab your hiking boots and head up to see the falls in Tahquitz Canyon. The trail isn't too challenging, yet it will give you a sense of our desert world. Reward yourself with a dip in your heated hotel's pool and an umbrella cocktail.
Is my theory about travel fog scientifically proven? Frankly, I haven't taken the time to do the research. After a trip, I experience travel fog, and I am too tired to go to the computer. (Smile)
My website, Palm Springs Insider Guide, will give you links to many of the things we locals love and appreciate about Palm Springs. AND if you accept my theory about travel fog, it might even help you have even more fun, for I believe you will be more alert and energetic to explore the place we residents call home.
Kathy Condon is a freelance journalist and travel writer. She is the Founder of the Palm Springs Insider Guide. Her book It Doesn't Hurt to Ask: It's All About Communication was named Best Book Finalist by USA Book News Kathy@kathycondon.net
Hi Julie....The only way I know how to handle it is to make sure you do mindless things on the first day back. Don't make decisions, unpack, clean the house etc. I'd be very rich if I had the ultimate way to handle, but unfortunately, I don't/
Thank you for this insightful article! I completely agree—travel fog is a real phenomenon, and your personal anecdotes resonate deeply. The idea of grounding oneself after a trip, whether through a walk in nature or exploring local parks like Ruth Hardy Park, is a fantastic suggestion. It’s fascinating how simple activities like hiking in Tahquitz Canyon can rejuvenate the mind and body.
Your tips remind me of resources like NJ Visitor, which also highlight ways to unwind and explore new places. Similarly, their blog offers great insights for travelers looking to make the most of their journeys.
Your emphasis on connecting with the land is refreshing and practical. I’ll definitely keep these strategies in mind for my next trip—thank you…