It may feel as though enjoying a stress-free holiday is unrealistic. There is always something to think about, always plenty to do before you can go, and always something to contend with when you finally get to your planned vacation spot. Sometimes it can genuinely feel as though you’re going from one set of stresses to another or even doubling up on your stress in some cases. This can mean that for some, vacations just don’t seem worth it.
However, the truth is that vacations are always worth it. When done right, they can reduce your normal stress levels, and if you are careful, they won’t add any more to your life either. Continue reading to find out how this can be done.
Pre-Book Where Possible
One of the things that may make a trip more stressful than it ever should be is not being able to accomplish all you want to do. This is especially true if it is something you have always wanted to do, perhaps the basis for the trip in the first place.
If there is something you want to do, don’t run the risk of getting stressed (or even having your vacation ruined) when it is highly likely you can pre-book the activity ahead of time. When you can do this, you will find your stress levels decrease because everything will be in place, and you will know precisely what to do and where to go. You can arrange your airport parking, your airline can book your seats, your transfer when you arrive can be scheduled through your travel company, and numerous activities can be booked. A good example of this is a package tour by a reputable company you can book from home because everything is included for you and you don’t have to worry about anything.
Don’t Be Too Reachable
When you're on vacation, you should stay on vacation. What you should not be doing is responding to business emails or participating in conference calls. In fact, work should be entirely ignored for the duration of your trip away. If you are a company owner with no additional employees to cover for you, this may be challenging, but planning for your vacation in advance is, as we’ve already said, a great way to de-stress, and it can also help your business keep going even when you’re not personally available.
However, it’s not only work that can create stress when on vacation. It could be that your friends and relatives become a problem as well, and they will constantly want to ensure you’re all right and that you’re having a good time. This is incredibly well-meaning, but it can be stressful. If you can drop them a message once a week and make sure they’re aware that this is your plan, you should be able to relax a lot more. Staying away from social media is also a great idea.
Pack Light
Strange as it may seem, packing can often be a stressful element of your vacation. It shouldn’t be, of course; it’s just putting the clothes and items you need into a bag to take with you when you go away. However, it can still cause people to become anxious because they don’t know exactly what to take or what they are going to need while they’re on vacation.
To combat this issue, research your destination. Look at the weather, at the dress code, at the activities. Then narrow down your packing to just the things you know you’re going to need. If there is a laundry room at your hotel or a cleaners in the city you’re staying at, then you can take even less with you. Take as little as possible to make your trip easier and less stressful.
Give Yourself Enough Time
No matter how you plan to get where you're going, give yourself more time than you think you'll need during peak season. This is very important on days with a lot of traffic (such as spring break in the US). On these days, almost everything will take longer than usual, like check-in lines, getting a taxi, and parking at the airport. Business travelers who are used to a certain routine may also find that traveling with their families isn't as easy or quick as when they travel alone. Knowing you have enough time to deal with anything unexpected can help keep you from getting anxious and stressed. If you get to the airport early, remember that working or reading in an airport lounge is much more relaxing than being stuck in traffic for 20 minutes in a taxi before your flight.
Don’t Assume Something Will Go Wrong
Sometimes stress can definitely come from within. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’ve never left your hometown before, the more you think about things that can go wrong, the more stressed you will become. You might not even be able to truly enjoy yourself when you’re away because you just can’t shake the feeling that there is a problem or disaster is just around the corner.
Although it’s good to have a contingency plan just in case you lose your passport, run out of money, or have an accident, for example, don’t dwell on these potential issues. Have plans in place to deal with them, and then focus on the positives of enjoying your vacation. In that way, you’ll be in a much better frame of mind, and you’ll have a lot more fun, as will anyone you’re traveling with.
Have Something To Look Forward To When You Get Home
When you get back from a long trip, it can be exhausting and emotional, and it can be hard to get back into your old routine. A 2010 study found that this is very different from how people feel before a trip. People were always happier when they were getting ready for a trip than when they got back.
Make sure that when you get home, you have something fun to look forward to. That could be a neat and clean place to live or some fun things to do in the near future. If you can organize this before you leave, going home won’t be so bad, and you won’t feel stressed out during your vacation, which will curtail your fun.
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