When you only have a limited amount of paid time off each year, it is important that you spend it right. Whether you are going to a nearby coastal town to soak in the sun or taking an exploratory vacation to a new state or country, there are things that you can do that will help you maximize your time away. Unfortunately, it is easy for vacations to feel stressful rather than relaxing. Thankfully, these easy tips will help you spend your time rejuvenating.
Plan Ahead to Reduce Added Stress
Have you ever been on a trip and not been able to make a decision about where to eat or what to do throughout the day? Time spent making these decisions can be stressful and wasteful. If you vacation at the last minute, it is easy for things to go wrong. You might find yourself rushing around trying to figure out what needs to be packed and if your vacation falls in a peak travel season, you may find that everything is sold-out or over-booked.
Save up vacation days. If you wait until the last minute to plan a vacation, you will only apply more pressure on yourself and will likely have less flexibility in your time away. By getting the planning out of the way earlier, there will be no need for such high levels of anxiety, especially when it comes to leaving work behind.
Use Services That Ease Logistics
Rather than carrying the load of your trip alone, you can utilize services that make travel easier. For example, if you are planning on embarking on a trip that combines outside activities and luxurious retreats, you can consider storing your luggage and only getting the products you need for each portion of the trip. There are companies such as Bounce that store luggage in convenient locations so that you can travel lightly throughout the day. This is a vacation tip that will allow you to save on luggage costs and the stress of bringing everything with you.
Take Time to Rejuvenate
When vacationing in your destination, it can be tempting to spend all of your time exploring and not enough time relaxing by the pool or at the spa. While vacation days should be filled with exploring and activity, they should also include indulging yourself in some way too. After working hard each day to make a living, this trip can be used to help you relax and restore so that you have the capacity to continue working hard throughout the year.
For some people, being in nature offers ultimate relaxation. If this is the case for you, head over to a natural hot spring and take it easy. If you vacation at the last minute, it is also more likely that your vacation will focus on more mundane things. If you vacation early, you will have time to research vacation spots and find events or festivals to attend while you are away. By planning ahead, you can make arrangements for transportation that would include using ride sharing services or renting a car. This will help decrease your stress levels as well as allowing for more personal flexibility in how you spend your vacation days.
If you are on a trip with your family or friends, keeping everyone relaxed can be hard. If you visit a resort that has child services, then this is one less thing you have to worry about. Furthermore, adult-oriented vacation spots are becoming more popular as some people are looking for a chance to have a break from their children or teens. As long as there is something to do for every different subset of people, no one will get on anyone else’s nerves.
By being intentional about what you want to accomplish on your vacation and by taking the right steps before heading out on vacation, you can have a smooth trip that allows you to unwind and enjoy yourself after working hard all year long.
Getting There and Getting Around
Vacations can be hectic if you do not plan your transportation properly. If you are just traveling close to home, there would likely be nothing wrong with using taxis, personal vehicles, or public transportation to get around on vacation. However, if your destination is farther away or requires time-consuming transfers such as taking a plane or renting a car may be the best option for you. If you have the resources, having an assigned driver will allow you to relax before and after your long flight while also eliminating the chance of getting lost in a new location.
Pack Self-Care Products and Stay On Track
Packing light for vacation ensures ease of movement when traveling from place to place which makes exploring more convenient. By packing self-care products such as any skin care products or fitness accessories, you can rest easy knowing that you can continue to participate in the routines that help you feel your best. Skin and hair can often respond differently in new environments. By using the products you are used to, you can maintain consistency. Continuing to engage in your wellness rituals will help you stay healthy and energized throughout your entire trip.
If you have habits in place such as eating healthy, meditation, or fitness regimens, try to keep them up during your time away. If you get off track, it may be harder to get back into the swing of things when you return home. Try starting the day with mediation and take time to walk, stretch, and engage in local fitness techniques.
Summary
Vacations don’t have to be stressful. A little planning goes a long way in assuring a stress-free travel experience. Whether you vacation at the last minute or plan early, there are steps that can be taken to ensure a smooth vacation. By being intentional from start to finish about what kind of vacation you want and planning ahead, you can have a relaxing time that gets you back into work feeling refreshed.
By following these tips when vacationing, not only will your trip allow for more relaxation, it will help prepare you to stay on track with your goals.
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Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Pinstripe Magazine. Creative thinker and menswear designer who has been writing articles dedicated to men’s fashion, lifestyle, luxury items, home design, gear, grooming and gadgets since 1998. For info on PinstripeMag, any editorial needs or to contact me please email at marv@pinstripemag.com.
