In my previous blog I discussed the fine art of vacationing. For some workaholics, scheduling time off to enjoy some well-deserved R&R is a daunting task.
The following are some tips on how to make the transition from slaving at your desk for 16 hours a day to reclining in a lounge chair on a tropical island a bit easier.
Plan Ahead. Nothing creates stress faster than when you are forced to run around like a headless chicken. Make sure you book reservations in advance for flights, accommodations and activities, and have confirmation information on hand prior to leaving on your trip. That way you avoid getting yourself worked up trying to find a place to stay at the last minute.
Pack Lightly. Remember, the more items you take with you the more you stand to lose should your luggage not reach your destination. Also, the more you take on vacation, the more hassle it will be to carry it from place to place.
Don’t Over-schedule. The goal is to create a stress-free environment. Avoid treating your time off as though you’re still at your office scheduling every single second of your day. It’s wonderful to take advantage of the local attractions and interesting activities offered at vacation destinations, but it’s also a good idea to balance your day trips with downtime. You want your vacation to be fun, not exhausting.
Be Flexible. It is very rare when a vacation goes exactly as planned. Chances are something will go wrong at some point during your trip… so anticipate it and be flexible. It also doesn’t hurt to pack some patience and your sense of humor—and plan to use both when you run into the obligatory roadblocks.
Leave Time To Decompress. This is one tip I rarely employ myself and end up paying for it in the long run. If you only have a week off, try to leave a day or two on the back end to get home, unwind from your trip, do some laundry, and go through the mail before having to readjust to the daily grind.
With that said, I find it interesting that studies have found that people’s daily stress returned to pre-vacation levels within three weeks of their return. But, knowing that having a short, stress-free period once in a while can have positive physical effects should inspire you to get out those travel brochures and start planning your next adventure.
Here’s some information that may help you:
Everything You Need To Know About Hawaii
Everything You Need To Know About New York
Everything You Need To Know About Other Popular Travel Destinations