Sure vacations are meant to be relaxing but they can end up being more stressful than your day job! Check out these top tips for avoiding traveling stress and relaaaaaaaax.
I’ve worked myself up into some fits of traveling stress on several occasions that’s for sure. But what a shame, this is our time out!
Check out the 10 tips below on beating vacation stress, I hope they help you chill!!
1. Learn Some Words
Language misunderstandings and misapprehensions can be incredibly frustrating. Take the time to learn some key words and phrases before you go that should help you to get your point across.
2. Prepare for all Scenarios
Don’t get caught out without that medication you can only get at home or the only shoes that you can hike in. Think through all the eventualities you might encounter and come prepared for each one. And don’t scrimp on travel insurance, it’s just not worth it.
3. Be Airport Smart
Airports can induce high stress levels so be airport smart: book your seats online and leave plenty of time for check-in so you can sail through onto your flight without a care in the world.
4. Take Two Clear Days
It takes two days to unwind from work and settle into your vacation. Fact. So don’t make any plans and take these days to ease yourself into your new surroundings and get used to doing nothing.
5. Get into the Zone
So you’re an incredibly efficient, organized, high-achieving individual. Not anymore – you’re on vacation! Relieve yourself from the pressure of trying to create the perfect trip – be flexible, go with the flow and everything will just slot into place.
6. Ditch the Kids
Not in a nasty way of course, but if there are facilities to leave the kids for a day or an evening – go for it. Take some quiet kids-free time and don’t feel guilty, you deserve it!
7. Don’t Over-Plan
Remember the goal of the trip is to relax. So as much as you’d love to go on every tour on offer and see everything in the guidebook, be realistic. Leave yourself some free-time each day, otherwise it’s just not fun.
8. Take the Easy Option
So the taxi’s more expensive and you could do the tour yourself but if it’s going to save you time and effort in the long-run, take the easy option – you’re on vacation!
9. Cut Yourself Off
This is an obvious one. You don’t need me to tell you that checking your Blackberry, or even facebook, every two seconds isn’t conducive to a relaxing vacation. Don’t do it!
10. Invest in Relaxation
For some people just being in the sun with nothing to do isn’t enough to help them relax. Book a massage, take a yoga class or practice meditation. Whatever you think will help you relax and unwind.
Got vacation stress stories?? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!
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10 comments… read them below or Add a Comment
great list!! although it would stress me out to leave my kids with strangers, so that one wouldn’t work for me personally. :)
i LOVE #9. TOO TRUE!
Great list, Katie. I would add, prepare for your trip ahead of time. Don’t wait to pack at the last minute, it will only add to the stress. Aim to be ready a day or two ahead so that when you shut that front door, your ready to rest and relax rather than needing to recuperate from the preparations.
My favorite trick listed is the take two days one to ease into your vacation…absolutely essential!
All good advice for mimizing stress and maximizing pleasure on your trips!
Great tips!
Just got back from Disney World. I need a vacation! (At least I didn’t have to pay for the trip. Otherwise we wouldn’t have gone.)
But talk about stressful. Crowds, lines, pushy people. Sure the kids had a ball, but I’m tired. The 5 hour delay at the airport on the way home didn’t help. We got home at 2am!!
But I like your “ditch the kids” tip! My wife and I went our one night and that was very relaxing. (The in-laws babysat!)
Thanks,
Bring Back pluto
“ONE of THE GUYS”
I’m a huge fan of #4, taking time before and after the trip to prepare and unwind. If I hit the ground running when I get back, the vacation just ended on a stressful note. Homecoming should be part of the vacation! Thanks for the great tips.
Good insights! I like your tips! Also, you have such a gift in writing, keep it up!
Good point Lorraine, taking two slow-paced days after you return sounds like a great idea!!
I love the list. Thanks for writing. I too would not want to leave my kids alone or with anyone else though.
These are GREAT tips! I will definitely keep them in mind on my next trip.
Wow what a great list, number two can be a huge problem to someone in another country. That is why I am glad i went to Canada for my vacation. Most speak both french and English so that wasn’t a problem. We went to some great places too, you should take a look and plan your own vacation!