Some people equate vacation with stress. Between the planning, packing, logistics of travel, and making sure it’s paid for– you are physically & mentally ready for a break. By the time you check into your hotel, you are too wound up to actually relax. It’s time to reclaim your vacation! Here are 8 tips to help you relax and enjoy your vacation every single time.
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How to Decompress on Vacation
A Room With a View
Start by taking a little bit of time to make your hotel reservation. Don’t skim the room descriptions– read them thoroughly before you book one. Take a look at all the hotel rooms and their perspective views. For example, a room with a beautiful view can go a long way to help you enjoy your vacation. Imagine how you will feel if it takes your breath away each time you look out the window. Call the hotel if you have specific questions about amenities, elevator location, etc… Remember, a nice room improves your mood, giving you the best chance to enjoy your vacation.
Pay in Advance
Many people don’t go on vacation because they think it’s so expensive. I learned this tip firsthand. I realized my husband was able to relax more knowing we weren’t coming back home to a bunch of bills. So now, I try to pay for the large ticket items (travel and accommodations) well in advance. I’ve even paid for a cruise in installments up to 6 months prior to travel so that it wasn’t a huge financial burden,
But Stay in the Moment
Take this opportunity to unplug from social media. Limit the amount of eye strain by watching less TV and other electronic devices like cell phones, laptops, and readers. Notice I didn’t say avoid them. Unfortunately, some people feel more stressed about going cold turkey. If you’re one of these people, take baby steps in the direction of total deprivation–one day.
Settle In for a Good Time
Take the contents out of your luggage and put them away. Place your toothbrush and toothpaste up in the bathroom. And store your luggage in the closet, away from view. Unpacking will help you relax and finish the act of traveling which often adds to the stress of vacation.
Be Flexible
Travel is unpredictable. You can’t count on everything always working out. And when this happens, you’ve got to go with the flow. Make sure you have a backup plan if the weather turns, the ferry breaks down or you miss a connection. when you research tours and excursions, pay attention to their reliability. You may also want to consider travel insurance– just in case.
Don’t Over-do It
Don’t over-plan, over-pack or over-spend. People on vacation can easily overdo it. And by “it”, I mean everything. Don’t make too many plans, bring more stuff than you need or spend money you don’t have. If you want to enjoy your vacation, you need to keep it simple. The idea is to unload the baggage you’re already carrying.
Get Your Snack On
Sometimes anxiety arises when we leave our comfort zone. One of the best ways to conquer this is to bring along a comforting snack to enjoy. In addition, make sure you try the local foods and drinks. Head to a restaurant or lounge for a snack, drink, or meal. You want to enjoy your vacation, so avoid anything that could make you anxious or lethargic.
Treat Yourself
Don’t wait, get a massage, manicure, or pedicure as soon as you arrive. Any treatment that involves the senses (sight, touch, smell, sound, or smell) will help you relax and enjoy your vacation sooner. When we were in Thailand, Steven got an aromatherapy massage in the morning and once at night. This routine might sound excessive. But it helped him get a good night’s sleep which is also very important while on vacation.
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Comments
Definitely get your snack on and a room with a view never hurts! I would say space in the room as well as a smaller one is never relaxing. xo, Suzanne
Awesome tips! That first picture immediately made me smile. Agreed, it takes a couple of days to decompress but it is so important to unplug and stay in the moment. I’ll remember these tips when I go on my next vacation.
Great post, thank you! What I’ve learned about vacation is that it really does take 2-3 full days to decompress from life to really be able to relax and enjoy yourself!
These are some really great tips! I totally agree with paying and booking things in advance. It takes some of the stress off of you.
These are such great travel tips. Sometimes we over stress ourselves by trying to overplan LOL.
There are tips to enjoy and relax in a vacation? How dumb are people? They need tips for it? lol
There’s tips for everything. LOL. Everyone means to relax, but they make the mistake of trying to do too much, end up letting the stresses of travel and money get in the way.
Great tips for a relaxed trip. I spent 14 days on the coast of Greece in July and I almost took advantage of each of these tips. I was just a little on the internet in the morning while I was drinking coffee.
hmmm. Decompress, I like that. Maybe for next vacation. It’s just that when we go on vacation, we visit a new place. So we really maximize our time there, especially if it’s international travel. Then we get so tired haha
Love your tips and ideas for how to plan, have fun and relax while preparing for and enjoying vacation time!
Thank you for your support. I really love to travel and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
These are great tips, planning and preparation is needed to relax even during in the vacation. Also enjoy as much you can don’t worry about little things.
These are excellent tips and are easier to follow before you have kids or after you have an empty nest. Very hard to do these with kids though, but you are building great memories.
Thanks for your comment and perspectives. I’m an empty nester. Which points do you find particular hard to follow with kids. Other than a little more planning, I was able to do all the above with two kids in tow?
I do love to combine my holidays with both activities and relaxing moments. I definitely am all in for a room with a view and after a day of hiking I think there’s nothing better than a massage for example.
The real key to enjoying a vacation is the ability to stay in the moment and appreciate things as they are happening. When you aren’t doing that you are working in some way or another.
These are so good tips for vacation and relaxin on your trip x
Laura
Love these tips. I have to admit, I have issues being flexible. Once it’s set in my head, its done! I am working to change that đŸ™‚
You and my hubby. I have to remind him constantly that vacations aren’t supposed to feel like work. Things aren’t going to always work out, so chill and let’s enjoy whatever happens together.
With kids I always find myself planning out everything else no one can’t decide on what to do or when to do it. I liked all your other tips and it sounds wonderful!
I feel ya. Kids change it all up. They want what they want, when they want it. It makes much more sense to do more research and schedule activities with them. But even with them, I found if I stayed calm and flexible they seemed more relaxed too. The little ones just emulate us– actions and reactions. I would constantly remind myself that its the time we are spending together and not what we are doing. And as long as were together, its all good.
Those are really great tips on how to have a more enjoyable vacation. I especially love the ones about stay in the moment and be flexible. Both are important for having a good and relaxing time on vacation.
Yes, its hard to enjoy a really structure vacation unless thats what you’ve signed up for. You have to realize, something usually goes wrong when you travel.
These are excellent tips! I totally agree about paying in advance and not overdoing it. If you over plan on holiday, you never enjoy it!
g back to a huge unpaid bill is enough to really enjoy your time. I love being able to finance my trips through increments or installments.
These are great tips. I find with kids it is better to go with the flow of the day.
Thank you. Lol, kids always add flavor to the soup. I really appreciate your support and I hope you come back again soon.
You nailed it! The number one thing that helps me relax when traveling is unpacking even if I’m only there a night or two. đŸ™‚
I figured that out a long time. And I agree, I unpack no matter what. And stow my suitcase out of sight.
Im someone who gets stressed out over any type of event or vacation so these tips are greatly needed. Especially paying in advance
Jeff, I feel ya. I guess it helps that you know that in advance, so you can make some adjustments.
some great tips!! I also find it a great idea to read accommodation reviews before booking
You can’t get enough recommendations and opinions. I love them too, just make sure you get a feel for whether their opinions are valid from other postings.
I’m definitely guilty of over planning! I get so excited about all the things I can experience that I wouldn’t be able to do at home. I then end up with a hectic schedule.
These are some great tips! We are going on vacation this coming week and some of these things I definitely need to make sure I do!
Awesome!! I hope you are going somewhere fun ad that you enjoy your vacation time.
Great tips!!! I wrote a post on traveling with kids and ways to make it easier!! There is so much that goes into traveling (with or without kids) but a little planning can make it more enjoyable and relaxing!! Thank you for the tips.
Staying in the moment is something I struggle with. It is so hard to unplug sometimes, but totally essential for a more relaxing vacation.