No More Hectic Vacations!
If you’ve ever come back from vacation less rested than when you left, you’re probably overscheduling yourself. With the price of travel higher than ever, it’s tempting to try to “do it all” to make the most of your precious travel dollars.
A hectic vacation, however, defeats the purpose of taking time away from work and other obligations. Vacations should give your mind and body a much-needed change of scenery and change of pace, so you return ready to tackle life’s challenges. Here’s how:
- Start out slow. Make your first day your least scheduled, no matter how eager you are to get out and explore. You’ve probably been running around getting things tied up at work and home and are still stressed. Let the first day adjust your body clock to a slower pace.
- Whenever possible, turn off your cell phone, PDA, laptop, etc. If you absolutely have to check in at work, schedule one time each day to do so. The rest of the time, you’re on vacation!
- Do your research before you leave home so you have an idea of the major attractions and highlights you want to see and do when you’re away. Don’t waste precious time each day trying to decide what to do.
- Plan just one major activity for each day. If you schedule two museums, a water park and an evening at the theater just to make everyone in the family happy, chances are no one will be happy.
- Allow enough time for sleep. Vacations are meant to recharge your battery.
- Allow time for getting lost or stuck in traffic in an unfamiliar city, and try to take unexpected roadblocks in stride.
- Enjoy the atmosphere of another state or country. You could run around and try to squeeze in every attraction, but you’ll learn more about the people and culture by hanging out in a café.
- Eat the local food and avoid chain restaurants that you could just as easily visit at home.
- Consider taking a journal or sketch pad. It forces you to sit still and just think. It will also help you remember the names of sites, cuisine and other important people and things you encounter.
If you do it right, your vacation should leave you relaxed, rejeuvenated, refreshed and ready to resume your day-to-day routine.
Question:
What do you do to relax on vacation?
