Here's a great article from UpTake by Britt Reints back in March of 2009 which allows vacationers spend a more relaxed, stress free and enjoyable vacation. If you really want to have a
"real vacation" then read on.
8 Ways To Relax On Vacation: Travel Tips For Relaxing
My mother likes to remind me that a vacation is supposed to be about relaxing. I tend to make lists and itineraries and plan as many things to do as possible for my vacations.
But, my mom is right. Sometimes the best vacations aren’t about all the things you can get done, but about all the things you don’t have to do.
8 Tips For A Relaxing Vacation
1. Stay at an all inclusive resort – I’ve often made the mistake of avoiding all-inclusive resorts because of cost and lack of variety. I tell myself I need to go to a city and see everything, not just the inside of a luxurious resort.
But when you need to truly relax and let go, an all inclusive resort can be the perfect escape. Not only are you taking a break from work, but you don’t have to worry about the other details that can consume a vacation like “where are we eating?” and “how do we get there?” and “what are we going to do this afternoon?” Most resorts will offer several dining options on site, transportation is as easy as an elevator ride, and you’ll usually find a full activity calendar centered around multiple pools and rec rooms.
2. Go to the water - Whether it’s a beach, a river or a quiet lake not far from home, the waterfront provides a soothing backdrop for a relaxing vacation.
The best thing about the beach or a lake is that you don’t have to do anything to enjoy it. Sure, you can swim or surf or fish – depending on the waterfront you’ve found yourself on. But you can also just sit. And watch. And listen. I’ve yet to meet a stressed out adult that couldn’t appreciate just sitting on the beach, listening to the sound of the waves.
3. Unpack your suitcase – It doesn’t matter if it’s a long weekend or an extended 10 day vacation, living out of a suitcase sucks.
Digging through luggage every morning can make you feel cluttered and disorganized. Cluttered and disorganized are not feelings that are conducive to total relaxation. It’s a constant reminder that you’re not home in your own space – and not in a good way. Taking the time to put your clothes in the drawers and in closets and unpack your bathroom things creates a home away from home feeling in even the shabbiest hotel room.
4. Make lists, not itineraries – you can still go sightseeing and play tourist without stressing yourself out. The trick is to loosen the reigns on your schedule a little bit.
Before you leave for your vacation, make a list of the attractions and things to do in the area you want to see. Take note of prices, hours of operation and days they might be closed. Make a loose outline instead of rigorous time sheet. “On Tuesday we’ll head over to the museum. When we get done there, we’ll go shopping.” There’s a big difference between “when we get done” and “by 3 we should be at the mall.” You can still hit the high points without the added stress of keeping an eye on your watch for your entire vacation. Be in the moment, so to speak.
5. Bring cash – If you’re traveling on a budget, it’s hard to fully enjoy the things you’re spending money on if you’re keeping a running total of what you’ve spent in the back of your mind.
Decide on a budget that makes sense for you before you leave. Regardless of how much or how little you can afford, take out all the cash you’ve budgeted for spending money – souveneirs, dinners out, tips, etc. Now, you obviously don’t need to be walking around with massive wads of cash. Put the bulk of it in the hotel safe and take out what you need for the day (or night, whatever). This might seem silly, but it’s a lot more freeing to know you can spend whatever you’ve got on you without worrying about a surprise on your credit card (or bank statement) when you get home. It’s hard to relax if you’re stressing about money.
6. Pamper yourself - Self indulgence is relaxing. It’s especially relaxing if your primary role in your real life is to take care of other people (see: moms, dads, husbands, wives, managers, and practically any responsible adult).
Indulgence means something different for everyone. It might be a 90 minute message at an actual spa, or buying something because it fits and not just because it’s on sale. Maybe it’s ordering whatever you want at a great restaurant or going to a popular Broadway show. Or maybe it’s convincing your wife to go para sailing with you even though it’s $60 a person for a 15 minute ride. Whatever your selfish indulgence is, allow yourself at least one just for you thing on your vacation. Use your head and you don’t have to break the bank to feel like you’ve been spoiled.
7. Get enough sleep – Do you ever notice how exhausted people are when they get home from vacation? Maybe it’s because they stayed up late and woke up early in a frantic attempt to get it all in.
I’m guilty of this. I tell myself I can get caught up on my sleep when my vacation is over. Because it is so much easier to get a good night’s sleep when you’re back to working full time, unpacking and catching up on laundry. No. I’m not suggesting you sleep your vacation away, but if a solid 8 hours or an afternoon nap means scratching a few items of your list of things to do, it might be a sacrifice to consider. As cliche as it sounds, being well rested is crucial to really relaxing.
8. Unplug - I consider an iPhone a necessary travel accessory. I stock up on iPhone apps for traveling. But even I can appreciate the value in not being constantly connected while I’m on vacation.
Do you know people used to leave home without cell phones? There was a time when people would go days without answering emails! How did they ever survive? The fact is, the world will not fall apart if you’re unreachable for a few days. If you’ve left the kids at home with a sitter, it might be important to keep your phone on for emergencies – but it’s also OK to say “please call for emergencies and not just to chat or check in.” Let people know ahead of time that you’re going on vacation and set up a plan with key people to reach you in case of emergencies. And if the friend you haven’t talked to in months pops up on caller ID, don’t be afraid to take advantage of voice mail.
Remember that you’re paying for this vacation. And it’s OK to take a break from all the responsibilities and obligations once in a while. It will all still be there waiting for you when your vacation is over – whether you’ve spent that time truly relaxing or not. Make the most of it!
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