Tips for a Worry-Free, Relaxing Vacation:
You finally get some time off, and you want to make the most of it. However, vacation can sometimes come with its own set of stressors because it can be hard to unwind and let go of all your responsibilities. That’s why Captain Laura with Kurt Brown of TravelTipTank.com have assembled some handy tips to help you make sure you’re reaping all the benefits of a vacation without stressing about it!
Protect Your Home:
There’s always that one thing you can’t quite put your finger on the moment you pull away from home. You fear you forgot something or left the garage door open. To help put your mind at ease, take a final walk through your house before you leave, double-checking that all entryways are secure and locked. If you don’t have an alarm system, consider asking your neighbors to watch over your house while you’re gone and have them alert you to any suspicious activity.
Make sure you stop the mail because if it piles up while you’re gone, that’s a surefire sign no one is home. Retrieve any hidden keys and leave the lights on or a car parked in the driveway because this leaves the impression that someone is home, and may prevent a burglary.
Lastly, give your home a good cleaning before heading out. Coming back home after a vacation requires a bit of decompression, and a clean, clutter-free home can welcome you back with open arms. And since clutter and messiness can cause you to feel stressed, eliminating these elements can make your return home a little less overwhelming and a lot more inviting.
Work Hard, Play Hard:
It can be hard to let go of all the work waiting for you when you get back from vacation. But don’t let the stress of everyday life hold you back from enjoying a much-needed break. You work hard, so don’t feel guilty for taking some time off. Leave work at home by letting your clients know ahead of time that you will be unreachable while you’re away.
Don’t Stop Learning:
If you want to remain competitive in an ever-changing job market, sometimes the best option is to go back to school. These days, it’s far easier to earn your business bachelor’s degree through flexible online programs that allow you to learn at your own pace, without having to take extra time off work to attend classes in traditional classrooms. That means you’re only limited by the effort you’re willing to put in, and any lessons you learn can be implemented in real time as you work to give your career the boost it deserves.
Unplug:
For most of us, separation anxiety tends to kick in the second our phones are out of reach. FOMO (fear of missing out) has us constantly needing to be plugged into the world. In order to reconnect and replenish our mental health, sometimes we need to disconnect. Take the time to move or delete certain apps from your phone so you avoid opening them throughout the day. If you can’t disconnect completely, limit yourself to a specific time of day in which you can check social media, and then try to put your devices away for the rest of the day. It’s more important to soak in the benefits of your vacation than it is to document every second of it.
For small business owners, this can be easier said than done. However, with some careful planning and preparation, you can get away from things for a while without worrying too much about what’s happening back at the office. Just make sure you train employees to cover tasks you’d normally handle, and let important clients know who will be taking care of things while you’re away.
If you are going on vacation, make sure you actually step away from work. Truly understand. Don’t bring work with you. You might find things back at work run much smoother when you are not there. If this is the case, learn from that also, and reconfigure your outlook and the way you do business accordingly.
Calm Your Body:
If you’re having trouble quieting your mind, try working out your body. Get a massage, meditate, or do some yoga to clear your head. It’s important that you plan some downtime and don’t over schedule yourself with sightseeing. Your body, mind, and soul need to recharge.
Set Reasonable Expectations:
Sometimes the hype of vacationing can be a lot of pressure. You spend months preparing and looking forward to it, and then if it doesn’t go as planned, you end up feeling disappointed. So, avoid the “shoulds” of vacationing and remember that you don’t have to do anything. The goal is to rest, so keep it low-key and be flexible. And while relaxing is important, don’t be afraid to do something out of the ordinary or try something new.
If you don’t want to be stressed on your next vacation, make sure you prepare your home and workplace for your departure. Try to calm your body and mind with some relaxing activities, and do your best to limit time spent on your smartphone. Enjoy!
Captain Laura is a commercial airline pilot, flight instructor, consultant, and author. If you have any questions or you’d like to collaborate, don’t hesitate to reach out! More fabulous information at www.TravelTipTank.com!
Image via Pixabay
Wishing you Blue Skies and Smooth Flights!
Captain Laura with Kurt Brown of Travel Tip Tank
