Oh, sweet vacation. That time when you can run away from the drudgery and mundaneness of your everyday work life and escape for some much needed rest and relaxation.
But, if you’re constantly scrolling through your email, checking in on Facebook, and mentally running through all of those tasks and to-dos you’ll need to take care of once you get back home, you might just come back feeling more stressed than when you left.
Remember, your vacation is your time to fully recharge. And, if you don’t commit yourself to that, your time off will have been totally counterproductive. So, to help you out with that foreign concept of leaving all of your worries behind, here are five tips that will ensure you fully recharge during your time away.
1. Prepare
Spoiler alert: Making sure you have a relaxing vacation starts well before you’re wheels up and on your way—weeks before, as a matter of fact.
Adequately preparing yourself (and your workload!) for the time spent away from the shackles of your desk is key. After all, your vacation won’t be at all restful if your thoughts are constantly consumed by that daunting to-do list you left behind.
So, start preparing for that time off weeks ahead of time. Make yourself a list of the things that should be accomplished by the time you set that “out of office” message. That way, you can jet off feeling like you’re all caught up. Having those loose ends taken care of will help you feel that much more relaxed and detached while you’re away.
2. Do Something You Enjoy
On any given day, your schedule fills up relatively quickly. Work, errands, loading the dishwasher, doing your laundry—your time is jammed pack with things you don’t necessarily want to do, but have to do.
This is why your vacation is the perfect time to sneak away and steal some time for your greatest passions. Whether it’s a round of golf or diving into a juicy novel on the beach, make sure you leave plenty of downtime for those things you never manage to find the hours for back at home.
Spending a few days doing all of the things that you absolutely love? It’ll not only make your vacation that much better, but ensure you return home with a relaxed, happy attitude and a fresh perspective.
3. Unplug (Yes, Really!)
You knew this tip was going to appear on the list somewhere—and here it is, in all its glory. In order to truly relax on your vacation, you need to disconnect and spend some time away from those things that pester you in your everyday life.
Yes, that means not checking your email and resisting the temptation to post every last detail of your trip on Facebook. Step away from the screen and place your focus on living in the moment and actually enjoying your time away.
Giving your brain (not to mention your eyes) a break from being constantly glued to a screen will make your vacation that much sweeter.
4. Don’t Be Overly Frugal
Normally, I’m a proponent of being financially responsible and trying to save as much as you can. But—let’s face it—you don’t take a vacation to save money. You work hard to earn this time away, so don’t stress yourself out by trying to be as frugal as possible.
If you can stay in that much nicer hotel for just $25 more a night? Go for it! If you’re desperate to go on that parasailing adventure, but the price tag is a little heftier than you’d prefer? Just fork over the cash and do it!
Work hard, play hard is actually sound advice. Of course, as with anything, there’s a line here. But, don’t take away from your own vacation just to save a few dollars here and there.
5. Do Nothing
If you really want to kick back and relax on your vacation? Make sure to leave a little bit of time to just do nothing.
Sure, it sounds boring. But, how often do you get to just sit down and let your mind wander—without having to obsess over shopping lists, work projects, and constant to-dos?
So, go ahead and enjoy some time spent doing absolutely nada. When you’ve grown so accustomed to the craziness of everyday life, that time for quiet and relaxation can work wonders. You’ll be surprised!
Vacation is the perfect opportunity to take some time away, recharge your batteries, and fill your motivation tank. However, it really only works if you make a conscious effort to actually relax. After all, a vacation spent checking your email doesn’t accomplish much—even if you do it from a beach.
Instead, you need to take some steps to ensure you don’t just change locations, but actually get away from it all. Put these five tips into play, and you’ll definitely make the most of your vacation. Remember, we all deserve some time off—so enjoy it!
