How to Actually Enjoy Your Next Vacation the Way You Deserve
For some people, vacations are a way to escape the everyday stressors of life. You can step out of your comfort zone and your daily routines and let those things fall away as you take a breath with no schedules to abide by. Without those obligations of everyday life, you can relax, right?
Not for everyone. If you spend every vacation feeling frazzled, we’ve got you covered with tips for planning a vacation that won’t leave you saying, “vacations stress me out!”.
Before you dive in, remember that our professionals are always here to help
Why is going on vacation stressful?
There are a number of reasons that you may find taking a vacation to be a little (or a lot) more stressful than you hoped. Vacation is often a way to step out of the daily ebb and flow of life- work, chores, obligations, and schedules that may begin to feel boring and busy at the same time. But it’s often those things that make a vacation stressful. Breaking from the routine we hope to leave behind as we relax into our respite can leave you feeling a bit on edge instead.
Vacation might be stressful because you don’t know what to expect and feel you must prepare for anything. “Expect the unexpected” becomes a new refrain for “Vacations stress me out” so before it even begins, you’re already dreading it. Vacation may also come with some financial strain due to the rising cost of travel or unanticipated expenses like meals, transit, or lodging tax at your destination. For some people, it’s the thought of asking for time off work or the avalanche of tasks that will await them when they return that prevents them from feeling the thrill of a break.
Women are more prone to vacation fatigue
While the pressures of vacation are certainly not tied to gender, expectation in work and life certainly seems to be. As such, women tend to face a higher sense of vacation stress than men report. With a desire to ensure her family and loved ones are cared for, women may take on a higher load of effort to make the vacation successful before and during the trip. Women may feel like they’re obligated to make the lists, create a plan, and a backup plan too- just in case.
The role of mother and ringleader in a family often leads women to feel as if they must help prepare everyone around them for the departure from the regularly scheduled planning of life, all the while she neglects to do the same for herself. Add these pressures to professional roles, and women are teeming with stress from their attempts at relaxation. When it comes to working, women are more likely to log extra hours ahead of vacation and think about work while they’re gone.
Tips to enjoy without overextending yourself
It might feel a bit defeating to see all this laid out for you. Don’t stress! If you’re thinking you’ll never get a break from the pressure and actually have a chance to unwind, we’ve got tips for planning a vacation that will help you get ahead of stress without adding pressure.
Take a vacation from expectations
Before you schedule your trip, set a boundary for yourself around the expectations you’ll have about this experience. It can be tempting to make a bucket list that encompasses every possibility for adventure available to you, but let’s call it self-care to resist that temptation! Let this vacation be a break from expectations as well and see what happens when you open yourself up to the possibility of your experience.
Low-stress schedules will help
If there are some things you’ve really got your heart set on or particular goals that will make your vacation extraordinary, be sure to leave enough space in the schedule to enjoy them. You don’t have to schedule every moment of the vacation to be meaningful. Leave time for rest and reflection within your itinerary to truly make meaning from moments that arise during your vacation.
Consider all-inclusive vacations
Vacation packages can be an all-star alternative to planning your own trip. In addition to helping you accomplish the first two tips on this list, inclusive vacations can help you to reduce unexpected expenses and let go of the uncertainty of vacation planning. After all, you’re paying (often a well-discounted sum) someone else to do that for you!
Delegate tasks to other people
Even if you are planning your own vacation, it is perfectly okay to take a page from the inclusive trip’s book and delegate tasks to other people in your life. It doesn’t matter if it’s a family trip, a girl’s weekend or a solo night away, let someone else handle some of what needs done. Make a list of what’s not negotiable and then break it down into sensible delegations to any and everyone that may be able to help!
If you’re trying to go from “vacations stress me out” to truly cruise control on vacation mode, you’re already a step ahead in recognizing there’s a difference. Whether you’re taking a trip away or planning a staycation, this next vacation can be a low-effort, high-reward experience for everyone, including yourself!
Need help navigating less stress and more self-love? Reach out today!
