Are you taking every opportunity to recharge, or do you constantly need a vacation from your vacation?
“No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.” Elbert Hubbard
You’ll soon have some time off. You want to take a break from the day to day. You’re desperate for some relaxation time. However, there’s plenty of effort involved in making all the plans, finding and timing flights and car rentals, picking the perfect lodging, and paying for everything in advance. A twinge of anxiety may even settle in before the vacation starts — what if the vacation isn’t as good as you want it to be?
Talk about pressure. You haven’t even left yet, and it already feels as if you need a vacation from your vacation.
Seek Maximum Regeneration So You Don’t End Up Needing a Vacation from Your Vacation
It’s important to take full advantage of every opportunity to recharge your batteries in order to optimize your health.
When planning your time away, remember why you’re going in the first place. Regeneration.
Regeneration comes in many forms, whether it’s hiking to connect with nature, meditating to clear your mind, or just enjoying a quiet moment sipping your coffee in the morning. Building in the time to regenerate is critical when pursuing overall health. Use your away from work time to amplify your tranquility and come back to the real world feeling brand new instead of feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.
5 Tips on Designing Your Ideal Vacation
Here are 5 tips on how to design a regenerative break:
- Choose your destination with intention. Don’t just throw dart at a map on the wall. Take into consideration your goals for your time off, such as having fun, resting, experiencing a new culture, enjoying some night life, or adventuring outdoors. Then choose a location that allows you to achieve those goals. If you know that you’ll be surrounded by opportunities to get the most out of your vacation, you’ll be less anxious about your upcoming travel.
- Don’t overschedule – better yet, skip scheduling altogether. Sure, you live and die by your calendar Monday through Friday, but taking a vacation isn’t always just about changing locations. It can also be a great benefit to your mental health to also take a break from your mindset. Make looser plans, like “head to the beach for lunch” or “grab a drink nearby.” Overscheduling yourself can actually distract you from what’s really important. The decision on what to eat or where to drink will only cause you more stress if you try to make perfect choices weeks in advance. Planning for a little spontaneity can be freeing.
- Expect the expected and don’t get annoyed when it happens. Flights get delayed, traffic is everywhere, and early check-in at your hotel is almost a myth. The truth is that you’ll hit roadblocks on your path towards rejuvenation. Leave a little extra time to get to and from the airport. Have a backup plan if your chosen restaurant is way too crowded for your taste. You won’t need a vacation from your vacation when you take the hiccups in stride and always remember the big picture.
- Skip the self judgment and the pity parties. Don’t let other people’s opinions get in the way of your happiness. And definitely don’t let yourself get in the way of your own happiness. Avoid the “comparing mind,” and practice accepting yourself. If you want to go to Disneyland for the 58th time, go. If you want to take hula lessons, get your hips shaking. If you want to read romance novels when you’re not napping in a resort beach chair, read and nap away. There’s no purpose for regret when you’re on your own time. Take pride in what makes you smile, and make the best of your restorative plans.
- Adopt a vacation attitude from day one. Set a day or time to “start your vacation” — that means silencing your email alerts, having your bags packed and ready, and putting your headphones on with your get away playlist rolling. As soon as you leave home, adopt a different mindset. You’re on leave, and you deserve it. Put on your Hawaiian shirt, break out the sunscreen, and own your time away until you come back to reality.
Come Back a Fresher, Better You
Following these few tips is a great start to really embracing regeneration and ditching the negativity that can come with vacation planning. (In addition, support your digestive health as you travel by drinking Phyllanthus niruri tea daily to maintain your health while you’re away and help process unusual or exotic foods. Proper digestion will help you avoid the discomfort and stress that often accompany eating and drinking in airports, on airplanes, and in settings that are outside of your normal environment.)
If you can focus on your needs, let the wind carry you a little, plan for bumps in the road, and get in the right mindset sooner rather than later, then you won’t need a vacation from your vacation the minute you get home.
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