Useful Tips On How To Fully Enjoy And Destress On Your Next Trip

So, you’re planning a long-awaited vacation. However, even holidays can be stressful. You’re no longer in a familiar place, and there’s always the chance that something unexpected and out of the left-field will take place, ruining the time off you’ve been looking forward to. 

And that’s without taking into account the smaller stressors that are part of travel – the actual traveling part, whether that be by flight or car, figuring out how to avoid either overpacking or under-packing and more. If you have kids, you’re probably also stressed about having to corral them into getting ready. 

With all this looming in front of you, sometimes travel can seem like a bigger chore than it is worth. Luckily, however, there are steps you can take to destress while you travel. 

Research Well
Traveling is not just about moving from one place to another; it's a journey to discover, relax, and enrich your life. To fully enjoy and destress on your next trip, thorough research about your destination can make a world of difference. Knowing where to go, what to see, and how to navigate the transport options ensures a smooth, enjoyable experience. Start with a list of must-visit places famous in the city or area you're planning to explore. This preparation allows you to soak in the essence of the destination, making each moment count.

For those who relish good food, delving into the culinary delights of your destination is a must. Each place has its unique flavors and dishes that tell the story of its culture and traditions. For instance, if you're visiting Vancouver, British Columbia, don't miss out on Parksville's premier dining destination, which offers a variety of cuisines to satisfy your taste buds. This specific spot is renowned for its exceptional food, making it a perfect example of how little research can lead to unforgettable dining experiences.

Transportation is another crucial aspect of your travel plans. Knowing the available modes of transport helps in planning your day efficiently, whether it's public transportation, renting a vehicle, or even walking tours. It ensures that you spend less time worrying about how to get there and more time enjoying your destination.

Have a Calm Mindset

There’s always a risk that something unexpected will happen during your travels. For example, your flight may be delayed, you may have to wait a little longer than usual until the hotel is able to turn your room over at check-in, or inclement weather may ruin your sightseeing plans for the day. 

However, regardless of what happens, it’s essential to be able to enjoy this extra time. Being able to have a calm mindset has numerous benefits, including reducing stress. When the unexpected happens, you should train yourself to see it as unplanned downtime that you can make use of. 

Read a book that you’ve been putting off or listen to a new album by your favorite artist – if you’re able to bring yourself to take a breath and look at the positive side of delays, you’ll soon realize that traveling is suddenly less stressful than it’s ever been. 

Plan Your Journey

Going on an impromptu vacation can seem like fun, but it also has the potential for a significant amount of stress. If you haven’t taken the time to book a hotel or get an idea of what you do once you reach your destination, you’ll spend half your “time off” stressing yourself out in an attempt to plan things on the fly. 

Even if you’re leaving at the last minute, take an hour or two out of your day to make a schedule before you actually leave. As pointed out by the reviews at ThisHotel, the first step of this plan is to look at hotel reviews so that you can book the best possible option for your stay. This ensures that you don’t have to worry about turning up at a B&B or a hostel, only to discover they’re sold out, and you need to figure out a new plan. 

Once you’ve got your stay figured out, do some quick research about possible entertainment options at your location. This doesn’t mean you need to make a detailed itinerary if you don’t want to – but having an idea of your options ensures that you won’t have to frantically research things to do at the last moment. 

Additionally, if the smaller logistics of your trip – like packing your bags and ensuring your home is clean before you leave – are stressing you out, take the time to write out a schedule for when you need to complete them. This reduces the risk of procrastination and ensures you won’t have to worry about having forgotten something when you’re supposed to be on holiday, relaxing. 

Build-in Additional Travel Time

One of the most stressful aspects of traveling is the actual travel process. As mentioned above, delays are part and parcel of the process, so having a calm mindset is essential – but another factor to consider when traveling is how busy your point of departure will be. 

Depending on the time of day and whether you’re in the middle of tourist season, railway stations and airports can get extremely busy. This means that arriving just on time will not guarantee you’ll be able to make your plane or train – and the last thing you want is to find out you’ve missed your trip after spending so long planning it. 

To reduce the risk of this happening, make sure you’ve built enough time on both ends of your journey. 

Airports specifically recommend you get there early, as you’ll have to first go through significant security and – if you’re traveling internationally – immigration. They recommend going there two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights, though adding a couple of hours to that number is a great idea if you’re worried about missing your flight. If you do get done with security early, you have time to visit the lounge to relax, and – depending on which airport you’re in – you’ll also be able to grab a bite or spend time shopping at duty-free shops. 

Ideally, you should also have some space built in once you reach your destination, especially if you’re traveling internationally. You may have to undergo customs clearance and – if you’re flying – wait at baggage claim if you have checked-in bags. All of this takes time and sometimes can take longer than expected. If you’ve got something planned for the moment after you reach your destination and are caught up with logistics, you’ll find yourself stressed. 

Know Your Budget

Holidays mean spending money – on the actual travel, booking a place to stay in, and spending money while you’re away from home, including meals, sightseeing, and souvenirs. It’s also a time when people worry about spending too much. It depends on whether your destination is more pricey like New Zealand’s Oamaru or any other affordable getaway somewhere in South East Asia, as long as you have your itinerary for you or with your family.

Before you make any bookings, have a clear idea of your budget for the trip and how much you are willing to spend on expenses like meals. If you’re tight on money, look for ways to reduce spending, like buying ingredients from the grocery store and making your own meals instead of eating out. 

Having a clear idea of your budget will reduce the risk of you going overboard and allow you to decide how to best allocate your funds. This means you won’t be worrying throughout your trip about how much you’re spending, and there’s less chance that you’ll find yourself in a financial bind when you return home. 

Travelling may seem fraught with stress every step of the way, especially if you’re traveling with other people. However, with a little pre-planning and a cool head, you’ll find that you can spend your vacations exactly as they should be spent – relaxing and destressing from your everyday life!