HOW TO ENJOY RELAXED HOLIDAYS ?
The main purposes of holidays are to relax, to escape your everyday stress and to recharge your batteries. However, many people experience anxiety before they actually arrive at their holiday destination. This anxiety is mostly due to the fear of the unknown. But not foreseeing everything is also part of the fun and vacations wouldn’t be so enjoyable without a few surprises !
If you are likely to be affected by anxiety before and while traveling, follow these few recommendations :
- Travel to a place which suits you. If you love nature, go to the countryside, away from large cities. If you crave for relaxing on a white sand beach, go to a tropical island. By going to a place you like, you will considerably lower your level of anxiety. If you travel for the first time, seek detailed information regarding the place where you intend to go, and make sure you will find all the activities you like there.
- Choose a destination easily accessible for you, this will enable you to adapt quickly. For example, go to a country where people speak your language.
- Don’t think too much about what you should bring and wear while on holidays. This type of questions will only increase your anxiety and lead to unnecessary tensions. The only things you must not forget are your passport with your visa, your credit or debit cards and your plane or train tickets. If you need any piece of clothing (like a jacket if you are cold for example) or any toiletry item while on holidays, you can always purchase them in a local shop.
- Don’t forget to bring a photocopy of your passport and of all your important papers. Always keep the originals in a safe place while traveling (like in the safe of your hotel room for example), and carry the photocopies.
- Bring a travel guide, as well as a language dictionary if you are not familiar with the language spoken in your country of destination.
- Don’t travel alone, this will lead to a high level of anxiety. Travel with friends or family members. But choose your travel-buddies carefully, and make sure their travel expectations are compatible with yours to avoid conflicts while on holidays. It is essential that they are really attracted by the destination you intend to go to, and that they share the same daily habits as you.
- Plan your holidays and book your accommodation and activities ahead. Internet will be very helpful for that. However, be gentle with yourself. Avoid busy schedules and itineraries completely fixed in advance, to leave some space for interesting experiences and surprises, which are part of the joys of holidays. Remain flexible and follow your desires.
- Avoid being sick while on holidays, which is a huge source of stress. Always have good hygiene practices and follow basic food safety rules : regularly wash your hands with clean water and soap, drink only safe water (preferably from a sealed bottle), don’t eat raw, under cooked or suspicious food (especially meat, fish and seafood), and avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
