The feeling of excitement and anticipation that precedes our much anticipated vacations is quite delicious. It is this very anticipation that can make all the little snafus that happen once we get to our destination all the more hard to handle. We just want everything to be perfect, and when it’s not, we don’t handle it so well. But, traveling can be stressful, and the unexpected hiccups are normal. Then there is that pressure we can feel to make the most of our time and end up running ourselves ragged. Here are just a few tips to maximize your enjoyment, no matter the destination.
Don’t Do Stuff You Don’t Actually Feel Like Doing
This tip may seem kind of obvious, but we can feel a lot of pressure when we are on vacation to load up every minute with sight-seeing and activities. We paid good money to take this trip, and we need to make the most of it, and we end up exhausted. I’m certainly not advocating laying around your hotel room the entire time, only leaving to stuff your face; I’m just merely suggesting you choose your activities wisely to maximize your enjoyment and let go of that “checklist mentality” that can overtake us when traveling.
Not only will you have a better time, you’ll save your precious dollars to spend on stuff that you would really like to do, like that Caribbean yacht charter that will make you feel like a fancy rich person for the day, or those spa treatments that you so adore.
Keep Perspective on Your “Problems”
Like it was mentioned earlier, we have such high expectations for our trip that when things don’t go exactly as planned, our reaction can be a bit disproportionate. And, if we are not careful, it is really easy to let all the hiccups totally overshadow the experience overall. So, while it is understandable you want everything to go off without a hitch, remember to keep some perspective when things don’t unfold to your liking. If your biggest problem for the day is not getting the exact room you wanted at your all-inclusive tropical resort, or being picked up late by the company providing your airport transfer to the hotel, consider yourself lucky.
Do Your Best to Stay Unplugged and Leave Life Behind
This can be a tough one in the age of the internet and social media, but your trip will be the better for it. Sure, throw up a couple of shots on your Facebook page if you really can’t resist, but other than that, try to stay offline. Unless there is something that must be tended to right away from your real life, hold off until you get back. Just try to stay in the moment and enjoy what you are doing right now. Not only will you enjoy the trip more, you will maximize your recharging and ease back into life with fewer struggles because you will be feeling so good mentally.