Your summer holiday is finally here! You’ve made it through those dark winter months. You started the New Year at the gym in preparation for that beach bod. You saved for months and booked a getaway with your partner. It’s almost time to detach from the real world and get some well-deserved mid-year rest.
Whether you’re spending a week in the quiet fishing villages and sandy beaches of Croatia or you’re hiking on the Inca trail deep within the Andes Mountains in Peru, it’s really important to fully immerse yourself in your break.
Heard of the phrase: “travel broadens the mind”? Well, it’s true. It’s great to try new experiences, sample different cultures and be open-minded – even a little adventurous (hello jet ski!). Remember that you only have one life and you need to live it.
That being said, it can, however, be difficult to switch off whilst on holiday. Prepping yourself the week before boarding your flight can make a huge difference to the success of the trip and your mental wellbeing.
Here are our tips on how to make the most of your getaway.
1. Don’t take your work with you
It may be difficult to let go of those never-ending tasks, but start to slow things down just before you leave. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to your colleagues so you don’t have a mountain of work to return to. Leave your work phone at home to avoid the temptation of checking emails and messages during your holiday.
Which brings us to our next point…
2. Manage your mobile phone time
Whether you’re watching Instagram stories or scrolling through those Facebook statuses – have an awareness that you’re being distracted! Tune into your surroundings, especially if you’re outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.
If you need your phone to take photos, don’t be afraid to turn it onto flight mode. Don’t worry, you can still record an Instagram story and post it later. If you really are a phone addict, allocate 20 minutes in the morning and also during the evening.
3. Make the most out of your surroundings
Wherever you’re headed, whether that’s to the beach, mountain or city, pay attention to the beautiful scenery around you. If you’ve opted for a classic beach holiday, take a rest under the sun umbrella whilst listening to the waves or the sounds of children playing on the beach. If you’re visiting a vibrant city like New York, take in the greenness of Central Park or climb to the top of the Empire State building to get a view of that city skyline.
4. Indulge in a book!
Reading has a lot of benefits for the mind. And now, finally, you have time to read that novel you were given at Christmas. The objective of a holiday is to unwind and books are windows to new worlds that can help us relax. The characters and stories remove our attention from our worries, which in turn reduces stress. Reading is also a great mental exercise that improves concentration.
5. Move more (but leisurely!)
It may sound counterintuitive to tell you to rest and relax if you’re on a beach holiday but making light exercise has so many benefits. Walk around the local village, swim in the sea or pool, and take a stroll along the waterfront. These are easy ways to get the body moving without even feeling like you’re exercising.
Take a deliberate detour whilst on a wander to explore your resort and to get your blood pumping! Rent a bike, kayak or paddleboard as a fun way to burn a few calories whilst you’re out in nature too.
Why are holidays so important?
Life gets so busy that we all need time to recharge our batteries. A holiday means quality time with your partner, family or friends. The motivation of knowing you will be lying on a beach may be enough to get you through any stressful moments in the months beforehand, as life is full of ups and downs.
Vitamin D (also known as the sunshine vitamin) is beneficial in small doses. Research shows that it plays an important role in regulating mood and warding off depression, however, only 20 minutes of sitting directly under the sun is enough. Sensibly – of course!
We highly recommend that throughout your day you wear sun cream (factor 50), use a sun umbrella when you’re on the beach, and wear a hat and sunglasses to protect against sunburn and skin damage.
Post-holiday blues – is it a thing?
Yes, it is! Particularly if your summer holiday was mostly spent poolside. You may lose that chilled-out vibe pretty quickly when you’re back in the office with a long to-do list come Monday morning.
So, what can I do to feel good when I’m back home?
Have a return plan. Rather than trying to squeeze in every last minute of holiday time until late on a Sunday night, you also need time to settle back at home. Book your return flight for the Saturday so you can get on top of laundry, do a food shop and take it easy around the house.
If you’re returning from a long haul flight, adapt back into your time zone by trying to stay awake until your regular bedtime hour!
The good news is that back in the “real world” you can still do things to feel great.
- Introduce the best parts of your trip back into your daily life – learn to cook the dishes from that culture and enjoy your favourite cuisine at home!
- Ease yourself into some leisurely exercise to lighten the mood – start with a walk after work, especially as it stays light until much later.
- Be grateful for the experiences that you had and the memories you created.
- Take up a new hobby – try a language course at your local community college if you really enjoyed picking up a little Spanish when you were away.
- Reassess your life – if you are truly filled with dread about going back to your job or being at home, you may want to consider making changes in order to feel happier. Don’t be afraid to update your CV or start looking for a new neighbourhood to move into.
So true and difficult to switch off when you go on vacation. I agree reading a book always distracts you from work and I like the idea of leaving my work phone at home. Not sure I could cope 😁
Great advice! I actually have a good friend who is always recommending Peru and the Inca trail. Perhaps I should book a trip and follow your tips… 🙂