Stress is taking its toll on the American population, or at least that’s what a recent survey says. In an annual Gallup poll that included more than 1,000 American adults, about 55% of respondents said they experienced stress during “a lot of the day” prior to the survey compared to only 35% for the rest of the countries included in the survey. This means that Americans may be one of the most stressed populations in the world and a lot of factors have contributed to it.
But while stress will always be a part of life, there are many ways to manage it, one of which is through traveling.
Here are five not-so-secret tricks to truly de-stress while you’re on vacation:
“While stress will always be
a part of life, there are many
ways to manage it.
Follow these tricks to have a
fun, stress-free time during
your getaway.”
1. Plan your trip ahead of time.
There are people who can hop on a plane without any plans and they’ll do fine. But you’re probably not one of those people. Carefully planning a trip ahead of time will clear all worries, fears, and backlogs in your mind so you can truly enjoy your trip.
Schedule your vacation far enough to give time to clear your calendar and coordinate everything at work, in your business or at home. It’s also best to pick a date that’s free of conflicts such as an employee taking leave or a big deadline, so you don’t have anything to think about while on vacation.
2. Choose the right location.
Each of us has our own idea of a dream vacation, so even if all your friends went to Bali, go for a destination that’s more your type rather than just following the hype.
You have an almost endless amount of options when it comes to the places that you’d like to visit. Take the time to do some research and choose a country that relates most to what you need, say a beach retreat or a meditative getaway.
3. Take the right pace while on vacation.
A lot of people think that the best way to maximize their vacation is to tick off as many destinations and activities off their list as possible. But if you truly want to escape your fast-paced daily life, you have to take things slow while on vacation and limit yourself only to a few places every day. Remember that great vacation, like most things in life, is all about quality, not quantity.
4. Immerse yourself in the local culture.
Act like a local, not a tourist, so they say. If you really want to de-stress during your vacation, allow yourself to be part of the local culture by spending time in places that residents go to.
Even if you’re visiting within the United States, make sure to try places that locals spend the most time in so you don’t only enjoy their favorites but also get a taste of their culture. If you’re in Scottsdale, for instance, make sure to try Scottsdale happy hour to enjoy great drinks, good food and a great atmosphere filled with locals.
5. Keep yourself healthy.
A lot of people think that because they’re on vacation, they can eat whatever they want and drink all day. But if you really want to de-stress during your vacation, try to practice healthy habits during your trip. While you can sample local delicacies, try to eat as many fresh and local foods as you can and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water.
If you’re renting an Airbnb or apartment during your vacation, try to visit the local farmer’s market to buy some fresh produce to cook in your rental. And when it comes to exercise, don’t just run on a treadmill in the hotel gym. Instead, explore the outdoors by bike or on foot and try activities like kayaking, paddle boarding or hiking.
An extra trick
If you’re one of those who constantly live a busy life, you will be faced with the dilemma of completely unplugging or not. Some people can relax without having to check on their work or emails during their vacation. But if you’re the type who would have more peace of mind if you’re updated with what’s happening back home, then do so.
The trick here is to set a period of time each day when you can check emails, make phone calls or be contacted by anyone from work. This is a good compromise since you can still have a great time on your vacation without stressing out about not knowing what’s going on at work.
Make traveling a part of your life and follow these tricks to truly have a great time during your getaway. You can even adapt them in your daily life and you’ll surely be surprised at how much lesser your stress will be.
What are your favorite tips for stress-free vacations?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
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