Sometimes it just feels like it’s not worth going on holiday, right? The days leading up to your departure date can become overwrought with figuring out what to pack (and what you can do without), followed by restless nights worrying about forgetting something important, and that recurring nightmare of missing a flight. Not to mention worrying about the expense. Researching the right deal can go a long way to help solve the last problem, of course. And usually, once you have arrived and settled in, you wonder what all the angst was about in the first place. So let’s look at three top tips to relieve holiday stress.
1. Write up a personal itinerary
You may have been sent a flight itinerary with your holiday confirmation, but writing up a more detailed, personalised holiday itinerary, which you can share with others in your travelling party, means that everyone can be on the same page right from the beginning. Consider including the time you need to leave home, how many bags need to go into the car or taxi, and who is carrying the all-important travel documentation.
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Then pop in details of your transportation from the airport to resort; whether you have a hire car to collect, a bus transfer to find, or are simply taking a cab from the taxi rank.
It’s also handy to know what is happening for the first day of your holiday, so a little research of local restaurants and tours – and booking ahead – can help put off any stressful decision-making until you have relaxed properly into your holiday surroundings.
2. Snacks and games for the kids
It might feel like you are leaving home with a small buffet in your carry-on bag, but plan to dish out bulkier snacks to the kids sooner rather than later, and you will find that the load will soon lighten. Hungry kids are grumpy kids (never mind the adults!), so easy-to-distribute tidbits can go a long way to making the journey comfortable for everyone. Nuts are always a great choice – they’re full of healthy nutrients that will keep everyone going.
Games are a natural distraction and, while today’s electronic devices can provide hours of entertainment, an old-fashioned pack of cards, or a lightweight comic, are a good way to divert little eyes away from the screen for a while.
There’s plenty more useful advice for parents travelling with kids available online, as well as some great snack tips for children – it always pays to be prepared.
3. Don’t try to do too much
Remember that a holiday is all about taking a break from your normal routine. As much as an activity-packed holiday may look exciting on paper, a change of country, different locations, and the impact of travelling can be a nudge to body and mind to slow down.
Go hiking and biking, sailing and surfing by all means, but perhaps think carefully about booking – and paying – for too many tours and activities in advance. You don’t want to be hitting that all-important waterpark – the highlight of the holiday – with tired bodies and dampened enthusiasm!
Holidays are about everyone having fun and making great memories, and a little extra thought and time spent on the planning and preparation can go a long way to avoiding holiday stress.
Pic Credit | Shutterstock
Pic Credit | Shutterstock