Holidays should bring calm, not stress. Discover how simplifying your schedule and embracing mindfulness can create a more peaceful escape. To help, download our free Mindful Journey Reflection Exercise and set the tone for a stress-free trip.
What to do when holidays bring stress
They’re something to look forward to – a chance to throw off the shackles of work, put life’s pressures on hold, and properly relax. Sometimes, however, holidays can also generate anxiety. It might be because expectations and over-planning get in the way. Or perhaps too many events are booked (each carrying the possibility of not going to plan), and a plethora of people-pleasing activities arranged that end up destroying individual fun. In other words, holidays become overcomplicated when a more effective way forward might be to focus on simplifying trips, so they provide a genuine break from everyday life.
Why holiday anxiety happens
Holiday-related anxiety can also arise when stress isn’t regulated frequently enough throughout everyday life and eventually builds to pressure-cooker level. When this happens it’s easy to view a trip away as the only chance to bring stress down – all in one go. Unfortunately, this tends to place too much pressure on a single experience to provide a year’s worth of calm and relaxation, all compacted into a short period of time. The result is often more stress during the trip, as well as sadness and regret on the way home that a long-awaited getaway has failed to provide the much-needed destressing required.
How to ease holiday stress
So, how do you avoid setting yourself up for disappointment and upset during what’s supposed to be a relaxing holiday? Here are a few tips:
PICK 3 SIMPLE ACTIVITIES
Make them easy and choose things that don’t require too much energy, including activities that can potentially be done alone.
For instance, on a trip to a beachside resort, the list could include swimming in the ocean, eating at a nice restaurant, or taking a short hike in nature. Make sure the three things sound manageable, fun, and easy to do.
LIMIT ENERGY-DRAINING PLANS
If crowds tend to be stressful at home, then they’re also likely to be so on holiday. If spending time at one museum is exhausting, try to imagine visiting three in a single day.
It’s easy to underestimate how much energy is expended absorbing stimulating places and trying out new things.
Remember to slow down and keep in mind that there’s no rush to do everything all at once.
BUILD FLEXIBILITY INTO YOUR TRIP
When every minute and hour of the schedule is pre-arranged, there’s less room for those chance encounters that often prove to be holiday highlights. Allow time to wander around at a leisurely pace and to find the fun in the surroundings more organically.
STAY PRESENT ON YOUR GETAWAY
Deep breaths, paying attention to the senses, and being in the now can highlight that there’s no need for excessive planning. This doesn’t mean no preparation (it’s invariably helpful to have some ideas and practical arrangements), but too many events booked in advance can distract from the present moment.
Feel things as they’re happening.
If you’re lucky enough to be heading off for a break but can already feel the stress building, try easing off the planning pedal and simplifying the schedule. That way, you’re more likely to take the pressure off the holiday and
♥ Ready to start planning your stress-free travel? Download your free Mindful Journey Reflection Exercise. ♥
