How to Reduce Stress On Summer Vacation
Whether you finally saved up enough vacation days to take that solo trip, or your kids are finally out of school, summer is a great time to build quality memories in a new place.
But as exciting as travel can be, it can also feel overwhelming. Will things be okay at home when you’re away? Are you going to fall too far behind at work?
Here at KMA Therapy, we know these worries are completely normal – but they’re not always helpful. We’re here to help you manage your stress and enjoy the vacation you deserve.
After reading this article, you’ll know five ways to manage stress during your summer vacation so you can enjoy it to the fullest!
5 Ways to Manage Stress While On Vacation
The goal of a vacation is to have fun, explore a new place, and create lasting memories. These five tips will help you relax into the present moment.
1. Plan Ahead
Some people love to plan out their vacations with a colour-coded schedule, while others prefer to explore opportunities as they spontaneously appear.
You don’t need to plan every moment of your vacation, but creating a plan for your absence back home will make your vacation even more enjoyable.
Whether you need to call a friend to water your plants, set up a list of things for your work colleague to cover, or clean out the fridge so you don’t come home to a science experiment, knowing things are handled back home will help minimize your stress.
2. Set Strong Boundaries
After you’ve set out a plan for what will happen while you’re away, commit to being away.
Let your work know that you’re not available, even for a quick Zoom call.
Let your overbearing friend know that you love them, but you’ll be unable to answer your phone every time they text.
Set out goals for:
- What you want this vacation to feel like
- How you can achieve this feeling
Then write out a list of boundaries you need to stick to in order to achieve these goals.
3. Try Out a Digital Detox
If one of your boundaries is to stop obsessively checking your phone, why not consider taking it a step further?
As tempting as it can be to take pictures and videos, both for our memories and for our social media feeds, sometimes it’s better to just unplug.
Try taking it old-school with a disposable camera, or putting your phone on do-not-disturb so the camera’s the only thing you’re using.
With so much of our lives taking place online, it’s rare to have the opportunity to take a break from technology.
Going tech-free, even for a few hours, can help you relax and ignore the stress of the outside world.
4. Get Out in Nature
Many of our dream vacations have beautiful natural scenery – but sometimes we can take it for granted once we actually arrive at our destinations.
When you come across a beautiful view, snap a quick picture, but then tuck your phone away and become mindful in the present moment.
Think about:
- What can you see?
- What can you hear?
- What can you smell?
Connecting with nature can help you unwind and remind you to be grateful for the vacation you’re on!
5. Keep Up With Your Self-Care Routine
If you’re an introvert who needs some alone time to function, this need won’t magically disappear just because you’re on vacation.
There can often be a sense of pressure to make the most out of every second when you’re on vacation.
But taking the time to get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods, and rest when you’re overwhelmed can help you have a more enjoyable time.
Next Steps for Busting Your Stress
After reading this article, you know five ways to bust your stress during your summer vacation.
Still, it can be hard to manage your stress when you’re experiencing it all year round.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know that sometimes you need some extra support managing your stress. For over 14 years, we’ve helped our clients figure out how to reduce their stress and keep up with their busy lives.
Book an appointment today or contact our team if you have any questions.
If you’re not ready to book your appointment, check out these articles to keep learning:
