How to Ease Into a Vacation

Although vacationing would seem to come easy to all, some people have trouble leaving work and home life behind. Vacations take a lot of preparation and money, and sometimes the planning gets put off over and over again until the vacation never happens. It is important to take time for yourself to travel and relax--here are some suggestions for how to ease into a vacation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start to plan a vacation! You might know exactly where you want to go (Disney World!) or you might need to do some research (Mexico? Puerto Rico?), but start to look into what you want to do for your vacation. Ask friends and family about their favorite vacations or maybe go visit friends and friends who live out of state. Have fun planning out all the details!

2. Put pictures of your vacation destination on your fridge and in your office at work. Start to get excited and start to make arrangements for your trip--hire a pet-sitter, purchase plane tickets (if needed), book accommodations and get ahead at work so you don't return to lots of busywork and stress.
   
   
   It is important to leave for your vacation feeling comfortable that you won't fall behind at work. You want to be able to really relax and enjoy your trip without feeling obligated to work. My father is one to call the office every day, no matter where in the world he is - EVERYONE needs a break sometimes ...

3. Start saving now! You don't want to be worried about money while on vacation, so start planning out the finances. A great vacation doesn't have to cost much at all, but make sure to set aside an appropriate amount of spending money to feel comfortable on you trip.

4. When you take time off from work, give yourself extra time before (and after) the actual trip to pack (and unpack) and ease into your vacation. Allow time to organize yourself without feeling stressed. If you will be traveling into different time zones, try to eat and sleep at a time appropriate for your destination. It will help decrease jet lag during the first days of your trip.

5. When you arrive at your destination, allow yourself time to look around your new lodging and get comfortable. Unpack a little, maybe take a shower after a long plane trip or maybe a quick nap to re-energize. And then make sure you get something to eat and fall right into vacation time.

6. Make your vacation everything you hoped it would be and do everything you wanted to do. It's not easy for some people to take time off, but vacations come few and far between, so why work hard if you don't enjoy what you're working for? Allow yourself time to ease into your vacation and enjoy.