How to Actually Relax on Vacation (2024)

FAQs

Why is it so hard to relax on vacation? ›

The vacation itself can be a source of stress for a variety of reasons, from strained relationships, pre-vacation stress of getting everything done, unexpected travel delays, or the weight of impending deadlines and workload when you return.

Pacing yourself through activities and things you'd like to do means you give yourself the time to actually enjoy each individual moment. Give yourself longer time periods that you think you might need to explore, so that if you end up really enjoying something in particular, you don't need to rush onto the next thing.

Research says the ideal vacation length is 8 days. Here's what experts say.

People may experience travel anxiety because of the unknown. For example, they may wonder what would happen if they ran out of money, got lost, or became ill. Having a plan in place for worst-case scenarios may help ease these fears.

If this sounds familiar, you might be suffering from a common issue called PTO Anxiety. This condition happens when you NEVER take time off work. Instead, you hoard your vacation days like a dragon with their gold. You might do this because of pressures at work or even fear that you might need them in the future…

Let's note too that lots of travelers feel a sense of fatigue, drowsiness, apathy or lack of energy without having done any particularly exhausting activity. These are in fact symptoms of mild motion sickness, which show that many more people are affected by the condition than you'd think.

Who tends to relax on vacation? ›

Respondents aged in their forties had the highest percentage of people who prefer relaxing holidays, at nearly two thirds (64%).

A seminal 2012 study published in the aptly-titled Journal of Happiness Studies reports that for most vacationers they studied, the impact on health and well-being peaked around day eight and that these feelings return to baseline after one week back at work (even for a long holiday of three weeks or more).

Most hotel guests stay for a certain number of nights. But did you know it's often possible to book a hotel room just for the day? No, this isn't the magic of an early check-in on an overnight stay. You can literally book a room just for use during business hours.

Two in three Americans admit they feel too much pressure during their vacation to actually enjoy it (65%), new research suggests. A survey of 2,000 adults delved into the topic of “vacation pressure,” with almost a quarter saying they haven't physically relaxed on their getaway in two years or longer (23%).

This is because new experiences are the key to building new neural pathways in the brain. By rewiring your brain, you become more creative and accepting of new ideas. This is why travel makes you happy. It also takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste, and try new things.

Reframe by Telling Yourself

“Taking a vacation is healthy. When I return to work, I'll be rested and energized, which means I'll be able to do an even better job—even if I do have some work or emails to catch up on.

No less than 8 days

According to a scientific research paper published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, your happiness peaks on vacation around day 8. It then begins to fade until around day 11, where you may start feeling homesick or disinterested.

Get moving. Research shows that physical activities during vacation improves health and wellness levels, compared with passive activities (lying around poolside) or even social activities. Getting in a nature hike or water/snow sport could also maximize our holiday happiness, given how exercise improves mental function ...

How can I relax on vacation and not worry about work? ›

Plan your days to incorporate what will really help you relax. Maybe that is keeping busy with activities from sunup to sundown. Or maybe it is sleeping in, then lounging by the pool with a good book. Whichever way you like to vacation, make sure you are getting the downtime you need.

The problem can be triggered by the change in routine, the lack of structure, and the feeling of missing out that might come from being disconnected from work. Having unrealistic expectations about the vacations can also be a trigger, as “any little setback or stress can cause anxiety,” says Aranda.

Travel insomnia, although not a medical diagnosis, describes difficulty sleeping when you're on a trip. Stress, anxiety, different sleeping conditions, and jet lag can all contribute to travel insomnia.

Others may worry too much about the details of the trip or feel anxious about being away from their normal routines. Additionally, some people may feel like taking a vacation is simply an added expense that they'd rather not think about. All of these can make vacation seem like more of a burden than a reward.