How To Let Yourself Relax & Unwind Properly when on VACATION

I have just come back from a lovely holiday in Gran Canaria and what made it so lovely? That despite having a lot of personal heartache around our trip, I was able to focus on me and my family’s needs and was able to switch off from daily life.

Can you genuinely remember when the last time was, that you spent your time off comfortably?

Many of us are so busy day to day that taking time off can be quite stressful….. you may even find yourself feeling guilty!

Have you ever felt as though you should be working/home making instead of relaxing? Yeah me too! Annoying isn’t it?

But thankfully for the past few years I have fine tuned some little ways in which I can truly enjoy my time off and found out how to relax on vacation properly.

how to relax on vacation

Tip # 1: Set clear boundaries

In our everyday lives, we are so used to checking emails, ticking items off our to do lists and replying to messages and WhatsApp’s, that it becomes a habit to keep checking our devices frequently – does this sound familiar to you?

Don’t get me wrong, I am not anti-technology but sometimes when we focus too much on them, it doesn’t allow us to fully switch off. So when we want to take a break, we need to make sure we remove some of the temptation from our digital life.

A great starting point is to try setting yourself intentional boundaries such as what dates you are available to and from and cutting off certain apps/devices after your working hours, so you don’t feel like you need to keep checking them.

Once you have decided your holiday dates and your communication boundaries, make sure you communicate your plans in sufficient time to your work colleagues and your clients, so they know what your boundaries are.  Be clear that anything work related that is received after your working hours will not be responded to and the earliest date you will get back to them.

Tip # 2: Be 100% into it

Tip number two is more of a reminder on your mindset. Often when we’re going about our day, our minds may wander. Yes, your body is physically present in that moment, but your mind is thinking of things to do in the future or perhaps things you should have done before you left? …..and then guess what happens? We then feel guilty and try to stop ourselves thinking about these things. In advance, we need to give ourselves full permission to enjoy our time off and be 100% in it. If things pop into your head about what should have been done or what needs to be done, make a note somewhere and then let that feeling of guilt go! 

Tip # 3: Slow Down

Do you often find yourself rushing from one thing to the next? A lot of us are the same, but during your time off you need to slow down and let yourself unwind.

Take things one step at a time and don’t be rushing around. The best thing about taking a holiday for me? Not having the standard day to day jobs to do such as dance classes for the kids or doing the dishwasher and the laundry. Use the time wisely and relax!  

Tip # 4: PracticE Gratitude

If you find your mind wandering, bring yourself back into the present moment. Focus on the things you can see, the things you can smell or hear. Be fully grateful to the moment you’re in and the people you are with. Savour the time you have been given to have that much-needed time off.

Tip # 5: Allow Yourself to Play

Yes one of the main benefits of having time off is about slowing down from your normal routines and relaxing into the moment rather than being on auto pilot. But it can also be about having fun and having a bit of adventure!

Try having experiences that you don’t always allow yourself to have. Give yourself full permission to be a bit silly and have enjoy it!   

Taking time off doesn’t need to be grand – you don’t need to take a full week or go somewhere exotic to enjoy it.

A day or two even, can give you that much needed pause and can be a wonderful reset for you and your loved ones.

If you have any suggestions about how to relax on vacation, I’d love to hear them! 

For tips on how to unwind and de-stress during your normal working day, check out this post: