The best ways to make your next vacation less stressful

We’ve all had a “bad” vacation at some point. While almost any travel or work time has redeeming qualities (like the fact that we’re not at work…), some vacations just don’t have the magic that others do and can end up being more stressful than relaxing. If you’ve ever been on one of those trips where everything seems to go wrong and you end up feeling stressed most of the time instead of resting, then you’ll know what I mean.

Sometimes it seems that fate conspires against us when it comes to enjoying a good vacation, but there are things you can do to tip the scales in your favor. Here we’ll look at some of the best ways to make your vacation run smoothly and avoid complications…

light package

Packing light makes life so much easier because it means you have less to lug around. If you can fit everything in your carry-on, you’ll save money and there will be less waiting throughout the day. At the same time, there is less chance of something being lost.

drive yourself

Driving to the airport and back makes life easier in a hundred different ways. Of course it’s nicer to be in your own car with your own music, but it also means you can leave whenever you want and not worry about people not coming to pick you up (nightmare).

Book airport parking

However, to make driving truly relaxing, you need to make arrangements for your car before you leave. This way you can easily pick it up and you won’t have to fight for a space. It will also keep your car safe when you are not around.

leave early

Leaving early for your vacation makes a lot of sense. Not only does this mean you won’t panic about being late, but it also means you can sit back at the hotel with a nice glass of beer or some food while you wait, helping you feel refreshed and ready for your flight.

asleep

What is the best thing to do on the plane if you are stressed? Sleep. Grab a cushion and blanket and you’ll be there before you know it.

get an early night

Similarly, going to bed early the night before, especially if you’re traveling at 4am, can make everything seem a lot less complicated when you have to wake up.

have copies of everything

Don’t keep all your documents in one bag, that’s just asking them to go away. Put some in a bag, some in your pocket, some in a fanny pack… so you don’t have to worry about losing anything. Give copies to fellow travelers as well.

don’t take anything expensive

If you’re worried about things getting lost or broken when you travel, here’s a simple solution: don’t take anything expensive with you.

Be flexible

Planning every activity you’ll participate in on your vacation even before you leave can take the joy out of your trip as you rush from one appointment to the next. Be flexible and you can really relax and enjoy each activity.