How to Make Your Next Holiday Less Stressful

Holidays are inherently stressful. You have family to worry about, maybe you’re going to visit the in-laws, you have travel reservations to make, gifts to pack, and a multitude of events to plan when you get to your destination. Here’s how to manage all of that stress.

Plan Menus and Keep them Simple

When you’re travelling, one of the hardest things to do is figure out what you’re going to do for food. Yes, restaurants are everywhere, but eating out can be expensive. If you’re on a diet, you might not want to cheat on it, and if you have special food intolerances or allergies, planning is a must.

The simple solution is to keep things simple. You know where you’re travelling to. Find a list of local restaurants, call in advance (if you have special dietary needs), and make reservations when necessary. That way, when you get to your destination, all you have to do is show up and eat. No worrying about how much it’s going to cost or whether you’ll be able to find something you like.

 
Make a Gift List

If you’re travelling to see family for a Holiday like Christmas, make a gift list and stick to it. Set a dollar amount, buy all of the gifts, and consider shipping them ahead of you. That way, you don’t have to worry about whether they will make it on time. Bonus tip: pay to have the gifts wrapped for you. Yes it’s an extra fee, but that’s one less thing you have to worry about.

Delegate

Delegating chores before you leave will ensure that you don’t return to a messy home. You can also delegate other tasks too, like gift buying (assuming you already know what you want to buy), making reservations for hotels and restaurants, getting plane tickets, and just about any other task you can think of.

Have a friend or family member audit your suitcase for you so that you don’t leave home without some odd piece of clothing you might need or worse, your toothbrush. Delegating can also be used when you need someone to take care of your pet while you’re away.

Go To The Spa The Night Before (or the day of)

To really take the edge off, go to a spa the night before you need to leave (or the day of your trip, if necessary). Go early. Schedule a massage for at least an hour, preferably two. Get a full-on treatment. You want the calming music, the soothing oils, the relaxing music, the hot stones, and even a temple massage.

All of this rubbing, oiling, hot rocks, and music serve to do one thing: put you totally and completely at ease with yourself. After about 2 hours of a good massage, go home, relax with your favourite book or move, or put on your favourite music. Ease yourself into bed, set your alarm, and you’ll wake up so refreshed and relaxed that you’ll wonder how you could ever be stressed out about this vacation.

Elizabeth Bailey is a travel consultant. She enjoys making the most of her holidays through the experience she has gleaned in her job. She also enjoys blogging about travel. Learn about holiday insurance coverage for your next trip.