Planning a Relaxing Vacation
This month we wanted to share some tips with you for planning a relaxing vacation. Summer is almost here! Give yourself permission to take a break from your everyday stress and so you can rest and recharge.
5 Tips for Planning a Relaxing Vacation
- Ask yourself: “What do I really need in order to relax?”
This is a tough question when you’re used to considering just a brief trip to the store by yourself or a 10-minute shower your daily “relax” time. Think about it: What’s weighing on you? Taking up your time? Keeping you from doing the things you really want to do? Give yourself permission to take a break from those things. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
- Don’t make your vacation a repeat of your everyday life.
If your everyday life is a rat race, don’t schedule activities for every minute of your vacation so that you come home desperate for another vacation. Make sure your vacation includes unscheduled time that you can spend however you wish. Vacations are designed to help you relax and have fun. Anything that involves worry, stress, unnecessary responsibilities or have-to-dos – skip it.
- Leave your guilt at home.
Guilt is that nasty voice that makes you feel bad for leaving extra work for everyone else, or deciding to hire someone to care for your aging loved one while you’re gone. Don’t let guilt keep you from getting the reprieve you need.
If your work is too much of a burden for someone else to help cover for a short time, that’s an indication you need the vacation in the first place. And letting your loved one receive some additional help and attention from a professional CAREGiverSM while you’re away could be a great change of pace for both of you. Learn more about the respite care services we offer. If you’re worried about leaving your loved one because of a condition like dementia, arthritis, or diabetes , we have specialized services for that too.
- Don’t cut corners prepping for your vacation.
Put in the time before you leave to properly prepare for your vacation. Think through all the items you need to pack, put together a rough itinerary, consider potential problems and keep a back-up plan in mind if necessary. There’s nothing less relaxing than realizing you forgot something important or neglected to make an important reservation.
This is an especially important step whether your aging loved one stays behind or comes along with you. Here’s a helpful article that includes important tips and considerations for planning a successful inter-generational vacation.
- Try planning several mini-vacations instead of one long one.
Sometimes the preparation needed to go away for a long time and the catch-up work awaiting you after is more trouble than it’s worth. Planning several short weekend trips rather than a week-long vacation might help reduce the before and after stress. It may also take pressure off you from feeling the need to turn your one vacation opportunity into a golden week that fulfills every wish and longing previously suppressed by work and family obligations.
Also keep in mind that, while vacations are wonderful opportunities to relax, it’s important to find ways to minimize stress, even when you’re not on vacation. This “how to de-stress” webinar has some great advice.
Call now for your free in-home care consultation: 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.
Home Care San Francisco Bay Area serving seniors in San Bruno, Walnut Creek and Concord. Call us at 415-333-3944 or 650-877-8009.









