Holidays and days off are essential for our physical and mental wellbeing – a time to rest, relax, reduce our stress levels, reset and recharge our batteries.
Sounds ideal, right? Unfortunately, many of us find that going on vacation isn’t as easy as we’d like, especially if we’re used to being busy all the time.
So for those lucky enough to be on holiday this summer, we’ve rounded up 10 top tips to help you relax and unwind whilst you’re away.
Planning and preparing
One of the first challenges is that planning and organizing a holiday can in itself be quite stressful, so one of the most important things to do is plan ahead and make sure you are prepared.
As the Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “A man who does not plan far ahead will meet trouble at his door.”
Research has shown that many of us worry about forgetting travel documents, packing and arriving at the airport on time. So being extra prepared and starting your holiday preparations early can help you feel at ease and reduce stress before you hit the road.
It’s also a good idea to have a ‘rough’ plan of what you want to do on your holiday so you can get the most out of your stay. While it can be stressful knowing where to start, trip planning is believed to boost your mood and mindset and help prevent stress and uncertainty once you arrive.
Give yourself time to get used to it
Arriving in a new place can be a little unsettling, so give yourself some time and space to adjust before diving into your vacation plans.
Travel is known to temporarily increase your blood pressure on the first day of travel and it may remain high for a few days. So give yourself a break from any schedule and let yourself get used to the different pace. Maybe just spend some time chilling in the sun. This will not only help you relax, but can also increase serotonin levels, which can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Switch off
Resist the temptation to check work emails or phone messages, as this will only increase your stress levels and make it harder for you to relax. If you can’t switch off completely, agree to check only once a day, prioritize only the most pressing issues and limit the time you spend on them.
It’s also a good idea to ditch social media and do a mini digital detox. Checking in at home or scrolling through your social media can fatigue your brain and keep you from living in the “present.” Turning off all your devices will calm your mind and allow you to recharge your ‘batteries’.
Put your worries aside
If you are someone who worries about things, it can be quite difficult to put your worries aside while you are on vacation. If you find your worries constantly popping into your head, gently acknowledge them, write them down, and then let them go or put them on hold. Tell yourself you’ll deal with them when you get home!
Practice mindfulness
Before we start this section, we don’t necessarily recommend that you meditate while on vacation (unless you want to, of course). Many of us struggle with meditation, so it’s more about finding ways to become more mindful while on vacation. This can be as simple as taking the time to really notice and think about all the different sights, smells, sounds and tastes of your new environment.
Research shows that practicing mindfulness as a tourist, increasing your awareness of your surroundings, grounding in the present moment and having a non-judgmental perception of your destination has a positive effect on your well-being and will lead to a greater sense of inner peace.
Spend time in nature
Most people spend most of their working time indoors, so holidays give you a great opportunity to enjoy some much-needed fresh air and sunshine. Research has shown that spending time in nature can improve your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase feelings of calm. It has also been found that tourists who stay in a green environment produce lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. If you can, look for natural beauty spots such as beaches, forests, mountain trails, lakes, national parks, etc. and remember to be careful while you’re there! These tours can also give you the chance to get your heart rate up a bit – perhaps by walking, swimming, paddle boarding, cycling, hiking – further increasing your ability to relax during the rest of your stay. If you can’t get out and explore the area, start each day with a leisurely walk along the beach!!
Enjoy some time alone
If you’ve been traveling with family or friends, it doesn’t mean you have to spend every waking hour with them. Research from the University of Reading found that chosen periods of solitude can help boost our happiness and wellbeing by reducing stress and increasing feelings of personal freedom. So don’t be afraid to take some time alone to reflect and recharge!
Read a book
Immersing yourself in a good book while on vacation is great for helping your mind relax. Research from the University of Sussex shows that the simple act of reading a book can reduce stress levels by up to 68% in just 6 minutes.
Don’t put pressure on yourself
Don’t feel obliged to rush to see and do all the things. If you want to lie on the beach all day, do it and don’t feel guilty about it. Think of it as an investment in your health and well-being!
Treat yourself to a therapeutic massage
Many holiday destinations and resorts offer you the opportunity to enjoy the ultimate indulgence of a therapeutic massage. A wonderful massage with aromatic oils helps reduce tension, stress and anxiety and also restores your physical energy and mental clarity, so you can relax even further and really enjoy the rest of your stay.
5 of the best essential oils to support your relaxation
There are an abundance of essential oils that can help you relax and unwind during your holiday, but you obviously can’t use them all! Below we’ve listed the top five choices that you can pack in your suitcase and are safe to use in the sun (non-phototoxic).
- Chamomile has a soothing, calming effect and is ideal for chronic worriers. It has a balancing effect on mood and can be used to promote relaxation, reduce muscle tension and soothe stress-related conditions such as nervous tension and insomnia.
- Frankincense slows and deepens breathing, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. The calming effect can be particularly helpful for chronic worriers, as it helps dispel persistent and unwanted thoughts and encourages the mind to ‘switch off’.
- Lavender is one of the most versatile and all-round supportive oils. It is ideal for calming the nervous system, promoting relaxation and improving sleep.
- Neroli is extremely relaxing, calming and uplifting and therefore beneficial for nervous disorders such as stress, depression, fear and anxiety. The calming effect can also be beneficial for insomnia.
- Ylang Ylang soothes, uplifts and helps create a sense of peace. It is recommended for anger, irritability, nervous tension, anxiety, depression and to promote sleep.
How to use your essential oils while on vacation
There are many travel diffusers on the market these days, so you can use the oils in your room or in an inhaler, or you can mix them into a massage oil or pulse point roller!
Inhaler: Place 3 drops of your chosen oil in the inhaler and inhale if necessary.
Pulse point roller: Mix 3-4 drops of your chosen oils with 10 ml of carrier oil in a roller bottle and roll onto pulse points as necessary.
Massage: Mix 6 drops of your chosen oils in 15 ml of carrier oil and massage into the skin towards the heart. Use a clockwise direction when massaging the abdomen.
Diffuser: Add up to 12 drops of your chosen oils to your travel diffuser and follow the product instructions.
Example mixtures
For massage: 30 ml grapeseed oil, 5 drops lavender, 4 drops ylang ylang and 2 drops neroli.
For nighttime diffusion: 3 drops Roman Chamomile, 2 drops Lavender and 1 drop Ylang Ylang. If you don’t have a diffuser, use an inhaler or simply put the oil on a tissue and place it next to your pillow.
Or, for ultimate convenience, we have a fantastic range of 100% pure essential oil blends and ready-to-use massage oils and pulse point rollers, including Relaxing, Uplifting, Mindful, Tranquility and Sweet Dreams blends that make the perfect travel companions.
I hope you have a super relaxing holiday.
Sharon Lovett
Marketing manager