5 Top Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday

Let the annual holiday commence. Slather on the factor 30, pop on the shades and get ready to completely chill. Or should that be check your phone every hour to obsess over what you’re missing at home, squabble with your loved ones and stress over the fact that the thing you really wanted to wear is still sat in the wardrobe at home! Whilst holidays can be a much needed break from everyday life, the whole process from the holiday packing to getting there and even the holiday itself can be hugely stressful. To help ease you into the laid back holiday vibe, we’ve got 5 tips for a stress-free holiday.

1. Don’t put too much pressure on the holiday

For most of us, we get just one holiday a year so it’s little wonder that we put so much into energy and attention into our holiday organisation. But founder of The Food Psychology Clinic Uxshely Chotai says that our desire to create the perfect break can leave us as stressed as if we were at work, Uxshely advises: “Don’t put too much pressure on the holiday- remember that the objective of going on holiday is to relax and unwind.”

2. Pack like a pro

A big stressor when planning a holiday is what to pack, or more specifically with suitcase space at a premium, what not to pack! A good holiday packing tip is to select clothes by outfits so you’re thinking about what you’re going to wear rather than just pulling items at random from your wardrobe. Then take the clothes and accessories mountain and grab one of our vacuum bags to make the clothes organisation part of packing a breeze. When you get to your destination, undo the stopper and your clothes are magically restored and virtually crease free too!
For your special occasion wear, choose garment covers to keep clothes safe and stain-free while travelling. For added protection, why not slip inside a sheet of tissue paper? A Royal trick that will actually prevent your clothes from creasing if you need to fold the covers to pack inside your luggage or if you are using a suit carrier for multiple outfits.

3. Step away from the phone

The urge to check out what your friends are up to on Facebook or catch up on the odd work email can be hard to resist on holiday, but if you do this you’re unlikely to feel the full benefits of your break. Uxshely advises us to fully disconnect from our lives back home by turning off notifications and alerts, saying: “Sometimes we use up our precious time on holiday worrying about all of the things we have to do once we get back, but worrying about your to-do list is just going to make your holiday more stressful.” Even better, why not go the whole hog with a complete digital detox?

4. Reconnect with loved ones

One of the main reasons we actually go on holiday is to spend precious time with those we love, but as the petty disagreements start you can begin to wonder why you ever thought a holiday was a good idea! Uxshely says that this is common, saying: “Our loved ones can sometimes drive us crazy when we spend too much time with them but when those annoying habits start to surface, just remind yourself that on holiday you have a rare opportunity to spend quality time with them and you should enjoy it as much as you can.”

5. Be in the moment

Our lives are very busy now, and it can be difficult for your body- which is used to rushing around at a frenetic pace- to really relax. And the same is true of your mind, especially around holiday time when you have extra things to mull over and plan for. Uxshely advises that we try mindfulness, saying: “Far too often, we spend our time worrying about the future or thinking about the past and as a consequence, we never really enjoy anything that we are doing. Really allow yourself to fully enjoy your holiday, enjoying each moment as it happens.” With our tips, we hope you’re well on your way to a glorious, stress-free holiday. Bon voyage!