Getting enough rest on your vacation is crucial to having a good time. It doesn’t matter how incredible the next site is, or how beautiful the panorama of the island – if you’re exhausted, you’re simply not going to appreciate it. On your adventures, prioritizing rest and relaxation will improve your experience almost as much as slowing down and taking time to enjoy the destination. Here are the three categories of rest and relaxation to consider when preparing for your vacation:
Sleep Gear
There’s so much travel gear out there to improve your trip in a myriad of ways. But these are our top three rest-focused items.
A white noise machine or a sleep sounds app. Either one will drown out the unfamiliar noises that usually keep us awake in new places.
A comfortable travel pillow. Fundamental to any plane, train, or car journey to keep your neck from cramping.
Quality Earplugs. For both the plane and your hotel, earplugs are the perfect way to shut out the world and get quality sleep.
[Photo Credit: Diogenes Garzon De Vertiz via Unsplash]
Sleep Schedule
Don’t forget to take your sleep schedule into account when planning your trip. Thinking about how and when you’re going to rest, before you travel, will help you prioritize sleep on the trip itself.
If you’re traveling across several time zones, try to gradually shift your sleep schedule several days before you depart. Nudge your bedtime earlier or later each night until you’re closer to your destination’s time zone.
When you do land in a new timezone, get lots of sunlight and fresh air to combat jet lag. Then you can go to bed a bit earlier than usual, and you should wake up in the new timezone, ready to go!
If you can afford it, try to have a day before you leave and a day after you land where you have no plans and can focus on relaxing before and after your long flights.
Schedule a few rest days during your trip. It’s important to balance trying to see it all with actually taking care of yourself. Make sure you have at least one day in every 5 where nothing is planned. You can sleep till noon, and mosey around town without stress, worry, or anywhere to be.
[Photo Credit: Yaopey Yong via Unsplash]
Choose Quality Rest
When choosing accommodations, consider places on a quieter street. Look at reviews and keep an eye out for noise complaints. Is your hotel above a bar? Near a church or busy town square that has a market every day? Keep the likely noise level in mind when selecting your hotel to prioritize quality rest.
If the destination allows, consider booking a spa day. Spending a day or half a day in a hot spring, doing a mud bath, or enjoying a massage is a perfect way to relax on vacation.
Don’t be afraid to take naps or miss out on an activity if you’re too tired. It’s better to enjoy a destination well-rested, and perhaps see/do a little bit less than you might have, than to force yourself to grin and bear it through exhaustion.
[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures]
Are you ready to perfectly balance rest and adventure on your next vacation? Let us know where you want to go and we’ll help you plan the perfect itinerary!