Many people like to vacation.  People vacation in so many areas around the world, from the shore to the mountains, and from camping to five star hotels and resorts.  Some see a vacation as a time for adventure.  They hike, scuba dive, and bungee jump their way into fun and excitement.  Others shop, or attend amusement parks, or even just relax at a resort, with great wine and food.    Others think about vacationing and their blood pressure jumps and they have nightmares.  Whatever your ideal vacation, do you enjoy the planning, or does the simple idea of a vacation being up anxiety or stress?  For many, vacations are more stressful than anything, and only cause anxiety.

                I love planning vacations, and most vacations I plan, I don’t take.  Just planning makes me feel less trapped which helps decrease my stress.  I know that I can go anywhere, and I would enjoy it, but not everyone loves to travel.  Some get worried about flying, or driving.  Others stress about where to go, and hotels, food and everything else.  Some people need everything to be perfect, and when things aren’t perfect they struggle with their expectations and the whole vacation is ruined.  Some people go on lots of vacations but never enjoy their trip.

                Expectations are often a source of anxiety, when thinking about vacations.  The perfect place, the perfect hotel, the perfect dinner, and the perfect travel partner are all things that may set you up for failure and disappointment as you think about a vacation.  The reality is that there is never a perfect vacation.  Things happen, and they always do, that alter the perfect day.  From a forgotten item at home, problems with the reservation, and not being able to get a good reservation for dinner, something often comes up to throw a wrench into a plan, but it doesn’t have to ruin your vacation.

                Consider the goal of a vacation, to get away from the normal day to day living, and experience something new or different.   Taking time away from your busy life is important to your mental health.  It is supposed to help you recharge, but too many expectations only cause anxiety.  Don’t let that ruin your time away.  If you are traveling and vacationing with family, enjoy your time with your family.   Make that the goal.   If you are vacationing alone, do whatever you want.  You can plan things, just relax, or find your own adventure.  The memories that you make will be priceless.

                For those who would rather be at home, be at home.  Some people shouldn’t vacation because it’s not something they enjoy.  Being away from home brings up too much anxiety for some and the idea of a vacation makes them sweat and have nightmares.  If you are someone who doesn’t like to travel, enjoy being home.  Don’t put yourself in a situation that will make you more anxious and uncomfortable if it’s not helpful for you.   It may be something you rethink in the future, but for now it’s okay just to be at home.

Don’t let the anxiety that can come from vacationing overwhelm you.  Don’t carry the expectations that could ruin your vacation.  Don’t go on vacation if it’s not something you enjoy.  Taking care of yourself may or may not include vacations, so do whatever helps you recharge and renew is okay.  Don’t put yourself in situations that increase you anxiety.  It won’t help in your pursuit of being happy, for life.