No matter how much you enjoy your work, there is still significant value in taking a vacation. In the frenetic weeks before you leave, you may find it difficult to keep track of what still remains to be done before you hit the road. Here are some tips and tricks to help you stay collected as you put the finishing touches on your spectacular vacation.

Why Vacations are Necessary

To begin, it may be useful to remind yourself why many experts recommend frequent vacations from your normal routine. Everybody experiences some form of stress, which can pile up over time and lead to injurious conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. Chronic stress also reduces our ability to fight diseases and rebound after injuries. It also reduces mental and physical functioning in general, which takes a significant toll on productivity and overall well-being. Conversely, vacations have the opposite effect. There are significant correlations between taking occasional time off and increased productivity upon return. The mental boost a break provides also improves memory, critical thinking, and feelings of contentment.  

Decide When and Where to Go

The first task when planning a vacation is deciding where and when to go. Start by deciding your time constraints — how long are you able to get away from work? This will help decide which locations are possible. After all, if you only have three days, you don’t want to go to the other side of the globe, ultimately spending one of your precious vacation days on a plane. An easy way to figure this out is to divide your total number of vacation hours by however many hours you’ll spend traveling. This will give you a percentage; if you will spend more than 15 percent of your time traveling, you might prefer to go somewhere closer. However, if you are able to take your time, you may want to consider more leisurely forms of transportation, like trains or boats.

Next, you can start to narrow down your possible destinations by cross-referencing your ideal spots with the estimated cost of the trip. Keep in mind that prices vary wildly according to the time of year, so plan accordingly. If you are planning to travel with your family, take their preferences into account, as well.

Finally, there is an art to booking your flight and hotel. Last-minute bookings often feature drastically heightened prices, but booking too early can cause you to miss out on discounts as airlines try to fill unreserved seats. Recent studies suggest that the sweet spot for getting the best deal is 54 days before your trip, or about a little over a month and a half. Plus, by booking early, you won’t have to stress over last-minute transportation and can focus on planning the details of your trip.

Secure Your Home and Plan for Eventualities

In the weeks before your vacation, start prepping for the actual trip. Take pictures of important information, like the labels on prescription bottles, and let your bank know you are going to be traveling to make sure your card remains active. You may want to contact someone you trust to stop by your house occasionally and keep an eye on it. If you have pets, make arrangements, either with your trustworthy contact or a professional house- or pet-sitter, to have them taken care of while you are away.

Also, make sure your home is secured. Put your spare key in an inaccessible place, make sure to lock all doors and windows, and if you live in an area with a higher risk of burglary, set up a light on a timer to go on several times a day to look like you are still at home. If possible, leave your car in its customary position.  

After weeks of planning, you are ready to pack. Create a list of everything you think you’ll need, then be sure to grab several last-minute, often-forgotten items like cameras and toothbrushes. Adjust your thermostat to a reasonable level and unplug all electronics. Afterward, you can finally hit the road knowing you planned appropriately and your house will be cared for until your safe return.

Although it’s tough to pull yourself away from your job, you deserve a break every now and again. Plan ahead, make arrangements, and get away for a little while. You’ve earned it!

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