Spring Break is the perfect time to step away from your daily routine, cold weather, and short winter days; One week in a tropical paradise or European metropolis allows you to indulge, treat yourself, and get out of your comfort zone.
However, for all the relaxation (and exhilaration) that comes with a Spring Break vacation, there is also an objective to stay aware, responsible, and realistic - so that you can make the most out of your trip!
Check out these do’s and don’ts before your next Spring Break vacation, to make sure you get the most out of your time away from home!
Do’s
Treat yourself to new wardrobe items
A vacation after being cooped up all winter is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to those items that have been sitting in your online shopping cart since the holiday season. While there is no need to spend all of your vacation money on a new wardrobe, splurge on a few key items you can flaunt during your trip! Having 2-3 key pieces in your suitcase will help you plan the rest of your packing list, and get you more excited for the upcoming adventure!
Indulge in a unique experience or activity
Vacation is the time to try new things! Step away from your daily routine and take this opportunity to create lasting memories. Whether that is swimming with pigs in the Bahamas, a guided hike in the Swiss Alps, a cooking class on a rooftop in Rome, or a catamaran boat ride in Cabo San Lucas, take the leap! You won’t regret living your life to the fullest for even a few days.
Do what makes you happy
Often on vacation - especially during Spring Break - we are with other travel companions. To feel truly recharged and reconnected with yourself after a vacation, it is important to indulge in activities and experiences that are true to you! Whether that is a solo day at the spa, an afternoon wandering through museums, or a beach day with a good book, make time for yourself. Who knows, you may find that you want to invite your companions to join along too!
Be present
While it is important to document your travels, it is equally important to stay present and savor the moments as you make them. Set time restrictions for yourself on your favorite apps to avoid “doom-scrolling”. Snap pictures of your favorite meals, but after one picture try to put the phone away, and set expectations with your group that you will all try to live in the moment. A picture lasts a lifetime, but the memory behind the picture is what makes it that much sweeter!
Don’ts
Overpack your schedule
It can be tempting to fill every hour of your vacation with an activity or reservation, but that quickly gets overwhelming and defeats the original purpose of your vacation: Relaxation! While we understand the desire to get the most out of your investment, we recommend that you find 2-3 key experiences for each city or destination you visit. Beyond that, save the rest of your time for spontaneity or things you discover during your time there.
Forget sunscreen or medications
Especially if you are going somewhere tropical and closer to the equator, sunscreen is a must. We are not stronger than the sun, and no one wants to spend 90% of their vacation slathering on aloe and situated under an umbrella or in their hotel room recovering from a sunburn! Similarly, just because you are on vacation does not mean you should ignore your usual medications or routines such as skin care, exercise, and more - whatever keeps you going and feeling great!
Bring work with you
The purpose of a vacation is to give yourself a chance to recharge. We’ve all heard the metaphors stressing the importance of filling your own cup before you can help others - and they’re true! To be your best self at work, you must find ways to log off and find joy and purpose outside of work. Not only that, but your travel companions will be grateful to have quality time with you on your trip! If you must log in, try to give yourself and your team strict boundaries of when you can be reached or will reply to emails (for example, only before 11am).
Overindulge
Too much of one thing is never a good thing! We’ve all experienced the dopamine rush of vacation, getting lost in the excitement of a new city, the warm ocean breeze, and maybe some bass-thumping music - the next thing you know it’s the next day and you are out of commission due to a bit of overindulgence. While it’s perfectly ok to let loose, make sure you are doing so safely, and in a way that doesn’t compromise the remainder of your trip!
Ready to make the most out of your Spring Break? Schedule your FREE Travel Consultation today and start planning with the ELx Travel Team!