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You’ve been on a plane all cramped up and a bit on the chilly side for a few hours. You’ve made do with the plane food and tried hard to ignore the grumpy toddler behind you. Then you land on the tarmac, the warmth hits you and you think: now, surely I can relax.
But though we all go on holiday to take time out of our hectic lives, how often do you end up checking your work emails while sitting by the pool? As a culture, we are becoming less adept at switching off and tuning out of the pressures of everyday life. And we need to find a fix.
Whether your idea of a relaxing holiday is at a Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, taking a long hike into the middle of nowhere or cuddling up in a cabin with a good book, here are a few ways to slow down and unwind.
Switch Off
Here is a shocking stat for you: American adults spend around 11 hours per day looking at screens. But the shock isn’t the amount of time, it’s that you’re probably doing it without even realizing it. Because so many jobs now rely on us to work at computers, most of our days are spent sorting through emails, analyzing data, reading reviews. And then we come home and watch TV and scroll through social media.
When you are on holiday, it is easy to feel the lure of screens all the time. Since you spend most of your time either working or being entertained, this is a natural response. But if you truly want to relax and take a break, you must give your brain a chance to switch speeds. Avoid taking your electricals everywhere you go; learn to enjoy the moment.
Meditate
If you are struggling with the pull of your phone, meditation could be a good way go. You don’t need to be a monk for this to work, you just need to find a quiet spot where you can sit with your thoughts for a while.
Meditation is a brilliant way to give your brain a chance to process your thoughts and destress. As you get better at it, you will find that you are more in tune with your emotions, less anxious and even feeling better physically.
Explore Other Avenues
Though going to sit in the sun by the pool with a magazine is certainly an appealing way to relax, sometimes, you need to get out of your routine completely. They say that a change is as good as a break so instead of lying down for a fortnight, you could try going on a physically active holiday instead.
Working out releases endorphins, stretches out your office-cramped limbs and completely fills your attention. You really can’t check your phone while you are SCUBA diving or riding horseback along a mountain path. Getting out and about, even if it is just stepping outside your resort to find a bar that does exceptional mojitos, is highly recommended!
Jessica Lippe 