Feel Better
In an ever-organised, micro-scheduled world, we’re all susceptible to the curse of overplanning. You know, cramming as much organised ‘fun’ into each and every day of a trip to the extent that our relaxing break requires a recovery period on return.
Stay in the present – when you’re clock-watching and always moving towards what’s ‘next’, sometimes you actually miss the moment you’re in. Leaving yourself with enough room to absorb where you are and stay longer if you love it, brings a welcome sense of freedom.
Don’t exhaust yourself – there’s always so much to see and too little time, but cramming your schedule full can leave you feeling more drained than when you started. Leave some room to stop and relax and embrace the slower pace.
Consider what you really want to do – rather than trying to do everything, think about what truly makes your ‘must see’ list and gives you the time to really experience it. Sometimes, less is more.
Sun, sea and safety. Whether you’re travelling solo or with the whole family, a city break of a beach escape, venturing somewhere new and unfamiliar can come with certain concerns and considerations.Being prepared can only help ease those travel anxieties, so stay safe with these top tips:
Travel insurance – it’s that last little detail that’s so easy to forget, but making sure you have insurance to cover you for your trip can bring such peace of mind. Pick a plan that covers your valuables, flight cancellations and medical treatment. You can even get an annual cover if you travel a lot.
Do some research – being a little more familiar with where you’re going, areas to avoid, local tips on how to get about, will mean you can move about more safely when you land.
Let someone at home know where you’ll be – A copy of your flight numbers, the number to the hotel you’re staying in, leave them with someone close to you at home so they can check in that you’re where you should be when you should be. Cards over currency – consider carrying travel cards rather than cash, banks like Monzo even offer a competitive conversion rate that’s often better than currency converters. When losing a card, it’s much simpler to stem the loss of actual money than losing cash. And keeping on top of spending is easier, too.
Whether you’re on a long-haul journey or just flying an hour or two, don’t overlook the importance of sleep whilst travelling. From combatting jet lag to simply reaping the benefits of a well-rested mind and body, we’ve got some tips to make sure you feel rested and energised.
Loose the lag – De-hydration can make jet lag worse, so make sure you drink plenty of water. Seek out sunlight, which helps regulate your body’s internal clock. And if you can, gradually adjust your sleep schedule before you leave so you can align, at least a wee bit, with the time at your destination. Disrupt the disruptions – Unfamiliar surroundings, hotel noise, lumpy pillows and weedy curtains can all get in the way of rest. So, create a sleep-friendly environment by bringing things like ear plugs, a travel pillow and an eye mask.
Watch the drink – Whether you’re a coffee or wine lover, or both, don’t forget that caffeine and alcohol can wreak havoc on our sleep. Enjoy both in moderation and you’ll fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed.
Sitting in traffic, anxiously watching the clock. Crashing through the airport in a full sweat. Not the relaxing vibes you were looking for. Simply building some extra time on both ends of your journey can go a long way to a happier trip. Here’s why:
A buffer against stress – giving yourself extra time to get to airport is like a little comfort blanket against things like traffic, unreliable trains or other unforeseeable delays. It’s always better to have time to spare than feeling frantic.
Create harmony– Nothing kicks off a holiday or business trip like a stress-induced argument. Building in extra time helps avoid those tense moments that tend to boil over when the clock is ticking and the plane is boarding.
Fight holiday blues – If possible, build in an extra day or half day once you’ve returned. Not having to rush back to work or school, and having time reflect and look at your snaps can go a long way to alleviating the shock of being back at home.