Travel, they say. Travel to expand your horizons and feel at one with the world. It can help your anxieties fade, putting things in perspective. And yet, many of us balk at the idea of travelling, worrying that it will be more stressful than restful.
Many reasons could make you feel this way, even if you enjoyed travelling at a different stage in life. A recent Talker Research survey found that travelling with small kids can be super stressful – no surprises there – with parents experiencing peak stress less than four hours into a trip. Travel arrangements also work people up considerably. CivicScience data finds that mums may feel the brunt the most since vacation logistics are often their responsibility. Women may also have to undergo pesky health issues owing to menstrual cramps or menopause symptoms—issues no amount of travel planning can manage predictably.
We are here to offer hugs and some nourishing advice on how to turn around your perception of travel.
We are here to offer hugs and some nourishing advice on how to turn around your perception of travel.
1. Beware of the Temptation of the Cheapest Option
If you’re travelling in a large group, booking tickets for transport and accommodation can make you double-guess your plans. Will the trip be worth all that money?
National Geographic observes that post-pandemic demand and fuel price spikes have pushed up prices for travel. “Revenge travel” pricing has made hotels more expensive—the hospitality sector is rushing to compensate for lost time.
In this situation, opting for the cheapest options can be super-tempting. But beware that they can also be mega-stressful. Long-haul flights are already tiring, but multiple layovers make them worse. Going to the airport groggy-eyed, trying to remain patient as your toddler demands chocolate for breakfast, does not make a relaxing vacation!
The same applies to your stay, whether you choose a hotel or an Airbnb. You must prioritise non-negotiable things, like cleanliness and transparent pricing. A too-good-to-be-true listing is probably that – fake.
You can use good old tactics like booking early and using loyalty reward points to find affordable deals on transport and stay. Another option is to prefer off-season travel when prices are much lower. If you cannot find a sweet spot that works financially, it may be best to reconsider the vacation. For now.
National Geographic observes that post-pandemic demand and fuel price spikes have pushed up prices for travel. “Revenge travel” pricing has made hotels more expensive—the hospitality sector is rushing to compensate for lost time.
In this situation, opting for the cheapest options can be super-tempting. But beware that they can also be mega-stressful. Long-haul flights are already tiring, but multiple layovers make them worse. Going to the airport groggy-eyed, trying to remain patient as your toddler demands chocolate for breakfast, does not make a relaxing vacation!
The same applies to your stay, whether you choose a hotel or an Airbnb. You must prioritise non-negotiable things, like cleanliness and transparent pricing. A too-good-to-be-true listing is probably that – fake.
You can use good old tactics like booking early and using loyalty reward points to find affordable deals on transport and stay. Another option is to prefer off-season travel when prices are much lower. If you cannot find a sweet spot that works financially, it may be best to reconsider the vacation. For now.
2. Ignoring Yourself is Out of the Question
A 2023 Motherly survey did not have cheerful figures to report on the overall state of mums.
Both stay-at-home and work-from-outside mothers still feel stressed, with over 60% reporting not getting a single uninterrupted hour. Almost 51% struggle to go out with friends or partners even once a month without their children. Understandably, travel stresses mothers out – what is the point?
You may struggle with self-care even if you are child-free, considering the tribulations of the modern workplace and unpredictable life transitions. Travel cannot seem much fun if it does not let you unwind and spend time on yourself. Moreover, if you haven’t been looking after yourself, you may experience hidden health concerns during the trip. Sleep problems. Skin breakouts. Fatigue.
While planning a vacation, add rejuvenating experiences that are only for you. Think of spa sessions, a walk in the mountains, or reading a book on the beach for an entire afternoon. You may find self-care boxes for women with things that de-stress you, from a favourite tea to aromatherapy oils. Also, make it known to your fellow travellers that you won’t be putting yourself last.
It is a good idea to commit to sustainable self-care products during travel and otherwise as they reduce waste and avoid toxins. According to Here I Am, making mindful choices can be excellent for resilience while also letting you safeguard the planet’s future. Now that’s what purposeful travel – the low-stress kind – is all about.
Both stay-at-home and work-from-outside mothers still feel stressed, with over 60% reporting not getting a single uninterrupted hour. Almost 51% struggle to go out with friends or partners even once a month without their children. Understandably, travel stresses mothers out – what is the point?
You may struggle with self-care even if you are child-free, considering the tribulations of the modern workplace and unpredictable life transitions. Travel cannot seem much fun if it does not let you unwind and spend time on yourself. Moreover, if you haven’t been looking after yourself, you may experience hidden health concerns during the trip. Sleep problems. Skin breakouts. Fatigue.
While planning a vacation, add rejuvenating experiences that are only for you. Think of spa sessions, a walk in the mountains, or reading a book on the beach for an entire afternoon. You may find self-care boxes for women with things that de-stress you, from a favourite tea to aromatherapy oils. Also, make it known to your fellow travellers that you won’t be putting yourself last.
It is a good idea to commit to sustainable self-care products during travel and otherwise as they reduce waste and avoid toxins. According to Here I Am, making mindful choices can be excellent for resilience while also letting you safeguard the planet’s future. Now that’s what purposeful travel – the low-stress kind – is all about.
3. Leave Space in the Planner (or Leave the Planner Behind)
Much of typical travel stress comes from packed itineraries that seem about to burst, much like luggage. We have become so used to juggling multiple tasks daily that not using each minute of a holiday seems like a waste.
It’s time to ditch the over-scheduling for good.
Consider the focal point of your trip. For example, you may be giving your children a Disneyland Paris surprise. Avoid scheduling other entertainment for the kids and focus on quieter things, like a river cruise on the Seine or just idling in the garden outside the Eiffel Tower. Paris, or any other popular holiday destination, does not need to be drained for your trip to be worthwhile.
That said, why not plan holidays to less touristy places? The benefits are immense – from lesser crowds to cleaner air and an opportunity to contribute to the local economy.
Country Living magazine notes that 80% of people visit only 10% of global destinations. If you go to quieter places like Slovenia or Puglia, Italy, the trip can have a clear focus – enjoying nature and relishing delicious food. Planners can remain untouched.
It’s time to ditch the over-scheduling for good.
Consider the focal point of your trip. For example, you may be giving your children a Disneyland Paris surprise. Avoid scheduling other entertainment for the kids and focus on quieter things, like a river cruise on the Seine or just idling in the garden outside the Eiffel Tower. Paris, or any other popular holiday destination, does not need to be drained for your trip to be worthwhile.
That said, why not plan holidays to less touristy places? The benefits are immense – from lesser crowds to cleaner air and an opportunity to contribute to the local economy.
Country Living magazine notes that 80% of people visit only 10% of global destinations. If you go to quieter places like Slovenia or Puglia, Italy, the trip can have a clear focus – enjoying nature and relishing delicious food. Planners can remain untouched.
4. Beat the Blues By Planning a Treat After You Return
The last phase is coming home after a trip to return to the grind. For many of us, this phase can be the most gruelling. Coming to terms with how the next getaway may be months away is not smooth. No wonder some people avoid going away in the first place!
Wondermind acknowledges post-vacation depression and recommends conducting a values audit to manage it. It can be simple: Focus on your values, i.e., things that bring you happiness. You may not have a blue ocean outside your window any more, but you do have time with your friends and your beloved books to rely on.
You can also manage this problem by planning something for yourself after your return. It could be a mani-pedi to pamper yourself after exposure to the elements. It could be coffee with your best friend to share pictures and gossip. Or you could plan an extra day of holiday from work to vegetate at home, kids at their grandparents, and slowly let reality fade in.
If you have not travelled much and have developed set ideas against the pursuit, you may find travelling overrated and overhyped. Some people argue that the home environment offers the ultimate comfort. No worries about travel, food, and inclement weather catching you unaware.
Wondermind acknowledges post-vacation depression and recommends conducting a values audit to manage it. It can be simple: Focus on your values, i.e., things that bring you happiness. You may not have a blue ocean outside your window any more, but you do have time with your friends and your beloved books to rely on.
You can also manage this problem by planning something for yourself after your return. It could be a mani-pedi to pamper yourself after exposure to the elements. It could be coffee with your best friend to share pictures and gossip. Or you could plan an extra day of holiday from work to vegetate at home, kids at their grandparents, and slowly let reality fade in.
If you have not travelled much and have developed set ideas against the pursuit, you may find travelling overrated and overhyped. Some people argue that the home environment offers the ultimate comfort. No worries about travel, food, and inclement weather catching you unaware.
Ultimately, it comes down to how much you value new experiences and whether you’re willing to embrace some discomfort/unfamiliarity in the process. These four tips can help you mitigate the stress during various stages of the travel experience! (Image source: Unsplash)
