HENRY MOORE - SUREFIRE STRESS-LESS HOLIDAY TRAVEL

​SUREFIRE STRESS-LESS HOLIDAY TRAVEL

Imagine this: You and your family are on a last-minute flight to a Thanksgiving celebration out of town. You overpaid dearly for the tickets and are now waiting an undetermined amount of time in the security line. You have no idea where you and your family will be sleeping, as all of your sisters and cousins will be staying at the same family member’s home that you are, and space will be limited. Your daughter forgot to pack a warm jacket and almost none of your children brought their toothbrushes. When you arrive, you find there is little to no room for everyone and purchase last-minute, expensive hotel rooms. 
The holidays can be a daunting time of year already, and adding traveling to your to-do list is just one more layer of stress. So before the holidays arrive, it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected, especially when it comes to travel. Here are a few ways you can protect your family, home and yourself, and enjoy the relaxing holiday retreat you deserve.
Travel Precaution

• Arrange Travel Early: Many travelers hit the road rather than fly because it’s usually the cheaper option, so proper vehicle maintenance should be in order. Aim to have your car tuned up about two weeks before your trip in case your mechanic finds an issue that will take days to address. Purchase flights months in advance for better prices on tickets, and be sure to arrive at the airport at least an hour before takeoff so you’ll have plenty of time to get through security.
• Keep Your Sleep: The ambience of being in a new place often inspires people to fit in as many fun activities as they can to their itineraries. Furthermore, during the holidays, you may feel pressured to work overtime on family meals and celebrations. All of these factors can impact your sleep pattern, and lack of sleep is a fast avenue to overwhelming stress and even depression. Maintain your normal sleep routine as much as possible to prevent burnout.
• Distance Work: A holiday vacation with family is supposed to be relaxing, so distance yourself from any work-related tasks that may occupy your mind. Communicate to your staff that you’d like them to respect your time away, and avoid checking in with the office for updates that can wait until you return. This distance will keep your mind free to enjoy your time off.
• Involve Everybody: When traveling with family, remember that you are not simply making time for the things you alone want to do. Ask your travel companions how they’d like to spend their vacation as well. Whether it be hiking, museum trips, or a family barbecue, this is a sure way to keep everyone satisfied and at ease.

Maintaining Security
Remember that theft and burglary are rampant during the holidays. If you’ll be leaving for more than a day, protect your home by securing all of your belongings. Be sure to lock all doors and windows, put your electric garage door onto its manual setting, and keep your place from looking empty by leaving on a television or a few interior lights. It’s also a good idea to let a trusted neighbor know of the dates you’ll be gone so they can keep an eye out for anyone acting suspicious around your home. Finally, never advertise your absence on social media. Doing so lets people know your home will be unoccupied, and makes it more vulnerable to a break-in.
By putting these ideas into practice, you’ll be able to enjoy your holiday trip with less stress and make the most of this wonderful season.
 
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
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