Introduction
It’s been two years since Covid-19 hit, and after two years the world is finally opening up again! Many of us have been cooped up at home or in our country, and are bound to have the travel itch that just needs to be scratched after so long. A vacation is a great way to solve that stir-crazy feeling that the pandemic has imposed on us, and is great for relieving the stress that we all have been under.
You may be feeling apprehensive about taking leave from work in order to go for a vacation. After all, what would your boss think about you going off for a vacation? This feeling isn’t an isolated one, either, as more than half of Americans feel fearful about going for a vacation, citing concerns about performance records and upper management perception. With all the travel restrictions still in place even though the world is opening up again, and the general stress of planning a trip in general, many feel disincentivized to even consider a trip in the first place. What’s more, you also have to worry about what to do if you get diagnosed with covid 19 on your trip!
But it doesn’t have to be as stressful as you may think it is, and here are some ways to alleviate those concerns and get you exploring again!
How to plan your vacation after so long
The stress of the pandemic has gotten to many of us, and many of us may find ourselves in an anxious state as a result of that. Many of us may also feel out-of-practice with travel, too, after being stuck at home for so long.
What we recommend is getting yourself excited for a trip you intend to go on. The best way you can do that is to create a travel notebook. In this notebook, you can include all the things that make you feel excited about travel. Include pictures of your dream destinations, their beautiful sights, and monuments, or their breathtaking scenery. Maybe also include pictures of some of the local food that you want to try or who you’d like to meet if you know anyone there. There are a ton of great tools that you can make use of online, with Evernote having a template and ready-to-use Travel Inspiration template. Doing all this will remind you of the joys of travelling and get you hyped up to finally get going!
You can also start looking at airfares and accommodation. If you’re travelling to somewhere that’s completely foreign to you, look at all the unique accommodation options that are on offer! After all, travelling to somewhere completely different but choosing to stay in a boring hotel wouldn’t be any fun! Also, try to book your accommodation and flights a bit further ahead so that you can get better rates and save some cash so you can enjoy yourself there more.
You will need to have things to do once you get to your destination, so plan an itinerary! What you’d like to do there, the places you’d like to see, the food you want to try. Organize the days you want to be there, and make sure they’re filled with activities so you can enjoy yourself. Resist the temptation to overstuff it, however, as you not only need to account for changes in timing but also give yourself breathing room so you’re not rushing from one point to the next.
Travel is not exactly the same as before the pandemic began. There is a lot more documentation required, too, which can be a headache to remember and track. Make sure you research the entry requirements of the country you’d like to visit, as well as what documents you have to provide. Keep both hardcopy and softcopy versions of your vaccination statuses, covid test statuses, and passports. That way you’re sure you have everything at hand.
“The thought of a long vacation makes me feel guilty”
Who said your vacation had to be a long one? Travellers are increasingly going on shorter trips, dubbing them a day-cation or micro-cation. These are often short trips no longer than four days and can provide that brief window of respite you need from work and stress from home. It can help your mental health tremendously by just removing yourself from your sources of stress and experiencing new food, new sights, and new environments.
If booking flight tickets are too stressful, then why not consider a day-cation instead? Go for a short road trip and explore your local area. There are bound to be a ton of beautiful vistas or attractions like a park or a zoo. Get off your regular beaten track for a day or two and remind yourself that beauty can exist everywhere, even right next door. The outdoors is also a great place to go to alleviate your worries about contracting the pandemic.
If you’re looking for a short getaway at a destination, search for promotions that are applicable to short-term travellers. With the growing number of people who are taking micro-cations, hotels and businesses have begun offering deals to this new emerging niche in the tourism industry. Even worldwide chains are getting in on the action, too! Find an occasion to celebrate while you’re at it to make it even more special!
Finally, if you’re not looking to fly anywhere or travel, you can always just do a stay-cation! Stay at home for the next couple of days and do all the things that give you joy. Pick up the hobbies you’ve set aside recently, or kick up on the sofa, wrap yourself up in the blanket and turn on your favourite movies.
Conclusion
All of us deserve a little me time in this post-pandemic world. Not only is it good for our mental health to get a breather away from work, but it also helps us to be more productive. Various studies have shown that regular breaks help in our work productivity, giving us an energy boost and lifting our mood. It is important to exercise self-care and prioritize yourself first.
