I mentioned in this blog post that I am currently on a family vacation in Mexico. I wanted to use this as an opportunity to offer tips to help you enjoy yourself while on vacation. I have a list of tips that you can use while preparing for a trip, as well as while on a trip, to make the most of your vacation.

1. Keep your expectations realistic

The first step for setting yourself up for an enjoyable vacation is to keep your expectations realistic. Your vacation might have some less enjoyable moments, which is normal and okay. This is why it is important to have the tools to ground yourself if negative emotions arise.

I talk a lot about “the best version of yourself” and “the highest version of yourself.” This is the version of yourself that shows up with a positive attitude and is ready to take steps towards living your best life.  In this example, I’m talking about the exact opposite of that. Make a plan in case negative thought patterns start getting in the way of you enjoying yourself. For example, if you are working to overcome insecurity, have a plan in place in the event that critical thoughts start surfacing on your trip. And remember to give yourself grace! We are all works in progress. Don’t put pressure on yourself, as that will only make you feel more distressed.

2. Get in the right mindset

Your mindset is such a powerful tool for influencing your experience. Before you even leave home, set the intention that you will enjoy this vacation and that this is a time to relax. Tell yourself that any worries or stressors can wait until later.

3. Be here now

Practice mindfulness by remaining in the present moment as much as possible. A few good ways to do this are to focus on your breathing and to tune into your five senses (things you can see, smell, touch, and hear). Paying attention to what is going on around you, the activities you are doing, the sites you are seeing, and the people you are with is an effective plan for getting out of your head and enjoying these experiences. Meditation is also a good way to strengthen your ability to stay in the present moment.

4. Gratitude

Practicing gratitude goes well with practicing mindfulness. Making a point to step back and appreciate every moment will help you maintain a positive attitude, which will help you overall with enjoying yourself. 

5. Leave your chaos at home

Originally, I was nervous that the things that I have been worrying about lately, which have been making me feel chaotic, would come up on the trip and get in the way of my enjoying myself. My therapist gave me the brilliant advice that when I pack my bag for the trip, I can envision leaving my chaos at home to deal with later. I love this idea. You can do this metaphorically (like I did), but a physical action like writing your worries down and leaving them in a box at home can also be a powerful way to intentionally leave them behind.

6. Don’t worry, be happy

Give yourself permission to enjoy yourself. This might sound like an oversimplification, but giving yourself permission to have a good time can make a powerful difference in your experience. Some people feel like they have to worry all the time. If chronic worrying is something you relate to, see what happens if you give yourself a reprieve from that by giving yourself permission to enjoy your time on vacation.

7. Envision who you want to be on this trip

This tip has to do with bringing the best version of yourself on your vacation. Envision what the best version of yourself looks like. Get really clear on the habits and thoughts that person has. And start acting like that person, even before your trip.

8. Continue practicing your healthy habits

Whatever healthy habits you do at home to feel your best, such as meditating, journaling, or anything else that helps you regulate your thoughts and emotions, try to keep up with those while on vacation. There is something to be said about allowing yourself to deviate from your routine during your time off. But these self-care activities should be considered essential components of your wellness. Keeping up with your self-care habits will also help you enjoy yourself by helping you manage your mental health.

9. Plan to do the relaxing activities you feel like you usually “don’t have time for”

If you feel like you typically don’t have enough time to do the things you enjoy, use this time off for your hobbies. During downtime from any activities you have planned, you can do things that are relaxing and re-energizing. This allows you to maximize your time on vacation.

For example, I brought yarn to crochet and books to read. I was just as excited to do these activities as I was to explore Mexico with my family, which overall improved my experience.

No vacation is going to be perfect, but these tips can help you enjoy yourself and make the most of your vacation.