Is a holiday on the horizon? Practical ways to deepen your sense of presence and unwind while you travel
Switching your out‑of‑office message should feel like a moment to relax and reset, yet many people return from a break with the impression that nothing shifted at all. The notion of needing a ‘holiday from your holiday’ is a familiar pattern caused by a mix of psychological fatigue. Perhaps you still carried heavy duties while away, or you kept checking work emails instead of giving your mind a true pause.
Research indicates that the ideal vacation length for a thorough reset and peak happiness sits at roughly eight days. Whether your upcoming trip will be shorter or longer than that benchmark, these extra steps can help ensure you return feeling refreshed.
Tailored experiences
Wherever you go, aim to weave in experiences that feel pertinent to the place and its surroundings, helping you feel connected to both the country and its environment. In Italy, for instance, you could join a pasta‑making class; in France, you might dedicate an afternoon to wine tasting. Experiences that are unique to that location ground you in the moment and craft memories that endure.
If the idea of structured experiences or classes isn’t appealing, you can simply follow a recommended walking route, or mingle with locals to step outside your familiar routine and get a sense of how others live their everyday lives.
Limit your screen time
The same awareness you bring to your screen use at home should travel with you on holiday. A new environment doesn’t automatically grant permission to scroll endlessly. Make a deliberate effort to unplug from your phone and the news back home, and allow yourself to cultivate deeper bonds with the people and surroundings around you.
Choose your media with intention
With less time spent on devices, you can turn to other forms of entertainment to pass the hours. Common options include reading, watching films, or expressing yourself through art. As with your activities and experiences, select media that aligns with the setting. For example, pick a book rooted in the country you’re visiting, a film by a local filmmaker, or grab paints and pencils to sketch what’s in front of you.
Set intentions
It might sound like a homework task at first, but clarifying your intentions for the trip ensures you get the most from it. We often zero in on the itinerary, yet we seldom consider what we want to gain. Before your next holiday, consider how you’d like to feel—calm, adventurous, etc.—and check in with yourself at intervals to see whether you’ve achieved that; if not, adjust accordingly.
