Vacations are a lot of fun. There are things that you can do to crank up the fun factor of your vacation. If you plan your vacation correctly, you will come back from your vacation without needing a vacation to get over your vacation.
Enjoy the Planning Phase
People enjoy anticipation. Take time to plan your vacation well. Think about the fun you are going to have and the exciting things you are going to do. Research the locations you are going to. Researchers say that the joy you get from planning your vacation can be on par with what you get from actually going on vacation. To get the most out of your time away, pick your dates well in advance and then enjoy spending time thinking about what you are going to do.
Vacation More Frequently
People will save their entire lives to go on that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Safari in Rwanda. It is an amazing trip, but it is the only one they take in a long span of time. Substantial research indicates that the once-in-a-lifetime vacation is not as enjoyable as taking several shorter vacations.
The reason for this is that in the time you save up money for that once-in-a-lifetime vacation, you are living your everyday life and going through stressful daily routines. You go on your vacation and feel happy. However, when you return, you are back in that same grind again. Because you spent all of your money on that once-in-a-lifetime vacation, you are not going to be able to go on vacation again for some time.
However, if you plan short vacations more frequently, you get that same happiness that comes from planning the vacation and getting away. The only difference is that you get that boost of happiness more frequently. Research indicates that the once-in-a-lifetime quality of the vacation is not what brings them happiness. Instead, it is the getting away, experiencing something new, and hanging out with people who make you feel good.
Instead of planning one vacation to explore the Australian outback, plan several short vacations that could include spending the weekend disconnecting in Gatlinburg cabin rentals or having an exciting time in a nearby city. You will feel more refreshed and will enjoy your vacation.
Do Something New
Do you remember when you were a child and the summer months seemed like they took forever? There are two reasons for this. First, when you were a child, you only lived a short amount of time. Every day accounted for a larger percentage of your overall life.
The second reason is that every single day you were doing something new. Your brain was absorbing new information. You saw new things, so your brain had to slow things down to process all of your new adventures.
As an adult, you can’t do anything about the years of life you have lived relative to the amount of time in a day. However, when you are on vacation, you can make things slow down by doing new things. If you find that when you go on vacation you are sticking to the same routines, your vacation will fly by and you are not going to remember it. A vacation is a great opportunity to break the mold. Go zip-lining, go kayaking, learn how to make wine, go dancing, or do something else that is outside of your comfort zone. Not only will your vacation feel longer, but it will also feel more enjoyable.
Use Your Time to Do Things You Enjoy
While you want to experience new things on vacation, you also need to fill your days with the things you enjoy. Most people are happy when relaxing, socializing, eating, and doing things they like with people they love. In addition to those new adventures while on vacation, make time for good meals, quiet time to contemplate, and time to spend with those you love. If you do this on every single vacation, your vacation will become more memorable.
Conclusion
Memories are built over time. They are influenced by the way you choose to recount them. Make sure that when you tell others about your vacation, you recount the positive things. Show them the amazing pictures and describe it as the best vacation ever.
Tracie Johnson is a New Jersey native and an alum of Penn State University. She is passionate about writing, reading, and living a healthy lifestyle. She feels happiest when around a campfire surrounded by friends, family, and her Dachshund named Rufus.
