5 Ways to Ensure You Vacation with Peace of Mind
Whether you enjoy relaxing by the beach, skiing down the slopes or testing your golf game, vacation is an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, if you do not properly prepare for your vacation, you could actually create a situation that induces more stress in the long run. To avoid a needless stressful situation, take the following simple steps to ensure you vacation with peace of mind.
1. Pack Your Bags Well in Advance
Procrastination may seem tempting, but the longer you wait to pack your bags, the more likely it is that you will forget something that you need. First, make a detailed list of everything you will need on your vacation, including toiletries, makeup, pajamas, swimsuits, day clothes, evening outfits and so on. Your list will vary depending on your destination. Then, pack as much of your bag at least three days prior to your trip. Check off the items on your list after they make it into your luggage; this will help you to remember toiletry and makeup items that you probably will not be able to pack until the last minute. You will also not have to worry about running around the house looking for your favorite lounge wear minutes before you leave home.
2. Set Up Your Out-Of-Office Messages
This may seem like a minor detail, but if you fail to let people outside of your workplace know that you will be out of the office for an extended period of time while you are on vacation, this may actually result in more wasted time when you return to the office. In today’s environment of immediate gratification, people expect timely response, especially with email. If you do not reply, the sender will likely keep sending you emails on the same subject matter as well as inquiring why you have not yet responded. Multiply this by a few senders and you will have a huge pile of emails and voicemails to sort through when you return to the office, which will make it difficult to return to business as usual.
3. Have a Chat with Your Co-Workers
Of course those who you work closely with will probably know you will be absent from the office for an extended period of time, but it is essential to discuss what will be going on in your absence, especially if you are in the midst of a project. If a specific co-worker will be covering your duties while you are gone, take time prior to your departure to make sure that he or she thoroughly understands your duties. This will ensure that when you return to the office, you will not be bogged down with unfinished tasks, or even worse, an unhappy boss or clients.
4. Pay Your Bills in Advance
Going on vacation doesn’t mean the rest of the world is taking a break. Make time to pay all current bills, any bills that will become due while you are away as well as bills that will be due shortly after your return. This will ensure that you will not have to worry about late fees from missed payments or paying bills as soon as you walk in the door from your vacation. Additionally, if something happens and you must extend your time away, you can rest assured that all of your bills are taken care of.
5. Secure Your Home
Knowing that your home is safe and secure is probably the best way to truly take a mental load-off while on vacation. Prior to leaving, make sure all windows and doors are locked. Wedge a wood block or stick in the track of any sliding doors you may have. If you have a security system, make sure it is set. If you have a close relationship with your neighbors, also let them know you will be on vacation and ask them to casually look out for any suspicious activity around your house while you are gone. If you receive a daily paper, consider notifying the newspaper company that you will be away so you do not receive newspapers during that time. Piled-up newspapers are a dead giveaway that a home is vacant. Also, if you have a garage that is attached to your home, make sure the door shuts securely before you drive away.
This post is written by Erica Moss. Erica is the social media outreach coordinator for the masters in nursing program at Georgetown University, which has one of the nation’s leading nurse midwife programs. Outside of work, Erica is an avid dog lover who loves photography and meeting new people.
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