Order food and plan a new trip: how to make the end of your journey less stressful

In the last days of a vacation, many people feel a sense of melancholy as they think back to their work routine and home responsibilities. However, all good things come to an end, and the challenge of returning home is a natural part of any traveler's life.

So the question arises: how can we minimize the stress and anxiety we experience when returning from a trip or vacation? Condé Nast Traveler has gathered useful tips to help reduce the difficulties that the end of a vacation brings and get back into the work rhythm.

Return home on Saturday

Upon returning home, there is discomfort associated with switching gears and changing environments. "If you want to give yourself a day to transition, book your return flight on Saturday," says Liz Graham, a Brooklyn-based therapist specializing in nervous system science and psychology. - "If it's making tea and checking emails on Sunday night, set a time limit for that and stick to it.

Find and learn what works for you, and you can learn to alleviate your 'Sunday vacation fears' without taking on the impossible task of getting rid of them completely.

Get more rest at the end of your trip

Another term for feeling down at the end of a vacation is "last-day lows," as Katie Nastro, a representative of the travel brand Going, likes to call them. To cheer herself up, she says: "I design my trip so that the last day or last days are as relaxing as possible, and I can splurge on a nicer hotel at the end of the trip so I can sleep like a baby before a long flight." She also treats herself to an upgraded return flight to optimize her resting opportunities: "A better seat with more legroom makes a difference!"

Return home a day early if you can

Give yourself some time to ease back into your home and work life by returning home a day or two before you have to get back into your normal routine. Even an afternoon will be enough.

"I try to get home on Sunday at noon whenever possible," says Millie Tran, vice president of strategy and content development at Condé Nast. - "These few hours allow me to relax, eat dinner at home, and not feel like I'm just jumping from one thing to another.

However, if you can't give yourself this buffer time at home, try to get back into your normal routine a few days before your trip ends. Victoria M. Walker, travel journalist and curator of the Travel With Vikkie newsletter, advises slowly adjusting your sleep schedule to your "home clock" if you've changed time zones to mitigate the effects of jet lag.

Plan what you will eat at home

Coming back to an empty kitchen is daunting, so make a plan for what you'll eat when you get home, whether you order in or prepare it before you leave. Millie Tran said: "I recently got into the ritual of ordering Thai takeout on the way home, so it's waiting for me when I get home. I've timed it almost perfectly!"

Walker also lives in the order-it-yourself camp and orders food too, preferring fruits and vegetables to fight off the sluggish feeling after a trip.

Unpack your luggage as soon as possible

It takes a little more willpower after a long day on the road, but unpacking as soon as you get home really helps. Kurt Fulepp, president of digital at AccuWeather, said: "No matter when I arrive home-after an overnight flight or at midnight-I completely unpack my suitcase and put it in storage." Dwyer does the same and says that unpacking brings him back to his home space; for example, by putting his clothes in the laundry basket, he has a better idea of what needs to be done for the next week.

Fill your calendar for the next week

Switching from the thrill of traveling to the routine of home life can be frustrating, but getting back to the things you enjoy at home can help, says Chris Dong, a freelance travel writer: "I like to plan social events for the next week, like dinner with friends. I want to be intentional about who I see and what I do and make the most of my time at home. This even includes organizing dates in advance!"

Return to a clean home

This seems so simple, but it bears repeating: Coming home to a clean apartment or house makes a huge difference. Tran always cleans and takes out the trash before leaving for the airport. Walker cleans out the refrigerator before a long trip. Jada Yuan, a Washington Post contributor, gives away her perishable food to friends and neighbors to avoid food waste.

"I also found a great, affordable cleaner," says Yuan. "Lately, I've been asking her to come a few days before I return to make sure the bathroom and kitchen are clean.

Plan your next trip

In general, the only advice that everyone gave me was this: "Plan your next trip!" says Liz Graham, a therapist from Brooklyn. - "I think the appeal of a vacation or any trip is the expectation of new experiences, a break from work, and new experiences.

"The contrast between 'vacation life' and 'normal life' sets us up for a difficult return," says Graham. "Allow yourself to enjoy what you've had on vacation, complete that experience, and refocus on what's next.