Immerse yourself in the local culture and take it easy: how to truly relax on vacation

How to relax on vacation? Easier said than done. As much as we love vacations, the combination of planning, booking, traveling, and staying in an unfamiliar place can be extremely stressful.

To avoid that "I need a vacation from vacation" feeling, here are some editor-tested and expert-approved tips for a true getaway. From top packing tips to expert advice on the best ways to truly unwind, Condé Nast Traveler writes.

Pack properly

When it comes to organizing a vacation, spontaneity can be a lot of fun. However, when you pack, organization is key. Whatever you do, don't leave packing to the day of your trip. Making a list always helps to ensure you don't forget anything important, but if you're not the list-making type, just make sure you have enough time to remember everything important. Start with the essentials: passport, phone, charger, keys, wallet, visas or travel documents, prescription medications.

Think about the weather at your destination, the dress code at trendy restaurants or events you might attend, cozy clothes for evenings, and appropriate shoes for different activities.

When it comes to toiletries, packing liquids in a clear plastic bag will save you time during security, and you won't have to frantically rummage through your bags in the passport control line.

Structure and scheduling can help

Organized fun isn't always the best kind of vacation, but when it comes to enjoying your vacation to the fullest, sometimes a little structure is the best way to go. Think about what you want to get out of your vacation: Is there a particular restaurant you want to try? A museum you've been desperate to visit? A beach where you envision yourself taking a nap? Doing your research will help ensure that you can fit in everything you want to experience during your trip.

Booking a table in a restaurant or bar in advance will save you valuable time; buying tickets to galleries or museums will prevent you from having to stand in line for hours; and a quick Google search for the beach will show you how long you need to spend on transportation there and back, as well as everything else (when it gets crowded, whether there are free sunbeds, whether there are places to eat nearby, etc.).

Of course, leave yourself some time for last-minute decisions and spontaneity. The unexpected is often the most fun, but only if you're willing to accept it when it comes.

Spend some time outdoors

Most of us spend the majority of our working days indoors. Vacation is a great time to get some fresh air and the vitamin D you need. In addition, being outdoors during your vacation can have serious health benefits. "Spending time in nature helps travelers relax, reducing mental fatigue, increasing happiness, and restoring concentration," Dr. Mahrukh Khwaja, a positive psychologist (MAPP), founder of Mind Ninja, and author of Navigating A Squiggly Life, tells Traveler. "A safe, natural environment allows the mind to roam freely and reduces the brain's strong concentration on specific tasks."

That's not to say that exercise should be prioritized during your vacation, but a small increase in heart rate while traveling, whether it's walking, swimming, hiking, or dancing, can do wonders for your ability to relax for the rest of your vacation.

"Studies show that travelers who spend time outdoors and participate in hiking, walking, or cycling reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension," explains Dr. Khwaja. - "Studies also show that tourists who are in green environments produce lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. So, simply by spending more time outdoors, you can relax while traveling and therefore enjoy your vacation more fully."

Immerse yourself in the local culture

Immersing yourself in the culture and history of a new place can help you relax. It can be hard to get away from the stresses of home, whether it's worrying about your workload when you get back, fighting the urge to check your email, or worrying about family members waiting for you back home. Meeting new people, learning new things, and getting to know the place you're visiting can help you let go and forget for a moment about the stressors that await you.

Cognitive hypnotherapist Jessica Boston explains why expanding your horizons can help your mental health long after your vacation is over.

Traveling challenges our perceived reality and triggers a chain reaction that allows us to more easily understand the wider world. This can help us gain more hope for what we can achieve beyond our basic understanding and therefore help us feel better. We start to think: "If this is possible, what else is possible?"

Take your time

Every day we are in a hurry, running for trains, rushing to work, getting things done as quickly as possible, and wanting the clock to go faster so we can finish work and rush home. It can be tempting to treat holidays the same way - to rush to make sure you can squeeze everything you want to do into a short amount of time. But holidays are a time to pause and slow down. We don't often go back to the same place more than once, so it's important to appreciate the little things as much as possible. Taking your time to do the things you want to do means you'll give yourself time to enjoy every single moment. Give yourself more time to explore what you want to explore so that if you really enjoy something in particular, you don't have to rush to the next thing.

Practice mindfulness

"In our hectic daily lives, the fast pace of our anxieties and demanding culture often prevents us from being in the present moment," explains Boston. - "There are so many sources of information vying for our attention, and everything related to survival keeps us constantly on the lookout for imminent danger. This habitual state prevents us from being truly present because our minds are constantly working overtime."

By slowing down, you will find yourself discovering new aspects of yourself and finding simple joys that remind you that now is the time to enjoy life to the fullest. Your ability to practice presence will change your perspective and reprioritize your priorities, leading to a greater sense of inner peace."

Dr. Khwaja agrees: "A key way our brains can benefit from traveling is by practicing mindfulness abroad. Researchers report that practicing mindfulness while traveling, such as increasing awareness of the external environment, focusing on the present moment, and experiencing the destination in a non-judgmental way, has a positive impact on how we feel, act, and think. Mindfulness allows us to shift from stress to mindfulness and expands our focus to reframe life's circumstances in a positive way."

Pamper yourself while traveling

Obviously, a vacation is a treat in itself, and it can be expensive. But if you're going on vacation, it's important to make sure you don't spend the entire trip worrying about how much everything costs and skimp on the experience while you're there. This brings us back to the previous point about organization: If you plan properly, you can balance the more affordable experiences with the more upscale ones. A vacation is a time for fun, so make sure you give yourself the opportunity to enjoy your trip as much as you can afford to.

Don't try to control everything

Having said that, it's equally important to realize that a vacation is not always guaranteed to go perfectly smoothly. It's helpful to remind yourself that you are in a new place and you can't foresee all the possibilities. There are an infinite number of variables that can arise, and trying to plan for it all will never work. Do your best to prepare yourself physically and mentally, but once you arrive at your destination, try to give up trying to control everything and everyone. This is a chance for you to completely relax, unwind, and enjoy the little time we get each year to let things unfold naturally.