After the chaos and uncertainty of the last couple of years, it’s hardly surprising that so many of us feel in need of a break. 

Whether you’re feeling stressed, need an escape from the news cycle or are struggling to juggle all your responsibilities, the chance to spend a week relaxing on the beach or exploring an unfamiliar city is just what the doctor ordered.

The only problem? As much as you might feel in need of a break, switching off might not prove as easy as you expect it to be – especially if you’re used to being busy all the time. 

In fact, some people find that the process of going on holiday – including all the organisation and planning required in the run-up to going away – can actually increase their stress levels, leading to a phenomenon called ‘holiday burnout’, where people return from a trip more stressed than when they left. 

Of course, at a time when we’re all feeling a bit overwhelmed, the last thing you want is to return home in need of another break – and that’s where Stylist comes in.

To give you the tools you need to enjoy a restorative holiday this summer, we asked the experts to share their top tips for switching off. Here’s what they had to say. 

Plan, pack and check

Before you leave for the airport, one of the best things you can do to reduce your stress levels is to prepare.

“According to a study, a key contributor to holiday-related stress happens during the planning stages, with two-thirds worried about forgetting travel documents and a large percentage worried about packing and not getting to the airport on time,” explains StressNoMore’s health and wellbeing expert Stephanie Taylor.

“To avoid forgetting any essentials, start packing for your trip at least one to two weeks before you set off, so you can weigh up clothes, toiletries, medication or other essentials you have and what you might need to buy. 

“And with reports that queues are causing travellers to miss their flights, it’s best to arrive at the airport three hours before take-off to ensure you get through check-in and security with plenty of time to spare.”

Taylor continues: “Being extra prepared will give you a sense of comfort and reduced anxiety. And, if you run into any unexpected dilemmas, you’ll have plenty of time to ensure everything is in order before you jet off.”

Switch off work messages

As tempting as it may be to check in on work while you’re away, doing so will only add to your stress levels and make it harder for you to relax in the long run. 

“It’s impossible to relax on holiday if you’re constantly checking and responding to work messages,” explains psychotherapist and Counselling Directory member Laura Duester. “Before leaving, try to hand over any urgent work to colleagues, set a holiday voicemail and email autoreply (including your return to work date), and inform any important contacts or clients. You can then turn off your notifications and leave your work laptop and phone at home. 

“Alternatively, if you can’t completely switch off from work while you’re away, plan to log in once a day at a set time, limit how long you spend checking messages and only reply to the most urgent/pressing issues.”

Taylor agrees. “Checking up on things back home, like social media and work emails, stops you from living in the present and enjoying your holiday and could lead to burnout and eventual resentment if your time away is spoilt by something happening miles away.

“Try and have a digital detox while you’re away by limiting your screen time to a few hours a day to allow you to completely relax and make special memories you can look back on with fondness.”

Decide your holiday priorities

To remove any holiday-related stress, Duester recommends setting some priorities for your trip before you leave, so you know exactly what you want to see, do and experience. 

“What’s the priority for your holiday – do you want relaxation, family time, sightseeing, sporting activities or something else?” Duester says. “There’s never enough time to do everything, so work out what’s most important to you and prioritise that. It might help to imagine how you’ll feel when the holiday is over – what will you want to remember that you’ve done and enjoyed?”

Taylor also recommends coming up with a rough plan of what you want to do while you’re away. “While it can be stressful to know where to start, travel planning has been known to boost mood and mindset,” she says. “Familiarise yourself with the area you’re staying in, such as local attractions and things happening.”

Allow yourself time to settle in

Travelling to a new place – and getting used to spending time in a new room – can be quite overwhelming. As such, it’s important to give yourself time and space to settle in before you tackle any big plans or adventures.

“While it is a good idea to familiarise yourself before going on your trip and have some things planned, it’s best not to stick to a stringent plan – especially on the first few days – because your blood pressure rises on the first day of travel and stays high for the next two days,” Taylor explains.

“Instead, allow your body to adjust to a different pace of life by turning off any alarms you might have and waking up naturally, and opt for spontaneous activities rather than a strict daily schedule. Plus, relaxing in the sun will increase your serotonin, which can reduce feelings of depression or anxiety.”

Put your worries on hold

If you’re someone who struggles to put their worries aside, this simple technique is a great way to give yourself space to unwind.  

“Even when you’re on a sunny beach or exploring a new town, real-life worries can pop into your head and be hard to ignore,” Duester says. “Try writing down anything that’s bothering you and then mentally put your concern(s) on hold. 

“If the same thoughts pop up repeatedly, gently acknowledge them and let them go, telling yourself you’ll have a chance to worry about them later. You can return to your list of worries, and decide on what actions you need to take, when you get home.”

Let go of unrealistic expectations

The process of going on holiday can be stressful and it’s likely you’ll run into a few roadblocks along the way. However, the way you think about these issues can make a world of difference to your ability to relax. 

“From flight delays to forgetting your hairbrush, there will always be things that go wrong on holiday,” Duester says. “While this can be frustrating when you’ve spent a lot of money and want everything to be perfect, the best strategy is to accept and manage any problems as they arise. 

“Let go of stress and expectations, take a deep breath, see if you can find a different solution and try to find the funny side (if possible).”

Eat and drink well

One of the best parts of any trip away is enjoying all the amazing food that’s on offer in the local area, and dedicating time to eat and drink well is a surefire way to help you relax.

“Today, many people have such a fast-paced lifestyle, so we are forced to eat on the run, making mealtimes less enjoyable,” Taylor says. “Experiencing every aspect of your dining experience, from the taste, smell and touch of your food and the social side, will eliminate stress from mealtimes.”

Ditch the guilt

Our fast-paced lifestyles have made it normal to feel guilty about taking time off – but don’t let that feeling stand in the way of giving yourself the break you deserve. 

“In today’s fast-paced society, slowing down and enjoying yourself can provoke serious feelings of guilt,” says Duester. “Remind yourself that it’s your holiday and you’re allowed to take a break. If you want to ignore social media, have a siesta every day or read Mills & Boon novels, give yourself permission and enjoy it!”

Images: Getty