Now that more and more borders are opening up, we can go back to having a well-deserved vacation. A few days, or even weeks, to enjoy ourselves and forget a bit about the past months devoted entirely to the Coronavirus pandemic. But how do you go on vacation with peace of mind and combat the nagging “going home feeling”? We give you six tips to keep the excellent vacation vibes going, both on the trip and at home.

1) Start On Time

A well-known problem: you start packing too late, which leads to an overdose of stress. Our advice? Make sure your bags and belongings are packed three days in advance. That way, you can relax in the last few days and have plenty of time to clear your head before you leave. Afraid you’ll forget something? Keep this vacation checklist in hand!

2) Leave Your House Well

It sounds annoying, but it is highly recommended: the extensive cleaning before departure. An uninhabited house creates a lot of dust, which can be very scary when you return home. Especially if you take into account that you also come home with a big pile of dirty clothes and have to empty the suitcase again. So, make sure your house is in order when you close the door behind you. Leaving in a clean place means coming home to a clean space. Also, remember to put the automatic lighting on; it will look like you are at home and keep burglars at bay, and close the curtains when needed.

3) Sort the Laundry

The inevitable mountain is horrendous! Make it as easy as possible and sort the laundry into three plastic bags while you’re on vacation, one for light clothes, one for dark, and one with colored clothes. That way, you’ll only have to empty them into the washing machine when you get home, and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress and irritation.

4) Anti-Stress Back Home

Your well-deserved vacation is over, and you’re back to everyday life. For many people, the return to normal life falls on their roof. After days of being free and relaxed, you suddenly have to get back to doing all sorts of things. We’ve put together a list of things you can do to avoid stressing out:

-Start looking for your next vacation destination right now, so you’ll have something to look forward to!

-Stay under the radar for a while longer, keep the blinds closed for a while, don’t immediately respond to every email and text you receive, and go back to relaxing.

-Enjoy the things you don’t have at your vacation destination, there’s nothing better than your comfy bed, right?

5) Watch Movies or Read Books To Keep You in the Vacation Mood

Have you been to Spain or France? Then watch a delightful Spanish series or a French movie to hold those travel jitters. Or, just like on vacation, pick up a good book and get lost in a good story like you would by the pool or on the beach. It’s also fun to take up a hobby that gives you a sense of calm. For example, get back to drawing or painting, put on your workout clothes, take a yoga class in the garden, or go for a long walk.

6) Play

Did you know that with games, you are also exercising your mind? Board games, puzzles, cooperative games, crosswords, etc. You will spend an enjoyable summer afternoon and keep your mind active and happy!

How do you make sure you go on vacation relaxed and stay that way when you return home? Share your experience with us in the comments below! We’d love to read about it.