Vacations should be just about relaxing & having fun—but sometimes we end up making things more stressful without even realizing it! In fact, most Americans have habits that make their trips more hectic than they need to be and turn getaways into something much less refreshing. Here are twelve ways Americans often make vacations more stressful. Knowing about these ways will help you avoid this and actually relax during your vacations!
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Overloading the Itinerary
Packing every day with back-to-back activities is something many Americans do—they try to see & do as much as possible by scheduling numerous events with hardly any downtime. But taking a nonstop approach leaves no room for relaxation or spontaneous adventures. Rather than enjoying the moment, travelers rush from one thing to the next and it makes the vacation more exhausting than refreshing.
Not Adjusting to Time Zones
Likewise, going straight into travel activities without adjusting for time differences will only make you tired—yet some Americans try to power through jet lag by doing this as soon as they arrive. Unfortunately, this makes them tired & irritable so the vacation becomes far less enjoyable. You should take the time to rest and adjust because it’ll allow you to fully enjoy the experiences ahead.
Staying Connected to Work
It’s hard to unwind when work emails and calls keep coming in yet some Americans continue to check their inboxes. They’ll answer messages while on vacation and this keeps them tethered to the office, which stops them from fully relaxing & enjoying their time off. The stress of work lingers in the background—rather than getting a mental break, the vacation becomes an extension of the workweek.
Overpacking Luggage
Lots of Americans worry about needing something “just in case” so they’ll pack more than necessary, stuffing suitcases with extra clothes & shoes for every occasion. They also pack plenty of gadgets that “might come in handy”—resulting in heavy bags that are hard to carry and potential extra fees at the airport. There’s also the hassle of keeping track of numerous items which makes a simple part of travel into a real ordeal.
Traveling During Peak Times
Choosing to travel during holidays or popular vacation seasons means dealing with larger crowds & higher prices since airports are busier and lines are longer. Once you arrive, the attractions are packed and this creates frustration for many Americans as they compete for reservations. There’s no such thing as a peaceful trip—just a lot of stress and crowds to deal with.
Relying Solely on Technology
Relying entirely on smartphones and apps for information often backfires because your battery might die or there might be no signal. Worse still, you miss out on opportunities to go off the beaten track since you’re not using the local environment to help you. Relying on technology may make things more stressful if things go wrong—you should have alternative options just in case.
Eating Only Familiar Foods
Some Americans hesitate to try new foods and they stick to familiar chain restaurants—they’ll completely avoid local cuisine. But the options they’re used to aren’t always available so finding meals becomes stressful & such a reluctance to step outside their comfort zone makes dining a hassle. You lose the chance to fully experience the destination’s culture.
Skipping Travel Insurance
Some Americans try to save money by skipping travel insurance and that’s bad news if unexpected events like medical emergencies or trip cancellations happen. They’ll have to deal with huge expenses & difficulties because without insurance, dealing with these situations is more stressful. You lose that peace of mind that comes with being covered and this creates more financial worries.
Setting Unrealistic Expectations
Expecting everything to go perfectly sets American travelers up for disappointment since flights might be delayed or the weather could be miserable. Lots of us have a detailed vision of the perfect trip—so when things don’t match up, you naturally feel frustrated. Instead, you have to accept that not everything will go as planned, as this kind of thinking will make you less stressed. It’ll also make any unexpected issues easier to handle.
Overusing Social Media
Focusing on capturing every moment for social media distracts you from actually experiencing the trip as you spend more time taking photos & choosing filters than enjoying where you are. Putting such a heavy focus on sharing with others also puts pressure on you to make everything look perfect—that’s rather stressful. It takes away from the genuine enjoyment you’ll feel from living in the moment.
Overlooking Passport and Visa Requirements
Assuming that your passports or IDs are all okay will cause big problems and some Americans don’t check their passport expiration dates—or they forget to see if they need a visa. They’ll then arrive at the airport only to be denied boarding, which completely ruins travel plans. Never assume that you’re okay to travel and, instead, check all the details out beforehand.
Not Accounting for Local Holidays and Events
Not doing your research on local calendars may cause issues since you could arrive during major holidays or festivals without realizing it. As such, the shops may be closed and transportation could be limited—this often causes Americans to feel frustrated. It takes just a few minutes to look into local schedules beforehand and save yourself from the drama!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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