We spend months looking forward to a summer holiday but many
people come back drained and in
need of another break.
Hélène Hofmanasked the experts what you
can do to get the most out of
going away, even once you get back.
Over the next few months thousands of people across the State will go on their long-awaited summer holiday. Regardless of whether you head to Mayo, Marseille or Mumbai, many of you head to Mayo, Marseille or Mumbai, many of us will return feeling like we never left.
However, there are some simple tips which can help you make the most of your time away, even after you come home.
"We put a lot of pressure on such a short period of time to compensate for a very long period of time," says Lorraine McColgan, a psychologist and clinical supervisor based in Harold's Cross, Dublin.
"At the outset people don't always think of their needs. It's almost like people go into autopilot and just think of two weeks in the sun. That may not be what you prefer, so choose somewhere you want to go.
"You may prefer to go to a monastery in Scotland or look at wildlife. This involves a certain degree of selfreflection. "Treat holidays as a way to nurture yourself. Look at what you want and what you can afford. You have a whole year to think about it so why not do so," says McColgan.
While most people will have the luxury of going away for only a week or two, McColgan says those who have the possibility of taking more time will feel the benefits.
"You'll often hear people come back and say 'I felt like I was never away'. People only begin to wind down after the first week or so. If you have the possibility of taking a decent break, and not everyone will, you should. "Three weeks or a month will give you real space from stress. Even if you do only get a week or two, don't panic that you should be relaxing but you're not. It takes time to let go of the rigidity we're used to in our work lives," she says.
"If you can tie up the loose ends so that you don't have to be contactable when you're away, that will help. A lot of people fall into the trap of being available when they're away and that isn't a break. "If you can plan ahead so that you can turn off the mobile when you get there, do," she says. Greg Dalton, life and career coach with Q1 Etc, agrees that extensive planning will help you get the most out of your time off. As well as thoroughly researching your destination, he recommends creating a checklist of all the things you need to do in the weeks leading up to your departure.
"We look forward so much to our two weeks' holidays and forget to take care of important things before we go away. As a result, we tend to bring the whole house with us when we go away," he says. "If you're planning to run a marathon this year, you won't begin your training in September, you'll train well in advance, and that's what you need to do with your holiday," says Dalton.
"If you're going away to the sun in July, buy your clothes in June. If you're going abroad check that the passports are in date. Decide if you're going to bring sun cream or buy it there. "If you're travelling in a group there's probably no need for everyone to bring a digital camera. "These are the little things that if you sort out can help avoid break-ups, fights and other aggravations that might otherwise occur on holiday," says Dalton.
Reflecting on your expectations of the holiday before you leave will help you decide what you want to do when you're there and fit in as much as possible. Dalton says that where more than one person is involved, negotiation is key to enjoying yourself.
"Think of the end of your holiday and ask yourself how do you
want to feel? "Relaxed, clear-headed - you don't want to come back
feeling like you need another holiday. "Picture yourself getting
off that
boat, plane or train saying 'that was a great two weeks' and
think about what it will take to make that happen and take the
steps towards it," he says.
"It's easier said than done if you're travelling with a group.
If one of you wants to go abseiling or sightseeing or just stay on
the beach, allocate the days. "Negotiate and find a happy medium
and don't feel you have to do anything you don't want to," he says.
"Make sure you find five minutes
every day of your holiday to do something for yourself. That
could be having a glass of wine or meditating, it doesn't
matter.
"Give yourself that time to gather your thoughts," he says. Once your holiday starts, Dr Eddie Murphy, consultant clinical psychologist, says that taking time to reflect is one way of taking the benefits of your break back home with you. "If you're on holidays you can capture a moment and then use that moment when you get home. The emotional experience can be replayed whenever you want it.
"The more sensory your image the better and more real it is, so pay attention to the feel, smell, taste and sounds as well as the sights. It can be any situation - for you, it might be having a meal or watching the stars," he says.
"It can take a bit of practise but once you master it you can quite often replay them. They can be used when you are stressed, sitting at your computer - it depends on the situation and the strength of your imagination but it can be highly effective," Murphy suggests.
Planning and realistic expectation will help you get the most out of your time off and return home rejuvenated and satisfied. Dalton warns that it's important to enjoy yourself once you've arrived too and not to worry too much if things don't go exactly to plan. "[Once you're there] think of your diet, sleep and general wellbeing. You don't want to miss half a day because you're hung over.
"Remember that you need as much sleep when you're away as you do when you're at home. You need to eat as well as when you're at home too and maybe even better," he says.
"Many of us spend up to a year waiting for the holiday so it's worth thinking everything through so you can have the best time possible when you're over there and feel satisfied once you get back," says Dalton.