Top Tips to Reduce Stress When Preparing for a Holiday this Easter
As the Easter holiday approaches, many people are getting ready to embark on their dream getaway. However, a survey of 2,000 adults has revealed that the week leading up to the departure is the most stressful time of the year for four out of 10 adults. Despite eagerly anticipating a sunny break all year, two-thirds of respondents find themselves extremely busy in the lead-up to the holiday, making it difficult to get excited due to the overwhelming amount of things on their minds.
Over half of those surveyed shared that they can only relax and unwind once they are en route to the airport. The top pre-holiday stressors identified in the survey include packing bags, cleaning the house, and organising necessary documents. This stress often leads to 16 per cent of individuals opting out of taking a holiday altogether because of the extensive preparation involved.
To address these pre-holiday stressors, travel blogger Vicky Flip Flop, in partnership with National Express, has shared some ‘getaway hacks’ to ensure a stress-free countdown to your holiday. Vicky recommends adopting the right mindset before your journey, engaging in soothing activities such as a short stretching routine, enjoying a cup of herbal tea, or lighting a calming candle to create a sense of calm and purposeful preparation.
Additionally, Vicky suggests setting travel goals such as finishing a book you’ve been wanting to read or learning basic phrases in the language of your destination to help alleviate travel anxiety. She pointed out that the pressure to create a perfect holiday experience can sometimes overshadow the excitement, leaving people feeling overwhelmed rather than eager.
Ed Rickard, the network director for National Express, highlighted that the worry of mishaps during travel can be particularly stressful for those travelling with children or in large groups. As a solution, National Express has seen an 11.5 per cent increase in bookings for Easter travel to major UK airports compared to last year at the same time. With convenient coach services to and from airports, holidaymakers have one less thing to worry about as the coaches take them directly to the airport terminal door.
Vicky Flip Flop offered ten pre-holiday tips to help travellers alleviate stress and ensure a smoother journey. These tips include briefing neighbours on plant care, organising the fridge, booking airport transport early, de-stressing before departure with calming activities, giving your trip a purpose, discussing trip expectations with companions, ensuring all devices are charged, creating an epic soundtrack for your journey, being intentional while observing the world during travel, and maintaining a sense of peace at the airport.
In conclusion, planning for a holiday can be overwhelming and stressful, but with the right mindset, preparation, and travel tips, travellers can reduce stress and enjoy a smoother journey to their dream getaway this Easter. By incorporating these strategies into their pre-holiday routine, individuals can look forward to a more relaxed and enjoyable travel experience.