Planning a vacation is good for both the mind and the soul. Not only is it the perfect thing to look forward to but it also reminds us that there is an endless world to explore out there and while it might not feel that way right now, it will be ours once again. It's invigorating to the soul to go through the motions of picking out a new destination, flip through photos of all the spots we wish to visit and go through the itineraries of activities that we'll take part in once we're there. Comparing the prices of hotels or rentals and determining the best mode of transportation are things that our wanderlust selves absolutely crave during times such as these. And, according to science and statistics, it might just be good for us.
National 'Plan a Vacation Day' was on January 26th and just because the day itself has passed doesn't mean that vacation-planning should be a one-day occurrence. Planning vacations can be an any day occurrence, and studies have shown that 97% of people in the US reported feeling better after simply going through the process, before even taking one.
It Cuts The Heavy Lifting In Half And Reduces Stress
When it comes time to actually take the vacation, you'll be happy to know that all of the planning has been done. There's no need for last-minute adjustments when you're planning something months - or even a year - in advance.
It's amazing what happens when we do end up with so much time on our hands; sure, spontaneous vacations are great, but doesn't it just feel good when something has been sorted out down the last detail? This feeling of accomplishment is also rewarding, both from a mental standpoint and an emotional standpoint.
Deciding Now Can Give You Time To Change Plans Later On
On the other hand, maybe everything that's being planned now is just tentative. Perhaps there are a few details that need to be left out or dates that are penciled in and can't be permanently etched yet. Perhaps there are some friends who might be joining you or a tentative event that's going on during those dates.
Whatever the case might be, planning ahead can help cement the things that are concrete, while leaving spaces open for those that are uncertain still. If nothing else, you'll have a rough itinerary and idea of where you're going, how, and when, while still being able to change and edit plans right up until the vacation date.
If You're Planning It With Family And Friends, The Earlier, The Better
We all know that one person who is totally a last-minute-Lucy. Whether they're constantly late for the airport ride because they're still packing or are taking forever in choosing a hotel room, there's no denying that we all have someone in our lives who shares these same qualities.
The one thing that can be done to avoid having a last-minute setback is to plan in advance - and planning way in advance can allow everyone the time to work on that one person who's constantly falling behind with the plan.
Researching Deals, And Keeping An Eye On Them, Can Save You Money
If you have an account with any travel site, or even if you're just good at bookmarking your favorite sites, then keeping up with travel deals should be no problem. This is the best time to create a separate email address strictly for travel plans - that way, when you sign up for newsletters, deals, and alerts from sites, they'll all go directly to one email and won't get lost in the shuffle of your everyday address.
If email isn't your thing, simply create a separate tab folder on your internet browser for things that catch your eye. If you're really keen on organization, consider drafting a spreadsheet with Google docs so you can save website links and share them with others.
Split The Time Up And Plan A Bunch Of Mini-Vacations
Another option is to avoid planning a big vacation at all and instead, plan a bunch of smaller ones. Whether it's local travel or a long weekend out of the state (or country, when international travel is open again), this is the route many people are leaning toward taking nowadays. It's been confirmed that more vacations, even if they're short ones, for a change of scenery helps a person's mental state. It's the process of getting away and enjoying some time elsewhere that makes us feel a little more uninhibited, and sometimes, splitting up vacations throughout the year is precisely what we need.