For many people, vacations are supposed to be a time to unplug and recharge. Yet the reality often looks very different. Instead of relaxing, travelers find themselves glued to their phones, worrying about work, or rushing from one activity to another. This struggle is exactly what inspired A Psychologist Shares 3 Effective Ways to Truly Relax During Stressful Vacations, offering practical guidance for anyone who finds it hard to slow down.
From Burnout to Balance
Monica Virga, a 38-year-old entrepreneur living in Norway, knows this problem all too well. After long stretches of working up to 20 hours a day, she found it difficult to suddenly switch into vacation mode.
“It felt strange going from nonstop work to doing almost nothing,” she recalled. Even while on holiday, she would check emails and follow up on tasks that could easily wait. By the time she returned home, she often felt as though she hadn’t taken a break at all.
“I realized I was coming back just as tired as when I left,” Virga admitted. “All those old, unhealthy habits were still following me.”
Determined to change that pattern, she began preparing differently for her trips. Before a vacation to Morocco two years ago, she started easing her workload weeks in advance. Rather than cramming everything into the last few days, she added a few extra hours of work each week starting in late August. She also began packing several weeks early to avoid last-minute chaos.
Her experience aligns closely with the professional advice highlighted in A Psychologist Shares 3 Effective Ways to Truly Relax During Stressful Vacations. According to American psychologist Guy Winch, thoughtful planning and mental preparation are essential for genuine relaxation.
1. Slow Down Before You Leave
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is working at full speed right up until the moment they depart. Winch explains that the human mind doesn’t instantly shift from high stress to total calm.
“People usually try to get ahead at work before a trip,” he said. “They leave exhausted and overwhelmed, which makes it harder to relax once they arrive.”
Because of this, many vacationers only begin to unwind just as their holiday is ending. The key, he suggests, is to gradually reduce your pace ahead of time.
Instead of operating in “fifth gear,” ease down to third. By slowing your routine in the days leading up to a trip, your mind and body have a better chance of fully switching off once vacation begins.
2. Plan Trips That Fit Your Personal Pace
Another major factor in enjoying time off is learning to vacation in a way that suits your own needs—especially for parents.
Virga, who has two young children, no longer fills her schedule with endless sightseeing. Instead, she focuses on experiences that allow both her and her family to unwind.
“I look for trips where there’s some kind of childcare option,” she said. “That way I can get a massage or do yoga while my kids are being looked after.”
Rather than chasing a picture-perfect itinerary, she now prioritizes activities that truly bring joy and calm. “Traditional vacations aren’t really designed for parents,” she added. “There’s often too much stimulation and pressure.”
Marissa Goldstein, a mother of four, agrees that unrealistic expectations can ruin a holiday. She believes that trying to create a flawless trip only leads to disappointment.
“The moment parents aim for perfection, they set themselves up for failure,” Goldstein explained. Comparing family trips to polished social media images only adds unnecessary pressure.
Her solution is simple: travel without rigid plans. “We just explore and figure things out as we go,” she said. To keep her children entertained, she even uses tools like ChatGPT to design fun scavenger hunts based on the destination.
“Our best memories come from hands-on experiences,” Goldstein shared. “Not from expensive or luxurious things.”
3. Mentally Disconnect From Work
Perhaps the most important lesson in A Psychologist Shares 3 Effective Ways to Truly Relax During Stressful Vacations is the need to detach psychologically from work.
According to Winch, a vacation isn’t just about changing locations—it’s about giving your mind a real break.
For self-employed professionals like Goldstein, that can be especially challenging. “When you work for yourself, it’s hard to switch off completely,” she admitted.
To manage this, she and her husband take turns handling urgent tasks while traveling, allowing each other periods of uninterrupted rest.
Winch follows a similar approach. Although he doesn’t disconnect 100 percent, he limits work to very specific moments.
“I respond only when it’s convenient and doesn’t interfere with my plans,” he said. The key is setting boundaries rather than promising constant availability.
Making Vacations Truly Restorative
Taking time off should leave you feeling refreshed, not drained. With thoughtful preparation, realistic expectations, and healthier boundaries, it is possible to enjoy vacations the way they were meant to be enjoyed.
As highlighted in A Psychologist Shares 3 Effective Ways to Truly Relax During Stressful Vacations, real relaxation doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design. By slowing down, traveling at your own pace, and learning to disconnect from work, your next holiday can finally become the restful escape you deserve.
