Whole Person Vacation Prep
We’re getting ready for our first trip to Hawaii. Vacation is on my mind. Such a coveted word. We love the idea of it. We count the days to it. We don’t, however, do a great job readying ourselves for it or even getting the most out of it. Given the amount of busy we’ve crammed into our day, vacation prep can feel overwhelming both because there’s so much to get done before we go and because we don’t really know how to shut the busy off.
To get the most out of your time, it’s a good idea to dig into preparation. You don’t want to go skidding into vacation only to find that you didn’t start enjoying it until halfway through it. So, what can you do? We all know the practical lists and to-do’s but let’s talk it out for the fun of the vacation.
First thing first…get organized. Pacify your mind and need for busy by getting your lists going. Do some investigation of what you’ll need to take with you so there’s no last minute racing around, or worse, not having what you need in time. This is the easy part. We all kind of like lists; they’re satisfying in a weird way. Just make sure to then plug the “to-do” aspects of the lists into your calendar so these things actually get checked off. You’ll obviously want to do it for work too. This gets a little more complicated because work rarely fits into a concise list, but do it anyway. Also, if you don’t do the kind of work that lets you totally check out and don’t have the option to have a solid back up in place, be sure that part of your organization includes addressing contact boundaries. Think this one through. Value your time enough to not just leave with a “call me if you need me.” Filed under: be careful what you ask for.
Ok, so now you’re organized. Be sure to hold yourself accountable and get those things checked off your list. This will go a long way to helping you move from the practical preparation to really being able to sink into vacation mode. So far this is all a given for anyone who’s used to scheduling time off. How about we go a little further. What are a couple easy things you can do to prepare to leave mentally and energetically?
Practical meets energetic: Turn up your daily cleansing routine into a power-shower. I like using essential oils and salt scrubs. Essential oils can take your shower to spa level. Whether you drop a few drops in the back of the tub or burn them in the bathroom or even put them in your body soap, you’ll enjoy a richer shower experience. Look for good quality, organic if possible. Salt scrubs are easy to make, multitasking and effective. I use coconut oil because it’s near solid which makes a nice paste. I mix in enough sea salt so that the paste is gritty without being abrasive and slather it on. If you have a shower buddy, even better, have them do your back. Practically speaking, the coconut oil is moisturizing and the salt is exfoliating. Energetically, the salt is clearing and grounding. This one trick can help you de-funk and defrag in no time. Don’t forget a cool rinse; turns out it’s not only good for sealing the pores and making hair shiny, but it also helps seal our energy and make us “sparkle.” Quick note…be sure you’re not allergic to the essential oil or that it’s not one that’s prone to irritation before putting in on the skin or filing the bathroom with it’s scent. Also, you probably don’t want to salt scrub everyday. Depending on your skin sensitivity and your level of frazzle, 2 – 3 times per week is probably plenty.
Physical: If possible, start to include some walking and stretching. No need to start a workout regimen. Let’s not make this hard. We’re looking for simple movement to help the body release pent up stress, not lose weight. Also, if you can, get a massage right before or at the start of your vacation; it will further help the body unwind. Float tanks and baths are great too. For me, float tanks are like being weightlessly suspended in the void which is great to relieve physical pressure and tension, but it’s also emotionally soothing, mentally clearing and spiritually expanding. Definitely a multi-tasker. No float tank? Fill the tub and set a scene: toss some salt, herbs, flowers or essential oils in the water, lower the lights, burn candles, play music or have complete dark and silence…whatever makes you melt.
Mental and Emotional reset: This one is simple but not easy. I think it’s easier if you truly value vacation time as a devotional act of love and pleasure for yourself. Not quite there yet? Journaling or meditating on this can help facilitate the mental shift. You know how “we” talk about work-life balance? It doesn’t have to just be about telecommuting or trying to be home in time for dinner. Ideally it’s about having our work and our lifestyle support each other. Honoring your personal time and self care as much as you honor the time of people you love and respect is how you get the most out of life. Looking for another mind-bender? Meditation. If you’re not yet meditating, now could be a good time to start, no matter how short the sessions. Meditation helps declutter the mind. If you started a week before vacation, you’d already be on your way to continuing the habit. Didn’t find the time before you left? That’s ok, you can find ways to invite meditation and mindfulness into your vacation. Presence practices help you create the feeling of emotional openness and mental spaciousness allowing you to get the most out of your time.
The are so many ways to prepare for vacation. These are a few easy (and totally doable) practices that are awesome ways to expand your life well savored toolkit.