Four rules for enjoying a relaxing vacation

I’m not going to pretend I’m an expert in vacations, but it seems to me there are a few simple rules that will serve you well and help you enjoy them more.

For me, the whole point of vacations is relaxing. If I don’t relax and get downtime, then what’s the point of spending all that money to get away?

Here’s four rules that, if followed diligently, will increase the likelihood that your vacation will be a an enjoyable and relaxing one.

Rule #1 – Adopt a glass half full approach to everything. Even if this isn’t your normal state of mind, try to adopt it for the duration of your vacation. The fact is, things don’t always work out 100% as you expect and plan – especially on vacation, when you have a limited amount of time. When confronted with this inevitable reality, you have a choice: be massively disappointed – or, make the best of it. Since it’s a vacation, you’ll get more out of making the best of it – whatever “it” is.

Rule #2 – Don’t over-schedule. Pick one or two priority destinations for the trip and plan around them. Don’t be afraid to just sit around and wile away your time doing activities that don’t require much planning. Read some books. Play video games. Exercise. Cook meals and/or eat well. Shop. Go for walks. Do crossword puzzles. Do things that you might consider wasting time in your daily life. These are activities that can happen anywhere and anytime and don’t require any scheduling. If you really want to be crazy, try this: Just wake up and decide what to do that day based on how you feel. Oh, and it’s OK to feel “bored” toward the end of your vacation – perhaps even desirable. The last thing you want is to feel like you need a vacation after your vacation.

Rule #3 – Write, record, observe. Stop and smell the roses – it’s your vacation, after all. Take some close-up pictures of those roses and then inhale their sweet smell deep into your lungs. Now, sit down and write about how they smell and what that scent reminds you of. Open your eyes to the beauty that is all around you. Life is too short to ignore the beautiful stuff that surrounds you every day. That’s what vacations are for.

Rule #4 – Have sex. Lots of it. Sex is very relaxing.

If what you’re after is to unwind and enjoy life, following these rules will take your vacation from good to great.