It’s a common joke – ‘you’ll need a vacation after your vacation’!

And, granted, it’s a difficult trap not to fall into!

When we’re spending thousands of dollars flying to exotic parts of the world, it’s only natural that you’ll want to fit as much into your itinerary as possible, and make the most of every second.

But this does also mean that you return home with post-vacation exhaustion – not to be confused with the post-vacation blues.

That’s not to say that you have to sit on a beach and not take an active vacation – but you don’t want to wear yourself out so thoroughly that you find you can’t function properly once you’re home!

Utilize the following tips for returning home from vacation fully rested!

How to Return From Vacation Fully Rested

Don’t Immediately Return To Work

Ending a vacation the night before you return to work (or school) is a bad strategy. Trust me – I speak from experience!

It might seem like you’re maximizing the time you have on vacation before you get back to work, but the truth is that you are sabotaging yourself for when you return.

Taking an extra day or two between the end of the vacation and the return to work is optimal for keeping stress levels low. You have to factor in that you’ll need time to recover from jetlag, to wash your clothes, and seeing friends and family.

And a buffer of time also gives you flexibility to get home if your travels are delayed. As travelers, we live in a world where nothing can be said to be certain except for death, taxes, and cancelled flights!!

There’s also a certain level of mental adjustment required from moving your headspace out of vacation mode, and back into your normal routine, so give yourself some time to chill. 48 hours is optimal.

Make A To-Do List BEFORE You Go

Making a to-do list for the end of your vacation is probably not high on your list of priorities before you’ve even gone, but it’ll make your life so much easier when you get home.

Future you will thank you!

A to-do list for returning to work makes everything more manageable, and you’re likely to be in a much better headspace to tackle it before you leave, than when you return home, exhausted and tired, having spent two weeks actively forgetting about your home / work life.

So before you leave, make a list of everything you need to do once you get home, in that 48 hours of buffer time you’ve left yourself. Did you promise to call people once you got back? Need to check in with your neighbors?

Are any specific work deadlines due, or do you need to remember to iron that work shirt before you go? Knowing that you have a list at home will also mean you can stress less on vacation, safe in the knowledge you have it all covered once you’re home.

Invest In Your Rest

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of enjoying a trip overseas, and it’s one of the most crucial keys to returning home fully rested.

There’s no denying that travel often disrupts your sleep routine, so it’s important to make sure the accommodation you’ve chosen allows for a good nights sleep.

Make sure the mattress you’re sleeping on is suitable (back pain sufferers in particular will need a good quality mattress, otherwise you’ll return home in worse shape than when you left), and you may consider traveling with your own pillow if you need a very specific density.

Having a fitness-oriented itinerary actually helps with getting the rest you need, and if you find you have trouble sleeping, chamomile oil can be placed on pillows and bed sheets to promote longer and deeper sleep.

Related Post: The Benefits of Using Roman Chamomile Essential Oil for Travelers

Gaming and Fun

Gaming is another way of keeping your mind and body at rest when you’re at home from vacation. Yes, you’re on a vacation to escape the routines of home, but home comforts can prove really beneficial in unwinding after a solid day.

Whether this means watching Netflix (pro tip: if you’re in another country you may need a VPN to connect) at the end of an action packed day, or gaming as you normally would at home (a rollbit coupon code will also work abroad) the idea is bringing the comforts of home overseas with you.

You’ll feel less stressed, and winding down each day, even on vacation, is an important factor in getting good quality sleep. Which we just talked about.

Eat Well

The nature of frequently traveling means your immune system will be put under a lot of stress, but one of the best ways to keep your body strong, and therefore return home fully rested, is by eating well and stay healthy.

It can be really easy to neglect your health and eat on the go when you’re traveling – and it’s especially easy to get carried away with colorful cocktails when you’re on vacation. But if you want to return home fully rested, you need to make sure your body has all the nutrients it needs normally.

Eat high-protein, high fiber, low carb meals, which are easy to digest, and also aim to eat plenty of fresh veggies. Like any fighting force, the immune system and energy army marches on its stomach. Immune system warriors need good, regular nourishment.

When you’re flying, the high elevations and low humidity typical of airplane travel have a dehydrating effect, which can provoke headaches, stomach problems, cramps, and fatigue, and diminish your immune system’s ability to fight off infections.

The simple solution? Stay hydrated by regularly sipping water before, during, and after your flight. Taking into consideration the above tips on avoiding water contamination of course.

What are your tips and tricks for returning home from vacation fully rested?