Make That Vacation Vibe Last A Little Longer

By drodriguez May 27, 2009

For many people, summer is the prime season to plan a trip, round up some friends or family and get away for a few days. A lot of time and effort goes into the details of your trip, but it’s also important to spend some time planning your departure and arrival back home. If you can get a few things done before you leave, it will be a lot easier to get right back into the swing of things when you come back.

A recent article from CNN.com offers some tips on how you can ease back into work and your daily life after a respite away. The first thing you should do is organize before you leave. Coming back to your office or home to find a mess can ruin the stress-free feeling you achieved on that vacation.

You may not see the need to make your bed before you leave, but you’ll appreciate it when you flop down on your arrival back. Greenliving.suite101.com suggests you order a DVD or book to greet you when you get back. Or, if you prefer, you can make plans with friends to have a nice dinner. This will also allow you to recount the glorious details of your time away.

Another trick that will allow you to hold onto the tranquility just a little longer is to come back midweek. If you have a few days off from work right after you return home this will help you ease your way back in.

Lastly, CNN.com suggests you plan a mini-vacation when you get back. Planning a short weekend trip or even a day at a spa can help you feel like the vacation did not come to a screeching halt once you put the key in your front door. A more affordable approach may be to have a spa day at home or plan a potluck with friends.

Will you be doing any travelling this summer?

If so, do you think you could use some of the tips above to help you ease your way back into the daily grind?

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Comments

by mrruva | Carmichael, CA

May 31, 2009

I agree totally! I always clean before I leave! I hate to come home after vacation to work. I always come home at least a day early before jumping right back into to work!! I love the idea of having a DVD or book waiting, something to look foreward, I'm going to try that, my family is leaving to the Caribbean in 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by gatorfitzwife | Atlanta, GA

May 30, 2009

I love these tips! i really like the idea of returning to a clean home a few days before getting back to real life with a good book waiting for me in the mail. Unfortunately I usually don't pack early enough to be prepared to leave my house looking good. Need to improve that!

by piscesgrly2 | GALT, CA

May 30, 2009

Well, I won't be doing any traveling this summer because I don't work, and my dad is unemployed. We were going to to Montana, but that was planned before he got laid off. I love it when I don't have to clean when I get back from vacation. If my house is a mess, then I beciome overwhelmed, and the vacation wouldn't have done any good.

by ShortThickNThunda | Louisville, KY

May 29, 2009

I agree. I rushed out on a trip not thinking about they mess I made. When I got home I was tired. I didn't feel like looking at or cleaning it up. I will use this & send it to everyone I know.

by BBcorazoncita | North Olmsted, OH

May 29, 2009

I'm forwarding this to my mother...I remember growing up, when the family would come home from vacation everyone would be on edge, cranky, and overtired. These tips are great for helping ease back into "real life"!

by chasity_863 | Quincy, OH

May 29, 2009

I also agree. Most of my family lives a state away so I often travel to see them. About a week before I leave, I start really cleaning the house and making lists of what we will need to pack. This way, most of the time we rarely forget anything and when we come home we can relax. The idea of coming home on a weekday to give yourself a couple of days to settle back in is a great one. I will definitely try that next time!!

by bonnieb118 | Bennington, VT

May 29, 2009

I definitely agree. I've always used the organizing before you go trick. It always helps. I will definitely try to do the other one too.

by funKat | Cebu City, OU

May 29, 2009

SO do I.. I definitely agree!..Once I took a long vacation with my boyfriend , when I got back to work I was stunned! Then I realized I had a lot of mess left behind as I hurried to pack up. This is very useful..Thanks! ;)

by RandiB | Glendale, AZ

May 27, 2009

I agree with this article 100%, in fact I do most of the suggestions before a vacation. I know I am busy washing laundry & packing, but I do try to pick up and organize the house, if not clean it fully. I hate coming home to a messy house, especially the kitchen. So if nothing else, I clean the kitchen the night before we leave. And when ever possible we travel Friday-Friday, so we have Saturday & Sunday to unpack, relax, and get back into the swing of things at home before work on Monday. And we usually do try to get together with friends that weekend after we get back. It really helps you stay relaxed and not get all tired and stressed again before work. Have you ever heard the expression you need a vacation after your vacation. Try those tips and you won't feel that way anymore.