HOW TO BEAT POST VACATION BLUES- PART 2

By​: Susan Sherren for Couture Trips
​Published: 5/2/22 3:14 PM

Build Some Relaxation Into Your Vacation
Researchers compared happiness before and after vacations among Dutch travelers in a 2010 study by the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies. They found that the only group whose happiness remained higher weeks after the trip ended were vacationers who had a "very relaxed holiday." Try to build in some downtime into your itinerary. We often want to cram many activities into each day, especially if you have limited time in a particular city, but it may be wise to take it easy. Your vacation satisfaction and happiness will be greater if you rest some while away.

Sketch Out Your Next Vacation Before You Return Home
Vacations are an excellent time for reflection. Do some long-range planning while away without distractions. Think about what adventure you would enjoy next. The ability to envision future vacations gives your brain something to chew on, and you can start to build a loosely planned itinerary. Don't return home blue; realize you have something in the works for the future. Write down what worked and didn't work on previous vacations, this will be a great jumping-off point for crafting your next vacation. 

Take Something of Value Home 
​We are not talking about an expensive piece of jewelry here but maybe a desire to learn a new language or cooking skill from the place you just left. Purchase a book to bring home that you found on your travels. Learning as much as you can about your destination will be rewarding after returning home. You can incorporate the things you loved about your vacation into your everyday life. You might find a small souvenir that will remind you of a great time on your vacation. Display it in your home, and it will rekindle fond memories. Frame a favorite photo and put it next to your bed or on your desk. The memories from a well-planned vacation will linger long into the future.

Join a Local Vacation Club, Facebook Group, Subscribe to a Blog
Many cities have vacation clubs or language clubs that help to enhance your desire to travel. Facebook groups that focus on a particular aspect of travel or a destination are also a great way to keep your appetite wet for traveling. Nothing is better than sharing your travel experiences with other like-minded, adventurous people. 

Document Your Memories
Take a journal on your travels and write about what you are seeing, doing, and who you are meeting. You can relive your vacation over and over again. Memories can fade, but a well-documented travel log will keep your memories alive well into the future. You can even sync your Instagram account and use online services to help you develop a perfect photo book keepsake. Artifact Uprising offers an array of great options for modern-day digital scrapbooking. 

Get Help
If your post-vacation depression lingers or negatively impacts your life, please seek assistance from a mental health professional. This list is merely a guide and is not a substitute for therapy or other interventions.

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