Many of us invest valuable time, energy and money in planning our vacations.
Vacations help us perform better at work, improve our sleep quality and cushion
us against depression.
Yet, despite these benefits, many of us return home with a feeling that our last vacation
was ok-but not great. In order to change this, some mistakes should be avoided.
A classic one for vacation planners is attempting to maximize value for money by planning
trips that have too many components. Hopping from one place to the next hardly gives an
opportunity to experience what psychologists call mindfulness-time to take in our new
surroundings, time to be present and absorb our travel experiences.
Another mistake is that we worry too much about strategic issues such as how to find a good
flight deal, or which destinations to add or subtract from our journey. These issues may seem
important, but our psychological state of mind is far more important.
Actually, vacation happiness is based on the following top rules. First, choose your travel
companions wisely, because nothing contributes more significantly to a trip than the right
companions.
Second, don't spend your vacation time in a place where everything is too expensive so as to
maintain a positive mood.
Third, shop wisely, for meaningful experiences provide more long-term happiness than
physical possessions.