Self-service: Do away with holiday stress

Just thinking and planning a vacation can create a higher level of happiness. Anticipating a holiday boosts happiness for eight weeks. A holiday makes you feel like a child — set free after gruelling examination schedules. Enjoy these eight weeks. Google everything on the destination and buy a good book. Invest in a Berlitz dictionary. Study each of the places you are going to visit. Learn important phrases in the new language and talk to friends who have been there. Pack light. Make sure all your travel papers and insurance is in order.

About the vacation: Make sure you eliminate all the stress you can avoid. Make sure you are carefully protected from financial uncertainty. Disagreements with a travel partner or illness are the main reasons for increased stress on a holiday. Try to find a helpful contact in the place you are visiting. When you return, keep a couple of days free so that you can de-stress, get over your jet lag and ease into a normal schedule. Get extra help during this time, if you need it. Work should not pile up. Those, who felt very relaxed on their vacation, reported a post vacation level of happiness that lasted for two weeks.

Vacations certainly make people happy and a break always helps. Choose a time when the weather is good. Pick dates when work is slow and alternate arrangements have been made to handle your work during your absence. Vacations are a good time to reflect and plan changes for the future. Keep the pace slow and easy. Have clear contingency plans. Several small trips may be better than one long trip. Talking about it and discussing it with others can enhance your happiness. So happy holidays! Take a break, bond with your family. Make the most of it, and return rejuvenated and full of energy.