Tips to relax on holiday

[Pollyannalola]

I am in a very privileged position in that I am going away to Mallorca for 5 days alone next week. I am so so bad at actually relaxing. I want this holiday to be different, I need it to be. I have been so stressed lately, and need some tips how to really and truly enjoy this break.

I find myself often thinking what a perfect holiday looks like. Packing clothes and make up and shoes I don't need or wear. Taking books I don't read because I have my phone and scroll through all the same crap I do at home. Worry about my husband who is fine with me going (he couldn't get the time off) and my elderly father and my dog who doesn't seem too well and I just don't want to waste this opportunity when it wasn't cheap and I've said I really do need it for a mental break from working from home.

Or i think I'm "bored" sitting by a pool or on the beach and take a bus into the city when deep down I think what I need is to be by the water and truly relax. I love city breaks but they are tiring and not what the doctor ordered right now.

Any tips extremely appreciated on how to truly switch off and enjoy my time on this gorgeous island.

Aware also this is a first world problem and I am lucky to get away in these times. Would just love to really make the most of it this time and not just say I will.

Start and finish each day with a meditation session, gets the brain turned off and chilled. Download an app like calm or similiar (or if you have a Fitbit they are already preloaded in the app). I always find after a medication I'm more inclined to stay off the phone and read or chill out properly

This ..or get yourself a colouring book..the ones with intricate patterns. They're good for destressing I find.

https://www.waterstones.com/category/hobbies-quizzes-games/adult-colouring-books

I’d have a rough schedule of what you’re going to do so your not tying yourself up in knots thinking of what to do.
So for example have breakfast followed by a walk or excursion or shopping (also helps to do this when it’s cooler) then lunch followed by a relaxing activity eg spa, treatments, reading (you could take magazines if you find a book too difficult to get into), colouring, listening to music/podcasts. In the evening I’d have dinner, a nice stroll and get in bed and watch a film/series or read on the balcony. Switch your phone off maybe go on it for 30 mins before dinner, but personally I’d keep it on you for safety reasons if travelling alone.

I recently returned from a five day solo trip, I found many ways to relax. I booked three two hour treatments in the spa which were amazing, an epic all day excursion meeting some lovely people and seeing really interesting sights, I went swimming and for a long walk plus shorter beach walks. I also got a cab to a local mall which was cool as different from
our shopping centres.
I enjoyed reading magazines sitting in the bar in the evening as then I could read a short article do a bit of people watching, get another drink and flick through the magazine.
Overall the trip was 10/10 for relaxing and it was such an absolute luxury to only think about myself for five days.

to help keep me off my phone on holiday I always take a puzzle book to do on the beach or by the pool. And enjoy choosing books to download on your kindle/e reader, audiobooks are a good idea too.

Each to their own but a good book or audiobook is very helpful to me and also an app like ‘Calm’ has been excellent. It has soundscapes, guided meditations etc…I put my earbuds in for an hour or so and just play rainforest sounds or similar while getting on with something else. Really helps to give my mind a rest. If you want to be mindful, one way is focusing on the senses so that may help too.

Sounds heavenly, enjoy! I hope your hotel isn’t too noisy but part of mindfulness is working through obstacles!! 🤣🤣 and bringing your mind back gently to the moment.