Ready for Part 3 of our series on How To Relax on Vacation? This final segment suggests 10 tips to maintain the vacation vibe after returning home. Be sure to see Part 1: 10 Ways to Prepare for a Relaxing Vacation at Jubilee Suites with great tips Jim and I have learned the hard way about how to get ready to go on vacation… so when you’re finally there, you’re already relaxed and prepared to jump in. Part 2: 10 Ways to Relax on Vacation at Jubilee Suites is all about finding activities that help you unwind and enjoy your time away from your daily routine. At Jubilee Suites, we love to help you do that. Don't hesitate to ask us to help you plan an itinerary that makes the most of your time with us.
When you get home, to be sure, we are all tempted to jump right back into the life we left before vacation. SO much to catch up on! SO much to do! We're here to say, let it go for a few days. Savor the relaxed and refreshed feeling you worked so hard to attain. Here are some of our favorite ways to keep the vacation spirit alive:
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- Come Home a Day Early: I'm sure this sounds counter-intuitive, but when we've spent our last day of vacation traveling home and hurriedly unpacking, sorting the mail, doing laundry, and all the other things we do when we get home from vacation... only to have to go to work the next day, we miss out on so many of the lasting benefits of our vacation. Why not give yourself at least a day at home to slowly unpack, savor the rejuvenation, and avoid the rush of getting back to your routine?
Create a Photo Album: One of the first things to do is move your vacation photos to create a digital album you can browse through when you want to reminisce. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even create videos and slide shows to show friends and family all the fun you had. Share a few on social media and be sure to tag us on Facebook or Instagram.
- Write a Travel Journal: Journaling is another way to keep your memories alive. I know I always come home with new revelations about things when I take the time on vacation to slow down and think. If you've kept a journal during your trip, add a final chapter. Continue journaling about the positive aspects of your vacation and the memorable experiences you had. It's priceless to go back a year or more later and relive some of your best memories and relearn lessons from yourself!
Bring Home Souvenirs: Did you bring back a local t-shirt, a piece of art, a new book, a Jubilee Suites robe (available in our lobby store), a recipe from Jim, some special rocks or driftwood from our Mobile Bay beach? We love to support local talent and especially local art since Fairhope is a haven for creatives of all genres. Ask for a tour of our in-house art, most of which is for sale, and consider taking a piece home for a souvenir. Display all the treasures from your trip to serve as reminders of your vacation.
- Incorporate Vacation Food: If you brought back local products like wine from Provision, candy from Fairhope Chocolate, or delicious Fairhope Coffee beans, savor them slowly to extend the taste of your vacation. Try cooking dishes you enjoyed during your vacation or find local restaurants that serve similar cuisine. Jim and I have done this when we come back from trips. See his crumpet recipe he adapted after our trip to Seattle.
Develop or Maintain Relaxation Rituals: Try to incorporate elements of your vacation into your daily life, such as setting a goal to be more relaxed, adventurous, mindful or stress-free in your daily life. If you developed relaxation rituals on your vacation, like meditation or yoga, put one or two of those into practice right now before you forget. If you enjoyed our sound machines in each bedroom, consider apps such as Calm to add white noise to your bedtime routine. Many of our guests tell us one of the best parts of their stay at Jubilee Suites is gathering around the firepit in the evening to watch the sunset. Simple rhythms like these can help keep the vacation vibe going.
Stay Active: Many people like to kick-start their workout routines when they come to Jubilee Suites. It's easy to get off-track at home and for some people, vacation is a good time to get back to more healthy habits. We offer all kinds of fitness activities for our so-inclined guests. Continue to engage in physical activities you enjoyed during your vacation, such as hiking, swimming, biking or even going to the gym. And it's easy to take 5 minutes to stretch, walk around the block or even lift some hand weights while breathing deeply. Even a few minutes can be a healthy way to clear out any stress.
- Plan Mini-Adventures: Keep the vacation mode going! Plan your next weekend to explore your local area by going on a day trip, a hike, or discovering a new place you've been interested in seeing. Be open to new experiences and spontaneity in your daily routine, just as you were on vacation. Pick something you've been putting off, grab a friend, and do it next weekend.
Plan Your Next Trip: If you’re like us, there’s never enough time to do it all on vacation. Keep in touch with any new friends you met during your trip, fostering connections and potential future visits. Make a list of the activities and experiences you’d like to do next time you come to Jubilee Suites in Fairhope, AL, and make a tentative plan. Having something to look forward to can maintain your vacation spirit. See some ideas here.
- Read More About Fairhope, AL: We love books and we love to support local authors, so you'll find many of our favorites in your suite. If you decided to purchase your own copies from our lobby store, or at the Page and Palette bookstore, now is the time to start reading one of them. Learn more about the history, culture, and local attractions of Fairhope, AL to deepen your connection. Also check out our YouTube channel for two different series by local historians and authors, Alan Samry and Dean Mosher.
By trying some of these strategies, you can prolong the positive effects of your vacation and maintain a sense of well-being and adventure in your everyday life. Be sure to tell your friends and family about our luxury accommodations at Jubilee Suites and our charming town of Fairhope, AL. (We feel so fortunate to live here.) We'd love to meet them and you again next year!
Dana and Jim Maloney
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