With 37% of people canceling or delaying their vacation plans due to stress, there’s no denying that planning and executing an entire trip can be difficult, or even exhausting. Between day to day life and obligations such as work, it can be hard to make time for planning, or even relaxing during the trip itself. However, there is a way to plan and enjoy a road trip through employing simple techniques, which can make everything much easier.
Plan ahead
When planning a road trip, one of the easiest things you can do to ensure everything goes smoothly is to plan ahead. This includes packing, booking any reservations, and planning where you’re going to stop along the route (plus the route itself) in advance. If you plan on buying or renting a car – or even an RV, doing your research ahead of time can help to ensure you get the best pricing. By planning ahead, you can have everything ready on time and greatly minimize your stress – not to mention you’ll reduce your risks of forgetting something.
The more the merrier
Whether you choose to go on your road trip with family or friends, having travel partners can help. Having them be involved in the planning of the trip can take the stress off of you and make it a more enjoyable process. For example, asking each person where they’d like to visit along the way can easily take the guesswork out of deciding on where to stop. And, during the road trip itself, having loved ones around can help keep your mind off of work and other daily stressors, allowing you to focus on the trip and enjoy yourself.
Put away your phone
With the average person spending 3 hours and 13 minutes on their phones each day, there’s no question that going screen-free on your road trip is a great idea. Staying unplugged can keep your mind off of work and any other distractions like social media. By staying off-line, you’re sure to enjoy the trip and be present in the moment – with the exception of taking pictures, of course. While you should always keep your phone on for emergencies, you can still drastically reduce your screen time by turning off your wifi or data, making it a simple fix for anyone looking to enjoy their trip to the full.
Going on a road trip can not only be a great way to see the sights and connect with nature, but can allow you to spend time with loved ones too – and it doesn’t have to be stressful. By planning ahead, putting away your phone, and inviting others along for the ride, you’re sure to have a relaxing trip away from the office.