Selma Roth Saudi Gazette Summer season is around the corner, and chances are you and your spouse are planning a nice getaway with the family, whether it is a midweek in Dubai or a two-month stay in the States. Only, what is supposed to be a peaceful time with your loved ones is often preceded by a period full of stress at work and at home. Sounds familiar? Read on for Saudi Gazette's tips to spend the last few weeks at work without stress and have a relaxing holiday, so that you come back fully refreshed and rejuvenated! Leaving work at home A stress-free holiday starts with some planning. Not only do you have to think about what to pack and to buy before you leave home, you may also want to complete ongoing tasks and projects at work to make sure you can truly disconnect and return to the office with renewed energy. It is OK to make some overtime to finalize important tasks, but do make sure that you leave your work at home once you are on vacation. That means no email, phone calls, or bringing a laptop to work while being away. If your job really requires you to check your email or make some calls from time to time, limit the time spent on work to one or two hours a day. Pack smart Most people tend to pack way more than they need. This leads to unnecessary stress – you will struggle to carry your heavy luggage along everywhere you go – as well as additional costs for overweight suitcases on airplanes. Remember to pack your passport, credit card, and prescription medications; anything else you forget is always available at your destination, unless you are going to the jungle. It may, however, come in handy to also pack the OTC medications you use if you are not sure you can find the same brands in the country you are traveling to, sunglasses and sunscreen, bug spray, a first-aid kit, and comfortable shoes. Health concerns Talking about prescription medications, make sure to have enough for the entire time you are planning to stay abroad, which may mean an extra visit to your doctor. For some destinations, it is good to have a medical passport with all the medications you are taking in the native language of that country. Also, check what the immunization requirements are for the country you are going to, such as a hepatitis shot, yellow fever vaccination, or malaria tablets. Plan this ahead: the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise to schedule a visit to your doctor or travel medicine clinic four to six weeks before an international trip. Take time off before traveling Ideally, you would want your vacation to start one or two days before you are traveling. In that case you have enough time to pack you own luggage, that of your children, and do some last-minute purchases for your trip. Besides, it gives you the chance to get in the vacation mood and start your journey in the right state of mind. If you cannot afford this luxury, make sure you start packing about a week ahead to prevent last-minute packing stress. During this last week at work, plan as few meetings and deadlines as possible. Instead, carry out some routine tasks, organize your workspace, and have only low-key gatherings. Stay fit before your trip… With all the travel planning, shopping and packing involved, it may be tempting to forego the exercise, healthy eating, and hitting the sack on time. However, to start your holidays off on a good note it is indispensable to stay fit prior to your travels. After all, you don't want to risk getting sick as a result of low resistance, and a trip is often already taxing enough on your system. It's more, taking off with a sleep deficit leads in the best case to irritability and short-temperedness, but in the worst case it causes impaired functioning and puts yourself at risk of injury, especially when a jet lag or light sleep in an unfamiliar environment adds up to this. Thus, try to continue going to your aerobics class, eat your vitamins, and sleep those 7 to 8 hours a day for a stress-free holiday. … but also while traveling! The previous tips are just as essential prior to your trip as once you are hitting the road. Make sure to drink plenty of water, particularly when traveling by airplane, to prevent dehydration. Pack some healthy snacks to help resist the temptation of fast-food joints at terminals or roadside snack bars. Think of fruits, chopped up vegetables, nuts, whole-wheat crackers, and healthy spreads like hummus. For long journeys, it is also important to keep moving; immobility for extensive periods of time can lead to serious health problems including deep vein thrombosis. To prevent this and less severe health issues like stiff muscles, keep your blood flowing by doing the following exercises: roll your neck to stretch tired neck muscles, roll your shoulders in circular motions and up and down, roll your wrists and ankles, stretch your thighs and calves, and take a stroll once an hour. Happy travels!
