Vacations are meant to detach us from our daily routine, from our work and the stress it usually brings. We visit amazing places, bask in the tropical sun or enjoy skiing down some magnificent mountain. This all sounds too good and the reality is often quite different.
Out of habit, we travel to overcrowded, popular tourist destinations which, although beautiful, have become just another hectic activity. Fast food, night clubs and pollution have become ever present and, instead of enjoying our moments of well deserved peace and quiet, we limit ourselves to kids of experiences we could have had back home during the weekend.
We should have our time off work, without having to worry about every tiny little detail all the time, while being able to rest and clear our minds. This can be achieved, it just takes a little preparation, common sense and inspiration, which you will hopefully find in this post.
Be One With Nature
Have we forgotten the purpose of going to a secluded, beautiful natural site? Many locations are overexploited, but there are numerous other outstanding and undiscovered nature reserves we yet have to visit. For this kind of vacation we have to do some planning. First of all, we need to choose a spot that is close to civilisation, but has an area that is suitable for camping and hiking. Secondly, we should remember to pack a tent, sleeping bags, pots for cooking and basically anything needed for a camping trip.
While on this kind of vacation, people usually enjoy hiking every day and exploring the flora and fauna of the location. The green color of a forest or the clean air of a mountain can do wonders for our health. Living free of toxins is something that we as humans have forgotten about entirely. Eating light food, ignoring cigarettes and alcohol, in combination with exercise and the healing potential of the setting will empower us to continue with our daily struggles much stronger than before.
Cycle The Stress Away
We usually tend to bring a lot of stuff on our vacations. Some of us more than necessary. Yet, is somehow not common practice to bring our bicycles with us. You can mount your bike on a car, fold it or even ship it to the desired location. Once you have it with you, you will notice how much simpler and more beautiful your whole vacation experience can be.
There would no longer be a need for renting a cab or going on an overcrowded bus. These are things that we do in our home towns anyway. Cycling lets you intimately explore the city or town you are staying in, as you ride along its cute little streets and corners. Additionally, cycling will give you just the kind of exercise you need to feel good while on vacation. There are a lot of bike-friendly cities out there, so make sure you try this and get your blood pumping for the purpose of higher enjoyment.
Underwater Meditation
Scuba diving, freediving and snorkeling are the ultimate stress relieving activities. The benefits of these are countless. First of all, you get a full body workout while swimming and breathing. Your body will tighten in a matter of days and your breathing pathways will clear up, making for better mood and physical condition. Secondly, the underwater world is mesmerizing. Observing the colorful corals and fish will rest your mind and make you forget about the daily routine of work and stress.
If you never before went scuba-diving, now is the time to try. Do not be afraid to take on a new challenge, as there are a lot of dive centers that offer lessons for first-timers. Pick a center which has professional staff, check if they are PADI certified and just let go to the wonders of this unusual sport. Being underwater is like being in space, or at least closest to such an experience. Weightlessness is generally soothing and makes you relaxed, calm and peaceful- all of which are critical to your health condition.
Health Resorts And Spas
If you are looking to go on an intensively healthy vacation, meaning that you need a more effective rehabilitation plan, look no further than a health resort or a spa. These kinds of places are completely out of this world, because when you visit such a place, you get the feeling that time stopped. A truly meditative and relaxing experience is just what you need if you lead a fast-paced life. Visiting a spiritual retreat will get you back on track, clear your mind and rest your soul.
Massages, having a bath in a luxurious hot tub and healthy food that spas usually offer are things for kings and queens. So, instead of going to a heavily populated seaside town, opt for something that will help you and your health in the long run. Going to a spa is truly rejuvenating experience.
These are just some of the things you can do other than going on a typical, stressful vacation. Whether you plan on going all natural, or want to spend money on a truly exclusive experience, both options are much better than indulging in fast food, swimming in dirty waters, breathing in polluted air, or just stressing out because of the noise of countless night clubs. These kinds of things can be fun, but what makes life worth living is having an abundance of different kinds of experiences that will make you happier and healthier.
If you think about it, almost every year, providing you regularly go on vacation, most of us tend to choose the same or similar places to travel to. Instead, we should focus on the less explored, more secluded parts of the undiscovered world which will in turn give us the energy to go on with our, often times, difficult existence. I recommend you try, at least once, to really rest on a vacation and only then will you know for yourself the meaning of peacefulness.
Oscar Waterworth is a writer from Sydney, Australia. A father of two and a working man, he somehow manages to find the time to write up an occasional blog post. In his free time he likes to travel, play futsal and build stuff with his kids.
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