If you’re looking to truly unwind while you’re away on holiday, then the idea of taking along a small piece of your home life with you might appeal. After all, we spend countless hours designing our home environments so that they support our efforts to relax, and ideally, we’d recreate that environment when we’re away.
In many cases, bringing home comforts with you is a matter of following a few simple principles. Let’s consider some of the more effective ones.
Recreate your nighttime routine
If you’re sleeping in an unfamiliar environment, it can be difficult to settle down – especially in cases where jet lag is a factor. You might try adjusting your sleep pattern in advance, or bringing along a number of special aids to help you settle down. Your own pillowcase, a box of herbal tea, and a selection of quality LED candles can all contribute to the vibe you need.
Add a touch of atmosphere
It might be that you can adjust your accommodation to make it feel reminiscent of your home. This might be a matter of adjusting the lighting to match what you’re used to, or bringing along familiar scents, and a playlist. These things can help to take the edge off any homesickness you might be experiencing.
Keep little rituals going
If you can preserve your daily routine, then you won’t have to go to the trouble of adapting to a new one. This might mean taking breakfast at the same time, every day, enjoying your coffee from home, or spending an hour reading before you settle down for the night. If you intend to keep up an exercise routine while you’re away, then you might make sure that you find a place to jog that roughly matches the environment you’re used to.
Don’t pack the whole house
It’s important to bear in mind the mental cost of overpacking. If you have dozens of items to keep track of, then you might end up stressed out over the prospect of losing them – and you’ll have more luggage to deal with. For this reason, it’s worth focusing on those items that really make a difference. Pick out a selection of three or four personal items, and leave everything else behind. If you find that you miss something, then you can always make room for it on subsequent trips.
