Vacation state of mind

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Ever come back from a vacation feeling like you need another one to recover? We’ve all been there, and this week on Bite of Balance, we’re tackling this exact dilemma. Learn how detailed lists and a flexible mindset can transform your family vacation from chaotic to carefree. Discover how embracing the chaos can lead to the most memorable moments of your trip.  Say goodbye to post-vacation blues and hello to extending those vacation vibes a little longer. Plus, we tackle the modern challenge of truly unplugging from work. Find out how to set tech boundaries and prioritize what’s truly urgent, so you can come back from your trip refreshed rather than frazzled. Tune in for all this and more, and keep that vacation bliss alive!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
What's up everyone?
This is Bite of Balance, yourweekly snack-sized therapy
session.
I'm your host, teresa, andtoday's bite is all about
needing a vacation from yourvacation.
I know you all know thatfeeling I'm talking about.

(00:20):
You're super excited for allthe rest, you're going to get on
vacation, but then you comeback only to feel like you need
a vacation from the stresses ofthe vacation you just went on.
See how nuts that is.
Yeah, that constant loop is theabsolute worst.
So let's freaking get into thehighlights from our latest
episode and sprinkle in someactionable tips to keep that

(00:42):
vacation glow lasting just alittle bit longer.
So when Christine and I got intothis, we really talked about
pre-trip planning and how itreally is a game changer and I
know that game changer verbiageis such a cliche, but it really
does make a difference when youpre-trip plan.
We cannot stress this enough.

(01:03):
How you prepare before you evenleave can make all the
difference.
Christine shared her secretsauce for reducing pre-trip
stress, which is planning ahead.
This means not just packing,but also organizing all the
little things that could tripyou up later, which is huge,
especially if you're planning atrip for an entire family.

(01:24):
Which is huge, especially ifyou're planning a trip for an
entire family.
So we suggest make a list a fewweeks in advance.
Cover the essentials and giveyourself plenty of time to
remember and include any lastminute items.
So what I started to do for mykids since we travel with two
kids I take two days for eachkid and I make a list and then
allow myself a couple days toremember anything I have

(01:45):
forgotten.
Then, when I feel like I'm donewith the first kid, I move on
to the second kid and if I allowmyself days to remember what I
missed most of the times, I'mgoing to slowly but surely add
everything I need to the listfor them and then I can go over
it right before we leave On toour next point mindset.
Mindset matters when it comes toenjoying a vacation.

(02:08):
You need to be flexible andadaptable.
What I mean by this is vacationplans are great, but being too
rigid can set you up fordisappointment.
You have so many differentvariables when you're traveling,
especially as a family.
You have your kids, you haveyour weather and you have your
own energy levels, which canthrow a wrench into the best

(02:28):
laid plans.
So if you adopt a flexiblemindset, have backup activities
ready and remember it's okay ifeverything doesn't go perfectly.
Embrace the chaos, but have aplan, because sometimes the
unplanned moments are actuallythe most memorable.
I'll never forget when we wentto the Outer Banks as a family

(02:50):
and we did not plan for this atall it rained every single day.
Who wants to enjoy rain everysingle day at the Outer Banks?
That vacation really made melearn okay, we need to have a
backup plan in case we don'thave beautiful weather.
Because what happened on thatvacation because we were not
prepared is we wound up spendingit inside the entire week and

(03:13):
by the time we got back we werelike what the hell was that trip
?
What did we spend all thatmoney for?
We basically just sat insidefor a week.
So when I tell you havingbackup activities planned is
huge, I'm not even kidding.
Next, transition gracefully backto reality.
This is a big one and, I think,one that people don't really

(03:35):
think often about.
The post-vacation blues arereal.
They actually happen.
For me, once vacation isstarting to end, I start to get
sad that I'm actually going backto my normal life.
Christine highlighted theimportance of giving yourself a
buffer day between getting homeand jumping right back into the
grind.
Use this day to unpack, dolaundry, get groceries, so

(03:57):
you're not hit with a doublewhammy of vacation exhaustion
and regular life chaos as soonas you get back.
A little preparation on thetail end of your trip can help
smooth your transition back toreality and actually extend your
vacation feelings.
And here is another one that Ithink is really difficult for
people Can I really unplug Now?
We all struggle with trulydisconnecting, especially when

(04:19):
our work is always within arm'sreach on our phones.
So here is a quick tool to helpyou set boundaries with
technology on your next vacation.
Prioritize your time, decidewhat's truly urgent and what can
actually wait, because thingscan wait.
We are just so used to instantgratification.
Set specific times to checkyour email or messages and stick

(04:41):
to them.
Next, communicate yourboundaries.
Let your travel companions knowwhen you'll be off the grid and
explain why it's important foryour mental health and family
bonding.
Likewise, inform colleagues orclients about your availability
and set an out-of-office message.
I swear that sounds so oldschool, but it still is

(05:01):
necessary.
Set that out-of-office message,but it still is necessary.
Set that out of office message.
Next, use technology wisely.
Utilize apps that limit screentime or set up automatic
responses for emails.
This helps you stay accountableand reduces the temptation to
constantly check your phone.
Remember the goal is to bepresent and soak up every bit of
your well-deserved break.

(05:22):
So that's a wrap for today'smini episode.
We hope these insights and tipshelp you enjoy your next
vacation and return feelingtruly recharged.
Don't forget to share yourvacation stories and tips with
us on social media, because welove hearing from you.
Until next time, keep thrivingand remember you're always fine,
I'm out.