How to Make the Most of Your Vacation Leave

“Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane, I don’t know when I’ll be back again.”

That’s the song I play over and over as I am excited awaiting leave for my next vacation. Of course, I always know exactly when I’ll be back, but it’s a fun thought I have in my head. As a nurse, I often have a love-hate relationship with my job. I enjoy working with people but the hours and the workload can really wear me down. Nonetheless, when I finally get a vacation, there’s a few things I do to make the most of my time. Here’s what I do:

How to Make the Most of Your Vacation Leave

Never Over Schedule

If you’re like me, the whole work-life routine has been broken down to microscopic level details. For my vacation, I try not to do that.

Vacations are meant to be relaxing and stress-free. The last thing you want to do is force your experience to a tight list of tasks and activities that you may not end up enjoying. Let there be a little spontaneity in your days away from work.

Be Prepared

While I tend to be a little carefree when I go on vacation, I also make sure that I am prepared. I always do a quick check and research about the places I intend to go to so I can bring along a few extra items to increase my comfort and focus more on me.

If I’m going outdoors, I’ll always bring sunscreen and mosquito repellant. There are a few other essentials I have packed away, but it all depends on where I’m going and what I’m doing. It’s nice to bring these from home instead of panicking and searching for overpriced stores to buy these somewhere else.

Have a Bucket List

Whenever I go on vacation, I always create a bucket list. My thinking is that, I may never return to this place again, so I HAVE TO make the most of my experience.

Before I depart, I have a little notebook filled with all the places I want to visit. Then, after arriving, I check as many off as I can.

Go to the Spa

A personal pleasure that I always enjoy on vacation is locating the best spa in the area and enjoying an entire day there. Even though I wear the best shoes for nurses on their feet all day, my feet are always sore after those long shifts. As a special treat for myself, I always go for a massage and deep tissues cleansing when I’m on my vacation.