Tips To Stress-Free Holidays

• Don't be too ambitious when planning your holiday. Don't allow what should be a relaxing, regenerative experience to turn into a major challenge.

• Do plenty of homework to make sure you choose the holiday that’s right for you - all of you, if you are going on holiday as a family or in a group. With many people now taking at least two holidays a year, the holiday business is one of the boom industries, and there is a wealth of holidays to choose from. But being literally spoiled for choice means you also need to choose extra-carefully. For example, if you have young children with you, you need to find out if there will be good facilities for them. If an outward- bound, adventure type of holiday attracts you, you need to be sure that you are lit enough to undertake it pleasurably. If you are not naturally gregarious, you  need to think carefully about going on a cruise, however attractive the itinerary sounds. If you are looking after a family all year, a self- catering holiday may not be enough of a break, and so on.

• Ideally, get a personal recommendation on the hotel or other accommodation you may opt for.

• Going to the same place every year may not sound exciting, but many people, especially those with young families, find the familiarity and informality of such an arrangement offers the best way of achieving a stress-free, relaxing holiday.

• Book the holiday through a travel agent you know and trust.

• Be sure to take out proper insurance and make sure you understand the small print detailing exactly what it covers. Illness or accident on holiday, stressful in itself, will be more so if you find you are not adequately covered by insurance.

• Allow yourself plenty of time to obtain visas, inoculation certificates, or whatever documents are necessary - getting these can take longer than you might expect.

• Make sure you also order currency and traveler's cheques in plenty of time before your departure.

• Make a list of the special holiday items you will need, and allow yourself plenty of time to buy these.

• Try to learn at least a few useful phrases of the language of the country you will be visiting.

• Ensure a stress-free journey by making sure that you can carry your luggage easily, and take one hold-all or case rather than an awkward assortment of smaller bags. Make a habit of traveling as light as you possibly can. Make sure, too, that you are packed in advance - say the night before departure - to avoid stressful, last-minute panics.

• If you are traveling in your own car, make sure it has been serviced, before setting out, and that you have an international driving license if you need one.

• If you are traveling by air or train, allow yourself enough time to get to the airport or station comfortably.

• Ensure peace of mind on holiday by making sure that all is properly taken care of at home.

• Have you arranged for the dog or cat to go into kennels?

• Have outstanding bills been paid? (There’s nothing to send the blood pressure soaring like coming back from holiday to a pile of red final reminder notices.)

• Have milk and papers been cancelled?

• Have arrangements been made for watering the garden and house plants?

• Have you left a note of your itinerary and contact telephone number with a relative or trustworthy friend or neighbor?

• Have you turned oil all appliances, lights and taps?

• Have doors and windows been securely locked on leaving the house?

• To avoid stressful disappointments on holidays, go prepared for contingencies. If you are expecting constant sunshine but it rains non-stop instead, you will be able to cope better if you go well supplied with the reading you've been trying to catch up on all year, and plenty of games for the children.

• On your return from an enjoyable and relaxing holiday, don't immediately undo all the benefits by rushing back into work, however strong the temptation may be when you're faced with piles of mail and strings of messages. It is so much better to pace yourself back into your job gradually if you can.

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