By Jenny Hewett
Take the time to truly relax on your next getaway. Credit: Getty Images
This is sponsored content for The Westin Brisbane
There are great holidays, and then there are those rejuvenating escapes that just seem to hit the spot. You feel connected, have slept like a baby, and haven't checked your phone or emails in days.
Most importantly, you finally have the energy to connect and be present with your loved ones.But you don't need all the time in the world to return from a holiday feeling well-rested and relaxed. The right staycation can have the same effect on our wellbeing if we prioritise the things that make us happy and healthy. Here are seven wellness hacks to up the relaxation on your next getaway.
Delete all work-related apps
Checking our phones has become so ingrained in us that we probably do it hundreds of times a day out of habit. Before you leave home, delete any work-related apps from your phone, or move them to the second or third home page screen, so you're less likely to see them. If you're planning on detoxing from social media, turn off notifications for these apps, or delete them temporarily. If your job doesn't pay you to be on call, then don't be.
Give yourself a buffer day
While it may seem like you're maximising your holiday time, going straight into the office the day after you return from a break will likely cause you more stress. Give yourself a buffer day between returning from that getaway and going back to work so that you can catch up on life admin. This will give you time to process your trip and do those menial tasks, such as laundry and groceries, so that you're entering the week refreshed not frazzled.
Choose a tranquil stay
Unwind in style at The Westin Brisbane.Credit: The Westin Brisbane / Justin Nicholas
It pays to be smart about where you sleep. With nourishing breakfasts, nutritious meals, soothing turn-down amenities, and Australia's only Heavenly Spa by Westin, The Westin Brisbane will provide you the space for clarity and connection. Guests who book the sleep-focused Westin Wellness package will enjoy a nurturing 60-minute Heavenly Spa treatment of your choice from a selected range of facials, scrubs and massages.
Plan fewer activities
There's no need to cram your itinerary with sightseeing, shopping or dining (though no judgement here if that's your idea of relaxation). If you tend to be uber organised, try something different and arrive on your break without any plans. Often the most relaxing trips are those where we do very little.That might mean watching the kids jump in the pool, enjoying conversation with your partner or ordering room service and binge-watching your favourite TV series.
Ditch your phone for a book
The best holidays are ones where you can totally disconnect. Credit: Getty Images
Now's the time to finish that novel that's been lying on your bedside table for a year. For the most part, smartphones have made our lives much easier, but they also eat up a lot of our time. Turn your phone off, lock it in the safe and get reading. If, on the other hand, your daily life requires you to do a lot of reading, then listen to an audiobook or a podcast instead.
Catch up on sleep
If you struggle to sleep-in past 6am, then it's time to embrace the siesta. There are many powerful benefits of napping, and according to research, our bodies are programmed to need sleep between 1pm and 3pm every day. Even a short power nap of 20 minutes can boost energy and make you more alert. Set your alarm if you don't want to overdo it or wake up overtired, and BYO eye-mask to further enhance the quality of your afternoon doze.
Book a midday flight
It's a fact that red-eye flights are often cheaper. But think of the emotional and physical energy you'll save when you book a midday or afternoon flight and arrive bright-eyed. Fly at a time that doesn't require you to set an alarm before sunrise or fall asleep on your partner's shoulder in the taxi on the way there and you'll arrive feeling much better for it. If you're flying on a weekday, be mindful of rush-hour so that you avoid getting stuck in traffic.
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