Studies reveal how to plan the perfect vacation. Here's how

Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 2:00 PM - The final weeks of summer are fading fast, but new research says you still have time to take advantage of the season and plan the perfect vacation.

Experts have been looking at the ingredients needed to plan the perfect holiday -- one that boosts a sense of well-being, positively impacts our health by reducing stress, and recharges our inner batteries before we head back to work.

Studies observed 54 people who took vacation, including a mix of 'staycation-style' holidays and trips abroad, for an average of 23 days.

And while most of us rarely have the opportunity to get away for that length of time, study findings suggest that time isn't always the most important factor when it comes to planning your best holiday ever.

Here are the necessary ingredients to plan your next, best vacation.

Enjoy the planning process

Research has found that the time before and after a vacation can be just as important as the holiday itself.

Remember the last trip you took, and chances are, you were happier before you left compared to when you got back.

Planning a trip, from deciding when and where to go to imaging yourself far from home, can often bring greater emotional rewards than the memories that will linger once the holiday is over.

Savouring the anticipation and excitement of the planning process can actually put you in a more positive frame of mind, starting your holiday on a happy note.

In a study by the University of Colorado at Boulder, researchers compared the anticipation before a holiday to the reflection after one. They found study participants experienced greater satisfaction and more intense emotions during the former stage.

Experience somewhere new

Visiting a city, country or continent you've never been to before is undeniably exciting. There is ample opportunity to learn about different cultures and locales while experiencing them first-hand.

If this kind of trip is not an option, you don't have to go far to gain new holidays experiences. It's not about where you go as much as what you do.

Exposing yourself to something new while on vacation inspires excitement and mental stimulation, as opposed to revisiting a familiar spot or experience.

A staycation is the perfect opportunity to explore new activities close to home, while doing wonders for your mental health and well-being. Not to mention local geography.

Timing is everything

The length of the ideal vacation is often up for debate. A weekend getaway can be nice, but who doesn't love the sound of a month-long holiday abroad?

People experience a rapid increase in health and well-being about two days into their vacation, according to Dr. Jessica de Bloom, a researcher from the University of Tampere in Finland. On longer holidays, these feelings typically peak on the eight day of vacation, before they start to decline. While one researcher found the holiday sweet spot to be at eight days, other study participants believe nine is just as good.

There are also definite benefits to taking shorter, more frequent breaks from your everyday routine. "Holidays work more like sleep," Dr. de Bloom. "You need regular recovery from work in order to stay healthy in the long run."

Unplug and unwind

Smartphones and mobile devices may have made life more convenient in many ways, but technology has made it harder to break away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.

Vacations are an important part of a healthy lifestyle, helping to reduce the risk of heart attacks and depression, as well as relieving stress. But those positive impacts could be compromised if you're unwilling to free yourself from familiar stress triggers, such as work.

Do your brain and your body good -- turn off the phone and alarm, leave the iPad at home and enjoy your time away from work.

If you're worried about what you'll miss while you're away, keep in mind that research shows regular vacations can lead to improved work performance and creativity.

Go out on a high note

Findings show that people remember a vacation based largely on how it ends.

So if you're planning to do something special, such as a big night out, do it towards the end of your holiday.

Ease back into your routine

After time away, the first day back can be brutal. Waking up early, readjusting to a work routine, wearing pants.

Researchers suggest coming back to the job in the middle of the week and avoiding long work hours to ease yourself back in to the daily grind. A survey of about 130 teachers in Germany found that reduced work hours and making time for leisure after work prolonged the benefits of time away, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Organizational Behaviour.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal

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