8 Simple Rules… To Preparing For The Holiday Season

That time of year is upon us again and whether you’ve got a big trip awaiting you soon or are holding off until the holiday season rush is over to get your travels in, a little preparation is in order! Here are 8 Simple Rules to help get you ready for the holiday season!

1.  PLAN, PLAN, PLAN! Unless your plan is pure sunbathing by the pool or sea, then organising your holiday takes some serious planning. If you’re the adventurous type and you’re off on holiday where there is a lot to do, make sure you’ve planned ahead, booked things in advance and organise when you will do certain things. Last year I travelled the west coast of America, and our first stop was San Francisco, which is not only famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, but also is popular for seeing Alcatraz. In order to visit Alcatraz Island, at  peak season, who would have had to of booked 4 months in advance! No tickets on the door I’m afraid! But if you’re travelling, it’s good to know where you’re going and what you need in advance.

2.  Be smart about spending. No doubt you’ve scanned around for the cheapest flights and best hotel deals prior to booking. But closer to your departure, save the pennies a little. Particularly for people that go to work, going on holiday is something that one really looks forward to, so you want to enjoy yourself and have minimal money constraints. That doesn’t mean to say you shouldn’t be safe with your money whilst away. Always take a credit card, as you will be covered for larger purchases, and my tip is to get a travel money card (which you can get from your local post office) and top it up before you leave and even whilst on holiday and use that for non-chargeable transactions.

3. Get the things you need. Going somewhere hot and sunny? You need SPF! Sun screen or lotion is there to protect you, even whilst you’re still trying to get a tan! Make sure you pack enough and take after-sun or aloe vera in case you get a little burnt on holiday. Stock up on your travel sized items, shampoos, toothpaste, shower gel and much more. Check out my travel checklist here to see what I like to take away with me! Even get yourself a Travalo (love these things) for your perfume. Remember the weight limit of your suitcase so you want to eliminate heavy items. Prioritise what you need before the extras that you want to take with you.

4. Adjust your body clock. This particularly applies if you are travelling long haul and going somewhere with a different time zone. A few days before your travel, particularly the day and night, try to adjust your body clock so that you fit in well with your destination. No one wants to think about coming home after a gorgeous holiday, but do the same for the way back. Eat meals and sleep according to the local time at your destination to avoid jet lag. Set your wake up times to adjust, and seek light in order to coordinate your body clock. The light allows your body to adjust to waking periods. If you take medication on a strict schedule then seek advice from your doctor.

5. Get the relevant vaccines. This is important for many destinations of travel including some that might surprise you. Two recommended sites to check out for information is:

·         NHS Fit For Travel
·         National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)

It’s important to make sure you’re vaccinated against any threats local to your destination.

6. Prepare a travel kit with the essentials. By this I mean pack things that are needed in an emergency, and not your eyeliner (although some might consider this an emergency- *guilty*). A first aid kit is always handy as you never know what you can come in contact with. And the odd plaster is good for any cuts you get slipping whiist running poolside (not advised). My travel first aid kit can be found here.

7. Exercise and drink plenty of water. Before you travel, whatever you plan on doing whilst away, prepare physically. You want to be in a fit healthy state to not only travel to reach your destination, but also cope whilst away. Most people from the UK tend to holiday somewhere hot in the summer to compensate for our lack of it here, so it is wise to prepare for the heat by keeping well hydrated and nourished and to keep a little fitter to keep up energy levels. Wherever youre going, this is important, if not to keep healthy, but to maintain that bikini bod!

8. Relax! Chill out, you’re off on holiday!! Most people are rushing around beforehand in order to prepare and consider their holiday as downtime. Nothing wrong with that, but just be sure to wind down before you leave to keep yourself from feeling run down. Get plenty of rest before you go to prepare for your travels, so that you are feeling at your peak when you arrive ready to enjoy your holiday!

Enjoy the holidays!

Love Nimisha
xoxo