Our desire to take a break from routine extends beyond just our nine-to-five jobs and early-morning workout classes, but in today’s fast-paced and plugged-in world, switching off and allowing our minds and bodies to totally relax on holiday is no easy feat.

Those daily habits and behaviours that we unknowingly carry with us, while maybe being necessary to keep ourselves organised and on the ball at work, might actually be hindering our ability to switch off and relax on holiday. 

Because let’s be frank, if you’re going to use up a few weeks of your hard-earned annual leave, splash some cash on a good quality dog-sitter, and go to the painstaking trouble of curating the perfect European summer wardrobe, you certainly don't want to spend your time in the French Riviera pulling your hair out over a missed itinerary item or a budgetting mishap.

So, what are the everyday habits we should try our best to leave out when packing for a trip?

#1. Overplanning

When you’ve invested in long-haul flights, nice accommodation during peak travel season, and are using up the majority of your annual leave, it’s natural to want to fit in as many experiences into your holiday as possible. 

But if you asked anyone, waking up at the crack of dawn to fit in a sunrise hike, breakfast date, and shopping session (all before boarding a flight to another location to do it all again), hardly sounds relaxing. 

Take each day in your stride, allow for breaks, and get comfortable with the fact that you simply won’t be able to see and do everything in one single trip – you’ll have to leave a few stones unturned for your next visit.  

#2. Having an itinerary-or-else mindset

As a Type A planner, I am guilty of putting together an extensive itinerary of places to visit, restaurants to try and travel schedules (to the minute), which understandably can drive my partner crazy at times. 

And while it’s important to embark on any adventure with purpose, focusing too much on where you should be and when you should be there will only leave you feeling like you’re constantly chasing your holiday rather than experiencing it. 

And as anyone who’s had to deal with lost baggage, delayed flights and confusing street signs knows, there are plenty of unforeseen challenges that come with travelling, so patience and flexibility are a must.

#3. Underplanning

While overplanning your trip to a tee is a recipe for disaster (and disappointment), boarding a long-haul flight with no plan at all can be equally stress-inducing.

If you’re heading into an area of the globe that is known for being a travel hotspot, it’s worth doing a little research to avoid falling for overpriced and inauthentic tourist traps. Because when you’re tired and hangry from walking around Rome all day, and without an inkling of an idea as to where to eat, you’re likely to settle for the touristy restaurant with English menus and waiters pulling you in from the street. And trust us, you certainly won’t find the world’s best Carbonara there. 

We’re not saying you need to map out your entire day, but simply planning an area to explore ahead of time, or having a few restaurant options on your radar (with a flexible attitude, of course) will allow you to feel more in control of your travels.

#4. Staying too connected 

From work emails to group chat plans, constantly checking your phone or devices will pull you out of your present moment surroundings and straight back into the go-go-go momentum you booked your trip to escape from.  

While the subject line (and Linda from Accounts’ tone) might scream URGENT, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to solve any issues from your beachside daybed, Aperol in hand. 

And the same goes for non-work-related comms. Before you reach to check on the group chat’s thorough Love Island debrief, think about whether or not your time could be better spent engaging in your surroundings. Life will always continue to tick along, so in order to give your body and brain a well-earned rest, you’ll occasionally have to forcefully remove yourself from distracting email chains and group chats.

#5. Ditching your necessary self-care habits

While travelling is all about embracing new experiences and giving ourselves a break from day-to-day responsibilities, there are some habits and behaviours you wouldn’t benefit from ditching altogether. 

Self-care, in whatever form you practice it, is important to keep up, even on seemingly luxurious and relaxing trips away. From your go-to six-step skincare routine to daily movement, ditching the habits that make you feel whole for the duration of your time away will probably just leave you feeling out of whack (and with a few unwanted breakouts).

Instead, find ways to incorporate your favourite self-care practices into your holiday plans, such as substituting your early-morning workouts for long walks around whatever city you’re visiting.

#6. Overindulging for the sake of it

Just because people in movies spend their holidays knocking back cocktails and partying through the night doesn’t mean that’s the only way to do things.  

If you’re not someone who usually enjoys drinking alcohol, eating copious amounts of food, and hitting the clubs until the early morning, don’t try to reinvent yourself on holiday for the sake of it. 

We’re lucky enough to be living in a time where wellness and health-conscious travel have intersected with mainstream tourism, meaning there are countless ways to explore the corners of the globe without stressing out your liver.