Why is it always the case that a week’s holiday away never actually feels like a week away? Time moves fast when you’re having fun, but it really seems to save its energy for the bigger things – resulting in a holiday that invariably feels much shorter than it really should.
There’s science to this, of course, albeit not the science you might be expecting. It’s not strictly true that time flies when you’re having fun; rather, it is mundanity, familiarity and routine that speed our perception of time. Still, holidays can go fast simply for the fact we’re not watching the clock for once. Besides which, there’s evidence to suggest that dopamine can accelerate our perception of time as a by-product of feeling happy.
Still, none of this necessarily soothes the soul when a hard-fought week of rest and relaxation is on the line. So, what can one do, practically, to make a week away last longer in the moment, and in the mind? Let’s find out.
Lower The Pressure To See And Do Everything
First, a counterintuitive lesson from me to you: do less on your holiday. While it’s true that new experiences engage the brain more, make more memories and slow your present perception of time, it’s possible to fail in your attempts to ‘game’ that particular biochemical system.
By cramming your daily itinerary, you’re effectively adding tasks to a to-do list and ticking them off, as opposed to really, genuinely engaging with your environment. Doesn’t that sound stressful? Instead, then, you might leave space each day to really luxuriate in the pursuits you’ve picked for yourself. Instead of rushing from landmark to landmark, spend an afternoon at just one – and drink it all in.
Choose Accommodation That Supports How You Want To Spend Time
You can take this same intentionality and apply it to the more essential aspects of your holiday, too – more specifically, your accommodation. Staying in the right place can change the rhythm of your holiday completely, especially if it enables you to relax more in the process. A villa in Spain presents so many possibilities for R&R, a world apart from bustling resort hotels that can inspire the wrong kinds of routine. Having that space, and that privacy, creates more flexibility for you as well as a lower-effort approach to planning your days.
Build Days Around Natural Energy Patterns
Another big mistake people make when living out their holiday dreams is neglecting themselves. This isn’t just with respect to things like hunger (easily missed when you’re excited), but also with your natural energy patterns. Fighting tiredness with more activities is only likely to stress your brain; instead, try aligning activities with your energy levels. Slower mornings or restful afternoons, taken in tandem with your state of mind, can only serve to increase your enjoyment – and, ultimately, to avoid burnout.