Did you know that January is the month where doctors record the highest number of seasonal affective disorder – SAD for short – cases? At its heart, SAD is often labeled a winter illness as it’s more frequent when the days are short and the nights long. The decrease of natural sunlight affects your body absorption of vitamin D and, as a result, your mood. However, you can create your happiness by making the most of January to plan your next holiday in the sun.

Summer is, after all, only a few months away and that gives you just enough time to prepare for all the excitement of summer vacation. Ultimately, if you keep your mind busy with sunny thoughts, you might get through the SAD season without any issue! Besides, the perfect summer holiday requires strategic planning, so don’t delay it!

Dream of beach holidays

 

#1. Start planning now!

Let’s be honest; the summer break is the most popular travel period. If you want to make the most of your vacation, you need to start booking as early as possible! Use the month of January to pick a destination that suits your needs, budget, and interests. Booking your flights and travel early ensures you can get the best deal — last minute options can sometimes appear cheaper, but they offer few facilities and choices. The earlier you plan, the better chances you’ve got to find your ideal accommodation – especially if you’re traveling to a popular destination – and book tickets for your preferred attractions around. More importantly, this gives you plenty of time to sort out all necessary paperwork from passport to proof of payment. After all, the best remedy against holiday stress is organization.

 

#2. Make it adventurous

Every year is a new adventure, and that’s precisely how you need to think about your summer holiday too. Same old doesn’t recharge your batteries in the same way than doing something new and exciting during your vacation. An adventurous holiday, however, doesn’t have to be synonymous with putting yourself in harm’s way. Safe adventures are available everywhere, from hiring a yacht charter Miami based to swimming with dolphins – the Keys bay is a fantastic spot for this. It’s about going a little out of your comfort zone to discover what you can do. If you need some inspiration, here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • If you’re starting the year with fitness resolutions, make sure to plan a sporty escape this summer, such as hiking in the Grand Canyon.
  • For food lovers, a table at an innovative Michelin-starred restaurant can be a game-changer.
  • Etc.

 

#3. Don’t stress out about it

Preparing your summer break is designed to bring more sun into your wintery lifestyle. It’s about finding pleasure and joy in the thought of what there is to come. By no means should your vacation plan become synonymous with stress and deadline. Most people have holiday objectives, such as getting the perfect bikini body, for instance. Remember to be kind to yourself in the meantime, achieving your goals is great, but making the most of your summer is better.

Summer is about relaxing, not just bikini bodies

 

The summer is still a long way away. But thinking about it today brings it a little closer home!