Unless you’re particularly skilled at mindfulness, going on holiday can prove to be quite the exasperating experience. There’s this unspoken pressure to have all the fun, be relaxed, not think about work, and not stress about whatever may be going on back home. And, let’s be honest, when you’re splurging all this money to not work - British families spend £37bn going on holiday every year - the pressure to have the time of your life pretty much doubles. But there’s a handful of clever tips and tricks that can seriously reduce your vacay-anxiety. Check them out:

1. Plan ahead, pay ahead. You know how it’s less painful to pay bills via direct debit as opposed to paying manually each and every month? The same kind of logic applies to holidaying. The more you pay in advance, the less freaked out you’ll be in situ where you’re likely to be faced with everything from taxi to restaurant bills. You should consider paying for your accommodation upfront - hotels offer a reduced rate if you settle the bill in advance. And if you’re planning on attending any events, it’s wise to look into buying the tickets before you arrive.
    
2. Hold off on the non-essential purchases. So you’ve discovered THE prettiest souvenir shop ever. You just can’t peel yourself away from the gorgeous hand-knitted crochet, the beautiful, colourful plates, the patterned handwoven rugs… but, hold on. Do you hand-on-heart need any of these, pretty as they are? Delaying discretionary spending can save you hundreds of pounds, so we suggest you take a couple of days to mull over the potential purchase; if it’s not on your mind five days later, you probably don’t need it.
    
3. Figure out how much things cost in relation to your earnings. This is easier to do if you’re freelance, but you can also work out how much you’re paid per hour with this calculator. If, say, you’re paid £20ph, and you want to buy a souvenir worth £100, you’re essentially paying in 5 hours of your work. This shift in perspective may help you assess your need to make such purchases.
    
4. Save the indulgence until the last day. The last portion of your holiday leaves the most lasting impression, so why not spend the last day doing something lavish, like dining out at the best restaurant in town or hiring a boat for the day?
    
5. Prepare for your return to reality. One of the major reasons we’re so anxious on holiday is because of the fear of the workload that will inevitably await upon our return. But is it really all that inevitable? Ask your colleagues to prepare a short de-brief upon your return, or, if you’re self-employed, try to do as much work as you can before you leave. The more you plan for your return, the less anxiety you’ll have.
    
6. Set some boundaries. Don’t be afraid to tell your employer or your clients that you’re going off-grid; it’s not realistic to be on call 24/7, and most will be understanding. Set a clear limit - one hour of emails every three days, for example - and do your best to actually stick to it.
    
7. Keep yourself busy. Bring a good book and get lost in reading; learn how to scuba dive or go on a daily hiking adventure. Whatever you choose to do, try to lose yourself in the moment. Keeping busy will help you switch off from your daily worries and will take your thinking to a completely different, more peaceful, place.

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