Returning from a vacation often means diving straight back into the craziness of daily life. But what if you added one extra day to your vacation to spend at home?
For those who take a week’s vacation, adding the extra day is sometimes called a baker’s week or as I like to call it, a +1 vacation — 7 days on vacation/trip + 1 day at home (similar to an extra egg in a baker’s dozen).
Years ago, I thought it strange when people told me they would take an extra day off at the end of their vacation just to spend at home. At the time, I thought it was a waste of a vacation day, especially at a time when I had very few vacation days to play with all year. However, over the years (and many more vacation days accrued), I’ve changed my mindset when it comes to taking this extra, baker’s day. I’ve seen first hand how much this one stay-at-home day, post-vacation, can make a huge difference on my back-to-work mood and overall stress level. Even if your vacation is shorter, let’s day 3-4 days, this simple adjustment of adding a +1 vacation day to stay at home can transform your travel experience, offering numerous benefits that enhance both your trip and your return to normalcy.
3 Reasons to Take One Extra Day at Home After Your Vacation
1. Recovery and Rest – Travel, no matter how enjoyable, can be exhausting. Jet lag, long flights, and non-stop activities can be draining on even the most experienced travelers. An additional day at home provides much-needed time to rest and recover, physically and mentally. Sleep in, relax, and recharge your energy levels so that you return to work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated rather than tired and overwhelmed.
2. Planning Ahead – Whether you’re returning to a house full of children, a busy career or both, an extra day can be used to plan and prepare for the week ahead. Review your schedule, set priorities, and catch up on emails without the pressure of immediately jumping into a full workload. This proactive approach can make the first few days back at work or school much more manageable, setting a positive tone for the week.
3. Minimize Stress – The rush of returning from a trip and facing a mountain of tasks can be overwhelming. A post-vacation buffer day spent at home helps minimize this stress by giving you time to catch up and prepare. You can address any immediate needs, such as grocery shopping, laundry or paying bills, without the added pressure of work commitments. This preparation helps create a smoother and more organized transition back to the reality of your post-vacation routine.
As you can see, adding this small but mighty extra day at home after your vacation can offer substantial benefits. It enhances your ability to transition smoothly, plan for your week ahead and minimize stress as you return to your normal routine. By taking this extra day, you set yourself up for a more relaxed and organized return to normal life, ensuring that the positive effects of your vacation last even longer. So, next time you plan a trip, consider a +1, buffer day at home—you’ll be glad you did.
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