You have probably been complaining to your friends and family about how much you need a vacation but when you finally take one, it doesn't feel like you were just coming back from one. There are foolproof ways to get the best out of your vacations. Here are 7 tips on how to be fully relaxed and have a stress-free vacation.

Take Short breaks
Vacations have always been associated with a once-in-a-year opportunity to get away from work and everything that puts you under pressure. This shouldn't be the case, you can have as many holidays as possible within the year without having to take it at a stretch. Recent studies showed that people get excited about the prospect of taking a vacation, the anticipation and planning give a mood boost and increase an individual's happiness quotient. It is definite that it is more beneficial to get excited about a holiday every month than just once a year.

Meditation
It is no news that meditation and relaxation go hand in hand; if you are looking to destress, meditation is your best bet. The best thing about meditation is that you can do it anywhere provided that where you do it is a quiet place. Meditation helps you relax, it enables you to observe your situation from an objective point of view and make rational decisions about them.
To start meditating, get into a comfortable seated position, take deep breaths and slowly exhale, focus intently on your thoughts, and if you find your mind wandering, channel it back.

Unplug From the World
In our highly connected and fast-paced life, we are easily consumed by the pressure from work. It is surprising how some people, even though they are on holiday, still take work home with them. Vacation is all about unwinding and relaxing; what better way to do that than by disconnecting from the world? Turn off your notifications, stay away from social media if possible, make it difficult for people to contact you (ensure you tie all loose ties before you embark on your vacation), and enjoy your siesta time either by yourself or with your loved ones.

Don't Break your Bank
You read it right; vacations are meant for enjoyment and relaxation, but whatever you do, please stay within your budget! You don't want to come back home to a negative account.
If your budget permits it, however, treat yourself to nice and exotic hotels that promise nothing short of a lifetime experience, especially the ones in Santa Fe. You don't have to outdo yourself, you can look for the best hotels in Santa Fe, have the vacation of your dream and still stay within your budget. Even if the hotel you find is luxurious and expensive, you deserve it. The important thing here is that you get to relax.

Do the Things you Love
This might sound cliché, you may even roll your eyes thinking that “doing what you love” is what vacations are for anyway." However, it is easy to get carried away with the Insta or Snapchat idea of a holiday where you get stuck doing something that doesn't appeal to you. Something as simple as taking a walk in the park or reading your favourite book that has been collecting dust over the months can work a lot of wonders on your system.

Listen to good music
Ever heard of music therapy? The use of music to manage and relieve stress definitely improves mood and enhances self-expression. Furthermore, the interesting thing about music therapy is that it could be in the form of singing, listening to music, playing some instruments, or composing songs. This kind of therapy gets better, research has shown that music plays a role in the regulation of the stress hormones in our body –specifically cortisol and adrenaline– by reducing their effects.

Journaling
There are times when the situations around us make us feel out of control and they take a toll on our emotions. Journaling helps to keep our emotions in check. If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed, writing down your feelings in a journal can help you gain better control of your emotions, thus making your vacation a stress-free one.

Vacations are not the only times you should keep your stress levels under wraps, in every aspect of your life, you need to control stress. While at work, you could doodle for a minute or practice yoga at your desk or while at home, or even soak yourself into a hot bubble shower.