When you’re in a new place, it’s natural to want to spend every waking moment seeing something new. We only have a limited time on our vacations, and sometimes that can make us feel pressured to see and experience absolutely everything we can fit into that time frame. But that’s not always the best way to experience a new place. Here are some reasons planning for downtime is just as important as planning your sightseeing.
Better Frame of Mind
When you’re exhausted from a full day of walking and new sights, it’s hard to actually enjoy all the new stuff you’re seeing or to absorb the new information you’re learning. And what’s the point, really, of visiting a new place if you’re barely experiencing it? Blocking out some time to sit at a cafe or take a nap at your hotel will help you be as rested as you need to be to really enjoy your trip.
No Burnout
Another symptom of exhaustion is fast burnout. If you plan your first couple of days chock-full of activities, you’ll likely feel burnt out by the third or fourth day and may not even feel like going anywhere. Instead of risking losing a full day, choose just a couple of things you want to see each day and plan for downtime in between to keep your energy levels up the whole trip.
Local Culture
Downtime doesn’t always have to mean a nap, it can also mean sitting at a cafe, beach, or park. If you can find out how locals like to relax or where they like to go to blow off steam, you can get a taste of local culture by resting the same way they do.