Planning a family holiday is thrilling yet intimidating. From booking tickets to packing and ensuring everything is done on time, people usually overlook the importance of relaxation. Around 78% of parents with children feel stressed when planning family vacations. One of their key concerns is finding time to relax throughout the trip (Source: Civic Science). However, incorporating massage to relax the body can make you feel vigorous and happier.
Considering this, we put together 10 essential tips everyone must contemplate for relaxing family holidays. These tips can help you plan holidays impeccably, keep you entertained, and revitalize your energy.
10 Essential Massage & Relaxation Tips
Plan Your Relaxation Time in Advance
If you genuinely want to enjoy a stress-free trip, you must start planning before time. According to the Family Travel Association (FTA) research, families who plan for holidays ahead of time report 40% more satisfaction than families who prefer last-minute booking or planning.
Therefore, map your activities and downtime accordingly. It is essential to plan relaxation breaks between hectic sightseeing and day trips. You can book a hotel or a resort that provides family-friendly spa services to relax everyone’s mind and body.
Keep Travel-Friendly Massage Tools with You
Keeping traveled-size massage tools is perfect if you want a quick relaxation session. For instance, you can easily pack massage rollers, portable massagers, and handheld devices in your bag. Neck massagers are great for hectic flights or car rides as they ease your tension in no time. You can effortlessly find lightweight travel-size massage tools to give yourself and your family a soothing massage without professional assistance.
Try Breathing Exercises During Trip
Long-hour flights and car rides can drain your energy and make you tired. That’s why it is recommended that your family try deep breathing exercises during transit. Deep breathing is a powerful tool to reduce stress by up to 40% and perfectly manages stress-related conditions. Hold your breath for a few seconds, exhale it slowly, and repeat the procedure for at least 5 minutes. Although it’s a simple exercise, it guarantees calming results for your whole family.
Use Neck Pillows and Blankets for Ultimate Comfort
Comfort is essential for your long-hour trips. That’s why you should keep soft blankets and premium-quality neck pillows for all family members. Neck pillows improve posture and protect from strain. Besides, they make it simpler for everyone to enjoy a power nap while traveling. Moreover, weighted blankets help calm your body and regulate the body’s pressure points. So, before leaving your home for a family trip, ensure you have blankets and neck pillows.
Book a Family Massage Session at Your Destination
Once you arrive at your destination, a family massage session is a fantastic activity to keep stress and fatigue at bay. Different resorts and hotels offer family-friendly massage services suitable for everyone, including children. If you are concerned about your children, choose a spa that uses natural oils (including eucalyptus or lavender) to calm your body. These soothing activities elevate your energy level and help you spend quality time with your family.
Try Light Stretching and Yoga
Light stretching and yoga are effective in keeping your body flexible and muscles relaxed, as they can reduce stress by up to 86%. You can incorporate family-friendly yoga poses into your morning routine throughout the vacation. Basic stretches, including touching toes and arm circles, can prevent stiffness and keep your body warm. You can introduce fun yoga poses for your younger children to entertain them.
Limit Your Screen Time
Digital distractions have made it convenient for everyone to glue to screens. Try to decrease screen time and spend more time with your family on your holidays. You can enjoy sightseeing, shopping, and quality food with your family without using mobile phones or laptops. According to the National Sleep Foundation, reducing screen time before bed can improve sleep quality, which is imperative for maintaining energy during travel holidays.
Keep Essential Oils in Your Backpack
Essential oils (including lavender, peppermint, and chamomile) can reduce stress and relax your body. Adding drops on your pillow or dabbing your wrist can do wonders. Many essential oils have proven to have a magical impact. You can use diluted essential oils for your kids to ensure practical and advantageous use during the trip.
Practice Guided Meditation with Your Family
The best thing about guided meditation is that it centers around your family and lessens travel anxiety. Amazingly, plenty of online meditation apps offer short and soothing sessions that are effective for every family member. Some other perks of meditation include increased happiness levels and low stress. Indeed, all you need is a relaxed mind and energetic body to start and end your day with cherished memories during the trip. Take 5-10 minutes for guided meditation, as it creates a peaceful atmosphere where everyone feels content and lively.
End Your Day with an Effective Family Foot Massage
After a hectic day of sightseeing or a road trip, a foot massage is an ideal way to unwind. If you can’t find a professional masseuse or certified massage spa, you can try doing it without any professional help.
For instance, gently pressing the soles and massaging your heels relaxes your muscles and relieves foot pain. Additionally, it’s a beautiful way to strengthen your bond with your family members, as you can provide free massage services to any of them or ask them to do it for you.
Wrapping Up
Family trips shouldn’t be exhausting or stressful. The above tips must be incorporated to help you fully enjoy your family holidays. Also, never overlook the significance of massage in relaxing the body, as you can enjoy the trip with a relaxed mind and a vigorous body.
While planning your family holiday, consider visiting A Magic Touch Mobile Massage for professional massage services tailored to families. These services can help them feel relaxed and stress-free before the trip, as a healthy body and happy mind can help you enjoy the journey without any stress.