Are You and Your Home Ready for an Extended Vacation?

Extended vacations are great and can be a fantastic way to hit the “reset” button if you’ve been feeling stressed. However, planning for a long time away from home can end up adding to your stress if you’re not careful.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way.

With a little extra patience and preparation, you can get yourself and your home ready for a long time away. Take your time, don’t forget about your well-being, and you’ll enjoy the preparation process that much more knowing you have an extended trip to look forward to.

Not sure how to get started? Let’s cover a few tips that will make this big undertaking seem less overwhelming.

Keeping Your Home Secure

One of the biggest concerns you might face as you prepare for an extended vacation is keeping your home safe while you’re away. The last thing you want is to receive a call while you’re on your trip informing you of a break-in or stolen property.

You can secure your home as much as possible by putting in a bit of work before you leave. First, make sure all doors and windows are locked. That should be the last thing you double-check before you head out. A few days or weeks before you leave, make sure you do at least some of the following, if not all, ways to keep your home safe while you’re away:

• Pause your mail;
• Set timers for interior and exterior lights;
• Tell your security provider about your trip;
• Trim your lawn;
• Set up cameras or audio monitoring devices.

It’s also a good idea to ask a family member or friend to check in on your house once in a while. It can make it appear as though someone is still living there, which will often deter would-be criminals from breaking in.

Unfortunately, there are some things you’ll never be able to fully prepare for, like extreme weather or natural disasters. You never know what the weather forecast will be while you’re gone, but you can protect any items you have in storage with a few simple tips. If you’re keeping things stored in your garage, basement, shed, or even a spare room, make sure they’re wrapped tightly in waterproof material. Hang or elevate items when you can, use strong storage containers, and have a pest control solution in place to deter insects and rodents. These might not be perfect protection measures depending on what happens, but they’ll keep your stored items as secure and safe from damage as possible.

Knowing What To Pack

Packing for an extended vacation is different than packing a single suitcase for a weekend getaway. That’s especially true if you’re planning a solo adventure and it’s solely up to you to remember everything.

The easiest way to ensure you pack correctly — and pack enough! — is to make a checklist. Think about what you’ll really need for a long trip away from home, and go beyond the basics. Obviously, you’ll need enough clothing to get by, but the practical approach to packing outfits is to choose pieces that will fit your needs in your location. For example, if you’re heading somewhere with a warm climate and you plan to do a lot of hiking, you’ll want clothes that are durable, breathable, and lightweight.

Your health and safety should also be top priorities as you’re going through your packing checklist for long-term travel. Make sure your list includes the following so you don’t forget any necessities:

• A medical kit;
• Any prescription medications you need;
• Toiletries;
• A safety whistle;
• Contacts/glasses;
• A luggage lock.

While you’re creating a list of what to pack, consider putting together another for the things you want to clean up and store within your house. Checking things off your lists one by one will make the entire preparation process much easier and more satisfying.

Staying Energized on Your Trip

No matter where you travel, your main goal should be to relax and unwind as much as possible. However, it’s not always easy to feel comfortable right away in a new place. Maybe you’re having trouble sleeping. Or, maybe you’re getting in so much activity each day that you’re completely exhausted by the afternoon.

You can prepare for those energy slumps ahead of time by mentally preparing yourself. Write down your goals and expectations before you leave, and nail down a schedule that won’t burn you out each day. When you’re in the right mindset and stick to your schedule, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by all of the things you want to do and experience. You’ll go at your own pace and waste less energy.

You can also stay energized throughout your travels by getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and staying active. Make sure you’re listening to your body. If you start to feel tired by a certain point each day, don’t fight back against it. Learn to understand your fatigue and what your body needs, and give yourself plenty of rest.

There’s no reason why preparing yourself and your home for an extended vacation has to be so overwhelming. As long as you’re patient with the process and willing to go the extra mile with your planning efforts, you can jet-set around the globe for a month or two at a time and experience all the world has to offer.