It’s too common: we go away for a week and come back more exhausted than when we left. Why are we seemingly programmed to be incapable of relaxation? It’s because we can’t effectively distance ourselves from work. Thankfully, there are a few simple lifestyle changes that can poise that next vacation as a restful success.

Set Early Deadlines and Submit Your Work

A project looming over your vacation is a major distraction. Regardless how “unplugged” you want to be, thoughts of work will creep into your mind. However, if you finish everything before your departure, then your mind won’t drift back to what’s in progress—nor will it feel guilty over the break.

That said, some people do not transition well from work to vacation. If that speaks true to you, then consider allocating time each day to check in at work. This could mean calling into the office or scanning your email for pertinent notifications. Even if you don’t respond, feeling in the loop helps some people comfortably take a vacation.

Embrace Spontaneity Everyway You Can

The more effort you put into planning your trip, the more it will feel like work. New research even backs this claim up! Apparently, setting a date and time for recreational activities makes them less enjoyable as they become rigid and structured like work. While you need to make certain arrangements (i.e. hotel and transportation), consider leaving things like restaurant choices, sightseeing destinations and other day-to-day events up to chance.

Set a Realistic Budget for the Trip

Financial stress can ruin a trip. When you stretch a budget thin, any purchase that pushes its margin will make you feel frustrated and uneasy. Although you should be spending-conscious, you need to set looser budgets that allow for that aforesaid spontaneity. Otherwise, you’ll overthink everything and live outside the moment the whole trip.