10 Ways I Relaxed on Our Vacation

This photo is the path to one of the main pools. Doesn’t that tree look so cool?

Dave and I spent the past week in Florida for a very last-minute vacation. Although it was a little crazy trying to work out all the details in less than 36 hours, the vacation itself was SO relaxing!

We didn’t have an agenda or any specific plans — other than sitting at the pool and soaking up as much warm weather and sun as possible! And while the entire trip wasn’t all fun and games {we did have to spend 20 hours in the car each way with 5 adults, 2 babies, and all our luggage!} I’ve decided that I should definitely try this whole “relaxing thing” more often!

Here are some of the things I  did to relax:

1. I slept — a lot!

No, I didn’t sleep our entire vacation away, but I did sleep in every day, took a bunch of naps by the pool, and actually went to bed when I was tired {imagine that!}

2. I limited computer time to 1 hour per day.

The resort had free WiFi everywhere so it would have been really easy to be obsessed with checking my email, facebook, twitter, and website — but I didn’t. I just spent enough time checking my email so I wouldn’t  be totally overwhelmed when I got home.

And even though there were definitely times when I wanted to be on the computer, it was SO freeing just to keep it turned off.

3. I didn’t wear a watch.

As I mentioned before, we really had no specific plan other than to relax, so why get a nasty watch tan line!

The gorgeous view out the back of our condo.

4. I watched a bunch of HGTV.

Since we only have very basic cable at home, I took full advantage of the resort’s premium cable package and watched a bunch of home improvement and decorating shows on the HGTV channel. {Don’t worry, I didn’t waste daylight hours on TV}

5. I ate ice-cream for lunch.

Hey, it’s vacation right?

6. I played lots of cards.

Dave loves to play cards, and since we had my aunt, uncle, and cousin there with us, we were able to play all sorts of card games. I even played Solitaire with a real deck of cards by the pool.

7. I didn’t use coupons…OR a list.

We had a full kitchen so we ate breakfast, lunch, and most snacks in our condo. This saved us a bunch of time and money…but also required a quick trip to the grocery store. And even though I just LOVE using coupons, I resisted the urge and shopped without coupons or a list!

Love all those palm trees!

8. I played mini golf.

Normally, I’m not a big fan of mini golf {because I usually lose!} but this week was different. I actually enjoyed playing the different mini golf courses at our resort… probably because we didn’t keep score 🙂

9. I floated down the lazy river.

There were many different pools at our resort and one of the pools had a huge lazy river that we could float down on tubes. It had a strong enough current that all you had to do was lay there — so relaxing!

10. I didn’t do my hair or make-up.

I really never did my hair or make-up the entire week! And even though I’m normally pretty low maintenance, it was still really nice not to care or worry what I looked like. I’m not saying it was pretty {notice there are no pictures of me!!} but it was just another way I relaxed over the week!

This is one of the main pools with a bunch of pool-side restaurants.

How about you?

Have you been on a relaxing vacation lately? Do you have any simple tips for ways to relax even when you’re NOT on vacation?