Therapist reveals the critical thing you must always do on vacation to prevent burnout

A therapist has revealed the one vital thing you must do while you're on vacation - and it can be imperative to your mental health.

If you've ever used the phrase 'I need a vacation from my vacation,' it turns out that post-holiday exhaustion is absolutely a real thing.

Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano recently revealed to Today that the most important thing you can do on vacation is actually schedule some time to rest.

'What I've learned is you have to schedule in times of rest on vacation,' Feliciano, who is a mother of four, told the outlet.

'A lot of times, we get to the end of a vacation and we feel depleted and exhausted,' she continued.

'How many times have I heard, "I need a vacation to recover from my vacation"? (The goal is) just building, even in hectic moments on a fast-paced vacation, slow moments,' the professional explained.

In 2024, a study by Expedia found that Americans took the least vacations globally, per USA Today. 

In addition, 65 percent of US respondents said they feel like they don't take enough time off either. 

Feliciano said that while you're on vacation, it's important to make sure you leave free time for yourself to truly relax. 

'Do not schedule every minute,' Feliciano advised.

'Have a day on where we're looking at things and touring and maybe a day off or a half-day off where we can recover,' she said.

According to Cleveland Clinic, there are a number of health benefits that stem from taking vacations.

The Clinic recommends planning a vacation if you're feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or even having something called 'the Sunday scaries' - where you're having anxiety and dreading starting the work week. 

Just taking time off can decrease stress hormones in the brain, according to the Clinic, and helps the brain reset. 

Feliciano explained that it can even make you more creative.  

She suggested that while you're exploring a new place on vacation, that you do so with an informal approach to encourage your brain to work in a different way. 

'Exploration we know triggers something neurological,' the psychotherapist said.

'Basically, we activate the default-mode network.

'We need it to store memory. It's for introspection, that's where our creative centers get turned on, so it's very restorative in that sense,' she shared.

She suggested doing things like journaling, reading, going to the spa and watching the sunset as some restorative, restful activities you can include on your trip.