The elderly gets stressed over their numerous medical disorders, adults get stressed over their careers, teenagers get stressed over their ever-changing lives, and kids get stressed over school. Obviously, no matter what age or gender you belong to, you can never escape the draining effects of stress. If one of the traits you and your family have in common is exhaustion and sleepless nights, it's time to take one step back and provide yourselves with a much needed breathing space.



And the only way to do that is by having a family vacation getaway this weekend!

Tips on How to Plan the Ideal Family Vacation Getaway

Planning Starts on Friday ? Inform your supervisor that you intend to take the day off on Friday to have sufficient time to plan for your family vacation getaway on the coming weekend. Make sure that you also finish your work by Thursday night as you'll be entertaining no calls from the office throughout the weekend.

Although your kids don't have to skip school on the last day of the week, they also have to make sure that they don't leave any loose ends once you hit the road on Saturday. As such, remind them to have their assignments done by Friday night.

Location, Location, Location ? Since you'll only be spending a weekend and not a whole week on vacation, it's best that you choose a destination which won't take you too long to reach. If it will take you hours to reach your destination by car, consider taking the plane instead.

Accommodation must be carefully chosen as well. They must provide all the luxury that your family needs. Remember that this weekend's family vacation getaway is all about letting off steam and relaxing, and you won't be able to do that if you're stuck in a cheap but sleazy motel. This weekend is all about indulging yourself!

Pampering Yourself ? Adults and teenagers should treat themselves with an hour at the spa. They can enjoy the sauna, bathe in rose water, or have their whole bodies massaged. It's important that each and every one of you find the right therapy to help you lower your stress levels. As for kids, allow them to eat and watch TV more or longer than what's usual.

Zzzz Time ? Sleep is unfortunately a far underrated activity. It's also one of the things that are severely affected by stress. When you feel stressed, you're most likely unable to sleep. This however can be easily remedied with a family vacation getaway. You can give you and your kids a room of their own so you can all enjoy your rest separately and more peacefully. Sleep early and wake up late!

Avoid Tiring Activities ? Remember that the goal for this weekend's family vacation getaway is to give you and your family much needed rest. That certainly won't happen if you're going to spend it playing exciting but exhausting sports, gambling at the casino all night, and so forth. Instead of these activities, consider spending majority of the day just catching up on your reading, listening to great music, and yes, sleeping.

Eating Together ? All of you will also be able to relax more if you and your family spend time together, and the best way to do that is by sharing meals. Whether you order in or eat out doesn't matter just as long as you and your family rediscover the simple pleasures of spending time in each other's company!

Stress Relief Techniques ? Most hotels offer yoga and meditation classes as well as cooking and writing workshops to their guests. All these are great ways to help you get rid of stress from your body. Find one which appeal to you then ask if your family wishes to join you. Even if they don't, that shouldn't mean you shouldn't join it as well.

Retail Therapy ? No family vacation getaway is complete without at least an hour's worth of retail therapy. You can shop at the mall and at bazaars that are held in the vicinity. Ask around to find great shopping sites where you can haggle for the price.

Lastly, don't forget to talk to each other and updating everyone about what's going on with your life. Whether you're vacationing in Europe or the Middle East is irrelevant; if you don't enjoy the people you're with, your family vacation getaway will amount to nothing. But if you do enjoy your time with your family, focus on strengthening your bonds to each other and you'll soon see that all of you will return home not only looking better but feeling better overall as well.