It turns out that jumping on a plane and going somewhere picturesque does not ensure your vacation will be relaxing, which is a problem many travelers encounter every year. Which is a shame, of course. Chances for a long vacation are rare enough as it is, the last thing anyone needs is to go on a trip and come back no more relaxed than when they left.

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The good news is that there are ways to pretty much ensure you’re going to be able to chill on your next vacation. Here are some tips that can make your next vacation more soothing.

1 – Pick the right destination

Do you really need to travel abroad? When picking a destination spot, it’s important to keep your own needs in mind, instead of choosing a destination based solely on what would look good on social media. A long and expensive trip to a distant exotic destination can be exciting, but exciting isn’t always the best thing when you are looking to decompress.

Consider going to familiar locations. Maybe spend all that money on a long stay at a spa instead, for example. Or take a trip to a place you have visited before and know you’ll be comfortable in.

2 – Have contingency plans

Don’t get so trapped by the idea of an ideal vacation that you aren’t prepared for the worst. Remember that there is always your chance that it will rain every single day during your 7-day beach vacation. That’d be horribly bad luck, but still, you should have a plan B in mind so you’ll still be able to rest and relax even if something like that happens.

3 – Go with the right company

Few things can ruin a good vacation faster than having a mood killer roaming around you. Try to travel with people who are as excited about the trip as you are, or stick to locations you know your partner will appreciate. Or just travel alone. You can always just make friends wherever you go, or you can have elite international escorts accompany you for the trip. There are plenty of alternatives that are much better than traveling with someone who doesn’t want to be on the trip, to begin with.

4 – Don’t overbook yourself

It can be exciting to try to see and do as much as possible during the trip, especially if you are visiting somewhere new. But remember, if the goal is to relax, you should be willing to allow yourself to take it slow. Don’t fill every day of the trip with things to do from back to back. Or if you do pack up your schedule, at least be willing to cancel a few activities and make changes to your schedule if you start to feel drained during the trip.

6 – Unplug from sources of stress

The world isn’t going to catch on fire just because you stopped watching the news for a week, so try staying disconnected during your vacation. Keep a phone for emergency contacts only, and avoid dealing with the news, work emails, social media dramas, and anything else that might cause you stress during the trip. It’ll help you decompress.