We all need to take a break from the physical and mental strains of everyday life. Going on a fulfilling vacation even just for a couple of days is one great way to do that. Ironically, some people find their supposedly relaxing getaway stressful.

Due to lack of planning, overspending, and bad timing, people miss the point of their time of leisure, making them in need of a vacation from their vacation.

There’s nothing worse than taking a precious and limited time off work to travel, only to spend it on an awful, unsuccessful trip. Science tells us that there are certain strategies to make your vacation more satisfying, cost-wise and quality wise.

1. Plan ahead

Getting misinformed about amusement park schedules, forgetting stuff, and walking for hours to find the nearest hotels, dining places, drug stores, and bus terminals - these are a few hassles that might arise from your trip. Planning ahead helps reduce stress and boost satisfaction from your vacation.

Familiarize yourself with the location. Learn the operating hours of nearby attractions. Read reviews. Study the maps. Figure out how to get around.

2. Make a rough itinerary

Use your time efficiently. Don’t leave without making a rough itinerary. You don’t have to bury your head in your plan, but it’s good to have an idea where and when you’re heading so you won’t waste your vacation benefits slacking off on a comfy hotel bed.

3. Time your trip well

When creating a rough itinerary, consider the following: explore in the beginning, get active in the middle, and savor in the end.

Roam around and familiarize yourself with the environment first. When you’re done familiarizing, go off the beaten path. Plan the most exciting activities halfway your trip - the peak of your vacation. During your remaining days, savor. Admire the setting sun. Take more pictures. Have a recap of your fun experiences for the past days.

4. Savor the anticipation

You may not be aware but there your vacation can be broken down into three stages: pre-travel (anticipation), travel (the trip itself), and post-travel (reflection). A 2010 study revealed that people tend to be happier weeks prior to their trip than the trip itself and in the weeks after that. It is during the planning and anticipation stage where everyone is excited.

The takeaway? Since anticipation is powerful, plan your trips in advance so you’ll have a chance to enjoy looking forward to them. Research the fun sites you'll visit. Watch videos about where you’ll going.

5. Less is more

Quality is always better than quantity.

Don’t overbook. Limit yourself to a few destinations and activities to minimize regret. I know we have the innate desire to explore as much at once, but by limiting the number of the places to visit and activities to do, you get to spend quality time in each new place. You’re not in a rush to take everything in as quickly as possible.

6. Unwind before the trip begins

Had a rough, long week at work? Reward yourself by not working overtime the day before your trip.

Before checking into a hotel on a Saturday morning, make sure to give yourself time to unwind and mentally ease into your vacation mode by Friday afternoon. In this way, you'll feel more energized rather than exhausted when you arrive at your suite. You may start packing up and getting chores out of the way earlier so you can fully settle into your trip.

7. Choose your travel buddy wisely

Your vacation companion has a strong influence on your overall satisfaction. It would be a bummer if you’re someone who loves wandering, sweating out and exploring off the beaten path attractions, and your companion just wants to be left inside the fully air-conditioned hotel room, watching Netflix.

8. Disconnect and connect

Disconnect with the internet. Connect with the real world.

There’s a jaw-dropping location to feast your eyes on. There are beautiful people with meaningful stories around you. Your environment is worth savoring as it is, so why lose yourself in the virtual world? The best way to see the world is to see it with your own eyes in the moment, not through screens.

Yes, you can take pictures with your phone, tweak it with Snapseed, and post it on Instagram. However, be mindful of the amount of time spent on your devices, and think whether or not it's affecting your genuine experience.

9. Take lots of pictures but take everything in first

It may seem like taking pictures is the best way to preserve memories. However, research suggests it’s actually the opposite.

The act of taking photos can impair memory. You become obsessed documenting every striking moment that you end up missing out. Try to take in an experience first using all of your senses before clicking the shutter button. You can also do the activity twice, first camera-free and the second with an eye for incredible, Insta-worthy shots.

10. Pay for experiences, not stuff

You have $30 in your pocket. Would you rather spend all of your money on that cute purple hoodie, a first-class dinner, or on a one-day pass at an amusement park with a zipline adventure?

Experiences are priceless. The memories made stick with you, and they're something irreplaceable.

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the writers for Holiday Inn Parramatta Accommodation, a modern hotel in Western Sydney known for their exceptional accommodation, service, and location, which appeals to travelers in Australia. She has always been passionate about giving in to her wanderlust and collecting mementos from different places.