Travel Mistakes You Might Be Making Without Even Realizing It

25. Leaving No Buffer Days Around Your Return Flight

It’s easy to want to maximize every last minute of your vacation, but flying home the night before an important meeting or heading straight from the airport to work is a recipe for burnout—or disaster. One delayed flight, missed connection, or baggage snafu, and your carefully planned schedule falls apart. Even if your travel goes smoothly, the physical and mental toll of jet lag, unpacking, and returning to your normal routine can leave you frazzled and exhausted. That’s why it’s smart to build in a buffer day or two after you return. Giving yourself 24–48 hours between your arrival and your first day back at work or school allows time for unexpected delays, restful recovery, and gentle reintegration into daily life. It also gives you space to do laundry, reorganize, and mentally process your trip. Many travelers say this transition period is when they feel most grateful for their travels—and least stressed. If possible, consider flying home on a Friday and returning to work Monday, giving yourself a mini staycation after your getaway. You’ll return more refreshed, present, and ready to share your adventures (rather than trying to survive the inbox avalanche from gate B12).