Vacations help people relax, forget about work, try new things, and discover new places. Some people travel domestically, others go abroad. But either way, you are away from home, and that doesn\’t eliminate the stress that comes with traveling, not knowing what might happen to your apartment or home. However, you just need to be aware of a few things, and if you keep reading, you won\’t forget them.

Your first duty is to babysit. Your children will most likely travel with you, but your pets will need plenty of water and food. Be sure to ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to watch your cat, dog, or whatever you have. Both large and small creatures need to eat and drink.

Flowers also need care, so you can ask a friend to water them while you babysit. That way, you don\’t have to worry that the flowers will be wilted when you get back to your apartment after you\’ve taken the trouble to care for them. The temperatures are warmer during the holidays, so there is no need to take risks.

Make a list of everything. If you are packing, write it down a few days in advance so you don\’t forget anything. Keep it on hand at all times in case you have a sudden thought on the side of the road, so you don\’t assume you\’ll remember the information. That probably won\’t happen.

Cleaning is key. Cleaning before a vacation, taking care of dishes and clothes, and forcing yourself to do some major cleaning will help you arrive home feeling refreshed and happy. You won\’t be haunted by something that needs to be finished. Because if you don\’t, you will be. Besides, you don\’t want to stress unnecessarily, do you? Sooner or later you have to start anyway, and it makes much more sense to start early.

Put all work aside. Try to get all your work done before you leave, otherwise you won\’t get enough rest. How can you stay positive and completely mentally healthy if you can\’t find a few days in a hectic year to forget everything?