Vacation tips, guilt, posting about kids online

Plus: Questions to ask your gyno

View this email online Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Life Kit producer Clare Marie Schneider What does your dream vacation look like? Does it include multiple stops and jam-packed days in a busy city? Or is it a relaxing week with family somewhere remote?  For me, it’s somewhere in between. This summer, I’m going on a five-day backpacking trip with my sister. I’m looking forward to not using my phone or credit card for an entire workweek. I also like that our goal for the trip is simple and clear — walk to the next place where we’ll sleep.  If you want to plan your next vacation, start by asking yourself what you want to get out of the trip, says Lale Arikoglu, articles director of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. The answer will anchor the rest of your planning, she says.   With summer approaching, here are some smart travel tips from Arikoglu.  Eoneren/Getty Images Help me plan Don’t have enough vacation days? Travel over holiday weekends. Stretch your time off by planning trips around national holidays. For example, if you get Labor Day off, plan to take an extra day or two in addition to that Monday. That way, you can get a five-day trip using only two days of paid time off. But keep in mind, holiday weekends can also be the most expensive time to travel, says Arikoglu.  Consider visiting during “shoulder season,” or going to a destination outside of peak tourism season. For example, if you travel to Europe in October rather than August, you might be able to find cheaper tickets and avoid the heat, says Arikoglu.  Set clear financial expectations with your fellow travelers. Make sure you’re on the same page about the trip, especially when it comes to the budget. “Set some parameters at the start and be honest about what you feel comfortable spending money on. Inevitably, there are going to be some people on the trip who want to spend more money than others,” says Arikoglu.  Something will probably go wrong, and that’s OK. Prepare yourself for hiccups on your trip -- it can help you manage expectations. Especially if your vacation involves air travel. Arikoglu says it can be liberating to recognize you’re powerless regarding flight delays and missed connections. Whenever she travels, she tells herself: “I'll get there eventually.”  I'm ready for vacation Smart travel tips to try this summer How to pack like a pro. Seven tips to help you pack light. What to leave at home, what to pick up along the way and how to reduce the weight of your luggage. Read the story here.    Travel essentials according to travel journalist Benét Wilson. Lindsey Balbierz for NPR How to beat jet lag for your summer trip. Six tips on how to stay alert and minimize sluggishness when traveling rapidly across multiple time zones. Read the story here.  Keep the peace when traveling with a group. From personality clashes to thorny social problems, here's how to handle issues that arise when you travel with friends and family. Read the story here.  A flight expert's hot take on holiday travel: 'Don't do it'. But if you have to, here's some advice. Scott Keyes, the founder of the travel site Going.com (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), shares the best days to fly and what to do if your flight gets delayed. Read the story here.  Find meaning in travel — abroad or in your backyard. You can discover new things about the world when you travel, or even close to home if you use a traveler’s mindset. "It takes humility," says artist and author Jenny Odell. Read the story here.  Newsletter continues after sponsor message Listen Sponsor-Free Support public media while getting expert advice on health, finance, relationships and more with Life Kit+. You'll get sponsor-free listening AND that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with making a difference. You can also check out loads of other NPR+ podcasts with benefits at plus.npr.org. Explore Life Kit+ How do headphones impact our hearing?  Daniel Hertzberg NPR’s Body Electric, a podcast that investigates the relationship between technology and our bodies, is back for a second season.  Check out their new episode about headphone habits. Host Manoush Zomorodi speaks with scientist Rick Neitzel about a first-of-its-kind study that looks at how our daily sound exposure and listening patterns affect our hearing. Neitzel offers advice on safe listening habits that can help protect our ears in the long term. Listen to the episode here This week on Life Kit Sol Cotti for NPR Why you should think twice before posting that cute photo of your kid online. Oversharing can make children vulnerable to identity theft, harassment and predators. To protect their privacy, share a 'holiday card-or-less' amount of data online, says expert Leah Plunkett. Read the story here.  You asked, we answered: Questions you might be too shy to ask your gynecologist. Painful periods, low libido, pap smear anxiety — when it comes to talking to your gynecologist, no question should be off the table, says Dr. Rachel Bervell. She answers questions from our audience. Read the story here.  How to have a healthy relationship with guilt. Exercises to help you cope with negative feelings around guilt (like shame or embarrassment) — and motivate better behavior in the future. Read the comic here. Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? 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