Travel

It's always overwhelming when you come back into the office from vacation. Your email inbox looks like something exploded in it, and the endless meetings seem to keep popping up in your calendar alerts. How in the world can you transition back from vacay bliss to the daily grind? Here are some tips to having a stress-free first day at the office when you're back from vacation:

Get in earlier: If you're not too tired, then go into work an hour earlier to get a headstart on catching up on what you've missed. You'll probably want some quiet time before fellow coworkers come in and start asking you about your holiday or requesting you to do certain things, so try to get in before they do so you won't feel overwhelmed.

Write a to-do list: One of the first things you should do when you come back from a trip is to draft a to-do list for the day. You will probably have a million tasks to do, so note them down and figure out which ones you should prioritize. You'll feel better once you start crossing each one off.

Deal with your emails: It's time to tackle the mountain of emails that have been piling up in your absence! Don't try to respond to them all at once, because it might be overwhelming. Delete the ones you don't need, mark the ones you need to respond to later in the day, and reply to urgent emails that need an immediate response.

Read on for more.

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, Fox News Magazine. Today, we get some expert advice for staying safe during a solo Summer vacation:

Does getting away from everyone sound appealing? If so, you might want to consider ditching your travel companions in favor of a solo vacation.

But before you hop online and book an independent voyage, there are some valuable things to remember to stay safe and make the most of your journey.

Related: 5 Ways to Revive Your Relationship

We spoke to some of foremost experts in the travel, self-defense, and security industries for some of the top tips on traveling alone:

Research and plan ahead
Have your lodging and transportation planned out ahead of time and know what's around you, says Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor for Orbitz.com.  "If you're traveling internationally, find out where the US Embassy is located before you arrive."    

Inform your family and friends of your trip
Make sure everyone knows where you are staying and where you are going at all times, and keep them updated if your itinerary changes, advises Pat Brosnan, a former NYPD officer and CEO of Brosnan Risk Consultants.

Try to assimilate into the culture
If possible, learn how to say hello, goodbye, please, and thank you in every language, says travel expert Lee Abbamonte, who is also the youngest American to visit every country. "It's amazing how that endears you to locals." Also, do your research on the culture. Find out which gestures are appropriate and which may be insulting.

Dress the part
Avoid dressing provocatively in a way that could offend the culture or make you a target for sexual assault. This also goes for expensive jewelry, designer bags, and sunglasses. Leave them at home, says Brosnan. "You don't want to become a tasty morsel to pickpockets."

Protect your ID
If possible, your passport should remain on your body at all times.  "A US passport can fetch upward of $10,000 if it falls into the wrong hands. Buying an inexpensive passport cover is an easy but effective fix," says Jen Lownik, self-defense instructor and executive vice president of IM-Safe. Lownik also suggests taking photocopies of your passport just in case you fall victim to theft.

Be visible
Tornatore advises to only go where there are people around; don't enter into remote areas. "It may be tempting to wander off to sightsee, but you want to make sure you are always in eyesight of people so they can see or hear you if anything happens."    

Always have your phone charged
"You never want to get caught with a dead battery, especially in a foreign country where there is a language barrier." Brosnan suggests purchasing an external backup battery charger for your phone.

Keep your bags close
"Never leave bags unattended ever, especially in foreign countries. You don't want to become an unwitting carrier or transporter of illegal substances," says Brosnan. Tornatore also advises that if you're nervous about leaving something in your hotel room, bring it with you.

Watch the alcohol
It's one thing being drunk with trusted friends who can help you get home at night. But when you're alone in an unfamiliar location, the only one you can trust to keep you safe is yourself.

Listen to your gut
If you feel threatened or unsafe, follow your instincts. That voice inside your head is usually right.

— Ashley Papa

Also on Fox News Magazine:

10 Red Flags to Watch Out For When Traveling as a Couple

Tips and Tricks For Traveling to Las Vegas

The Best Ski Resorts For People Who Don't Ski

While soaking up the sights, you'll be tempted to capture every waking moment. But not everything is subject to photography, and it's better to err on the side of caution when submersed in a foreign culture.

If in doubt, follow the golden rule of travel photography: don't assume. When it comes to photography etiquette, ask before you shoot and follow these simple guidelines for shutterbugs abroad.

• Portraits — Sometimes, the beauty of a new place is the locals themselves. Taking candid shots of people on the street or in the marketplace can be difficult if you're always having to ask permission. Pro photog Matt Kadey says, "When you're taking photos of people, you should get permission." You may change the nature of the photo, Matt says, but sometimes if you take the picture first and show them the image afterward, that can break the tension. If there's a language barrier, point the camera and gesture toward your subject to get the message across.
• Should you pay people to take their photos? — Photographer Jonah Kessel thinks no, because even a small economic gain can change traditional lifestyles and culture. He believes that tourism should leave no mark on the local culture. We say: assess your situation and do what you think is best for that local area. If it's a street performer or local personality, for example, then payment may be expected.

Find out about more no-photo zones after the break.

Although a road trip sounds like a fun idea, sometimes sitting in an enclosed space for hours on end can get a little tedious. If you're not in the driver's seat, then here are a couple ways to pass the time:

• Catch up with friends. If you're driving with a group of friends, then share the latest goings on in their lives. Or, you can even make a call to catch up with people using your weekend minutes — that is, if the other passengers in the car don't mind.
• Play games. Of course, no road trip is complete without travel games. Play games like "I Spy" or "20 Questions" to pass the time.
• Read a book. If you can never find the time to finish that mystery novel, the the road trip is a good time for you to read it. You can also listen to an audio book if you get car sick when reading a normal book.
• Explore social media. If you're big on social media, then now's the time to start tweeting, Facebooking, and pinning to your heart's content. You can also browse through online forums like Reddit and Quora for hours of entertainment.
• Become an expert on your destination. The long car ride is the perfect time to become an expert on your destination. Get a guidebook and a map and study them in the car.
• Watch DVDs. Bring a portable DVD player or a laptop so you can watch movies or TV shows.

A bed isn't just for catching zzzs; think of this elevated, soft structure as another piece of fitness equipment you can use before or after hitting the hay in your own home, at your in-laws' house when out for a weekend visit, or at the hotel while on your Summer vacation. These moves may be basic, but they are super effective at toning your body.

Triceps Dips

— Targets arms

• Stand a few feet away from the edge of the bed, facing away. Place your hands on the mattress, fingertips pointing toward the feet.
• Begin with your torso in one straight line. From here, bend your elbows behind you, lowering your hips toward the ground. Then straighten the arms to lift the hips, squeezing the glutes at the top.
• Complete three sets of 15 to 20 reps.

Elevated Lunge

— Targets legs and tush

• Stand about three feet away from the foot of the bed, facing away. Lift your left leg up and rest the ball of your foot on the mattress (as shown in the above photo).
• From here, bend your front knee, lowering your left knee toward the ground so it's at a 90-degree angle, and then rise up.
• Complete three sets of 15 to 20 reps on each leg.

Keep reading to learn three more toning moves using your bed.