Planning the Perfect Staycation
While perhaps many of us were looking forward to summer vacations, plans change! That doesn’t mean you can’t treat your family to a wonderful staycation at home. In fact, in 2018 more than half of Americans reported that they had taken a “staycation” by choice instead of traveling outside of their city. Keep your family safe & healthy while still unplugging and escaping reality for a bit. Here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect staycation.
Start with a Clean House
Whether you recruit the family to help deep-clean the day before your staycation or you treat yourself to a cleaning service, starting with a freshly cleaned house will help eliminate some of the stress you might normally feel in your daily life. Then you can enjoy your staycation without dust, dirt, clutter etc. You could even try Feng Shui by moving items around in your home to make it feel like a different place!
Don’t Check Your Email
A LinkedIn study has shown that the majority of U.S. professionals say they check in with work by phone or email while on vacation. Instead, unplug during your staycation! Don’t check your work email and, if you’re feeling really brave, turn your phone off completely as if you are somewhere remote with no service. It’s always good to have one phone on just for emergencies but the emails and text messages can wait, you’re out of office! (even if you are working from home day-to-day right now)
Have a Spa Day
For many of us, vacations are about relaxing, and what is more relaxing than a spa day? Face masks, pedicures, and deep breaths. Light some candles and let the whole gang hang out in slippers and bathrobes all day. And this is fun the whole family can participate in! Have the kiddos put a facemask on dad or paint mom’s toenails and let the laughs fly and the memories be made! Or, have a couples spa day with all the same offerings, plus perhaps a glass of bubbly.
Movie Marathon
Pretend you’re spending the day at the movies by creating a lineup of your favorite films or watch a trilogy in order. Loosen up whatever rules you have on junk food just for the day- pop popcorn and indulge in your candy of choice. If you have little ones, they might especially like building a fort out of blankets and pillows to watch movies from! Or, you could even watch from a makeshift outdoor theatre.
Plan an Exciting Meal
One of the exciting things about vacations is eating and drinking things you wouldn’t normally have at home. Whether you cook something elaborate or order delivery from that new restaurant down the street, plan a meal you can look forward to that helps you escape the norm. For couples, it might be fun to have one person make a surprise “gourmet” dinner while the other handles cocktails and dessert.
Get Outside
Take a hike or go for a bike ride while practicing any social distancing regulations that may still be in place where you live. Getting outside and soaking up some sun is a great way to disconnect from everyday stressors. And ultimately- isn’t that what vacations are for? It may also be easier to allow yourself to relax once you’ve gotten some exercise in and the endorphins are pumping.
Pitch a Tent
Your tent doesn’t have to be reserved for a far-away campground- set it up in your background or even in the living room to feel like you’re escaping without going anywhere. Dust off the sleeping bags, replace the batteries in the flashlight and set up your tent in your area of choice. If you have an outdoor firepit, roast s’mores and tell campfire stories to make it feel like a true camping experience!
The weather is warming up and many of us need a break from stress. Rest assured you can refresh your mind and body without even leaving your home with a staycation!