Everyone needs a vacation. That’s a fact. We all need a break from the hustle and bustle of life and work, where we’re given personal time to fully rest and recuperate mentally and physically. If you’re dreading the idea of having to plan out a destination vacation, a staycation may just be the right thing for you.
Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce your environmental impact, or simply want to take a break without traveling far, here’s everything you need to know about how to plan the best staycation.
What is a staycation?
A type of vacation where you stay at home or in your local area rather than traveling to a different location. The goal of a staycation is to take a break from the daily routine, relax, and enjoy some leisure time without the hassle and expense of travel.
Staycations can involve many different activities, such as visiting local attractions, trying new restaurants, going to the movies, or simply relaxing at home. They can also be a good opportunity to catch up on household projects or hobbies that you haven’t had time for.
Benefits of a staycation?
Staycations can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional vacations, as they eliminate the need for travel expenses such as airfare, lodging, and transportation. They can also be a good option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint or who are looking for a more environmentally-friendly way to take a break. Overall, staycations are a fun and convenient way to enjoy a vacation without leaving your hometown.
Create a plan
For starters, you must create or have some sort of idea of what you are looking for. You can plan for days and weeks, although if you are unaware of what exactly it is you are feeling, wanting, or needing, you typically won’t go anywhere with executing a plan.
Here are 3 helpful questions to get you thinking and ready to plan the best staycation.
How do you feel?
What feeling does your body and/or mind keep revisiting? You never realize how important this question is in regard to traveling until you’ve agreed to a vacation away from home when all you really needed was quiet time on the couch watching your favorite show and more sleep.
So do yourself a favor and ask yourself: Am I feeling overwhelmed, tired, motivated, energetic, calm, etc?
What do you need?
If you’re feeling tired, you may simply need rest. If you’re feeling motivated but are in need of time to channel your inner creative self, you may want to plan out your staycation considering the projects you’ve been wanting to start or finish. How you feel will determine what you need, simply put.
What do you want?
If you’re past knowing how you feel and know what you need, you’re hopefully not in a state of burnout. I like to think that when you’re consistently checking in on yourself, you have a more consistent plan for meeting your needs. If that’s the case for you, I’m glad. If not, take the time to revisit the first two questions.
Knowing what you want from your vacation experience is important, in order to have realistic expectations. If you want to relax, book yourself a massage. If you want adventure, go on a hiking trip. The list is plentiful.
Staycation ideas
By now I hope you’ve taken the time to evaluate the questions above thoroughly. Planning a vacation regardless of where you’re going can be planned effectively when considering the questions I’ve listed above, I can attest to it.
If you’re ready to plan the best staycation yet, here’s a wonderful list of ideas to get you started.
Looking for self-care
- Have a home-spa
- Book a spa
- Catch up on sleep
- Meal prep for the week
- Make your favorite relaxing tea
- Create a reading list
- Start a daily journal
- Catch up on your favorite TV shows
- Have a movie night
- Do a major cleaning
Looking to eat & socialize
- Have brunch at your favorite spot
- Find a new coffee shop
- Find a new dessert shop
- Find a local night market
- Go on a local food tour
- Have a picnic
- Host a game night
Looking to be active
- Explore a new park
- Tour new areas of your city
- Go for a bike ride
- Join a hiking group
- Elevate your gym workout
- Join a group fitness class
- Go ice skating
Looking for creativity
- Visit a museum
- Visit your local library
- Check out cultural attractions in your city
- Take a camera around the city
- Sign up for a day class
- Go grocery shopping
- Go clothing shopping
- Try a new recipe
- Start or finish a DIY project
- Have a crafts night
- Redesign your home space
Planning a staycation with realistic expectations considering your situation and state of mind can be a great saving grace and one that’ll be greatly appreciated in the long run. A vacation is what you make it, regardless of where you go and how much you spend. Being in the comforts of home and your own city can unravel many gems you would have not known if you were to travel elsewhere. From the list I’ve created, I hope these ideas spark you to plan the most rejuvenating staycation and many more to come.
My final point: staycations are wonderful, so never sleep on them!
