For the Love of Lists

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Staycation Ideas for Every Schedule

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Staycation Ideas

Sometimes as much as we’d love to be whisked off to a beach somewhere, we don’t have the time, budget, or even the energy to steal away for an extended period.  The bright side is that when things get truly hectic we can often subside the stress with a mental escape or just a new perspective.   If you’re in need of a change of pace, you need to look no further than your own backyard.  Consider these options to escape for a day, or even just an afternoon.

Explore Your Home Town

Every time I go to New York City, I think about how I’ve never been inside the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building.  For 18 years I lived within an hour’s train ride of these famous attractions, yet I never took advantage of them. It makes me wonder what else I’ve taken for granted around me in the past.  Thanks to military life, however, I’ve been quickly learning to explore my surroundings every chance I get.  Whether you have a city at your disposal or not, consider taking time to explore your local area and theming a day around new experiences.  Here are some ideas to get you started:
  • Research local sites
    • Historical places
    • Museums
    • Theaters
    • Tourist spots (landmarks, popular areas)
    • Parks, zoos, aquariums
  • Try out new restaurants
    • Regional staples
    • Ethnic food
    • Food experiences (tapas, brunch buffets, wine pairings)
  • Take advantage of local (seasonal) activities
    • Ice skating, skiing
    • River tubing, sandcastle competitions
    • Apple picking, corn mazes
    • Festivals, fairs, conventions
  • Plan your day around novelty
    • Take back roads or non-typical routes
    • Take photos of each place you go and new facets of the town you see
    • Stow technology when possible to focus on experiencing your surroundings
    • Think like a first-time visitor
    • If all possibilities in your town have been exhausted, see what’s available in an hour radius
    • Keep a playlist handy for the car to keep the day upbeat/relaxing

Bring the Vacation to You

Years ago I came up with a unique Christmas idea for my aunt who’d been dreaming of a Hawaiian vacation: Hawaii in a box.  I loaded the gift with Hawaiian CD’s, recipes, movies, a calendar, coconut cups, a lei, and anything else I could think of that would remind her of the tropics.  I thought that even if I couldn’t afford tickets, this at least could help her mentally enjoy the trip whenever she chose.  I’ve continued this idea whenever my husband and I need a fun date night at home.  All it takes is a little creativity and imagination.  The same goes for treating any dose of free time as your own personal vacation, be it a week or even just an hour.  Focus on what relaxes you most and check out the following ideas:

  •  Create a themed day
    • Choose a location, experience, or memory to base it on (ex. Hawaii, Disneyland, grandma’s house)
    • Match food, music, and activities
    • Decorate your area with fun crafts or dress to the theme
  • Take advantage of outdoor activities
    • Backyard camping, hiking
    • Pools, sprinklers, local beach (if you’re lucky)
    • Picnic
  • Plan a day of stay-at-home fun
    • Movie/TV marathon
    • Arts & crafts
    • Childhood favorites (toys, books, games)
  • Have an at-home spa day
    • Sleep in
    • Create DIY salon services (mani/pedi, facial scrubs)
    • Take a relaxing bath
    • Listen to your favorite calm music
  • Enjoy a reflective retreat (personal, family, couples)
    • Gather a list of questions/prompts you can ask yourselves
    • Carve out time away from technology and limit distractions
    • Practice techniques such as journaling, meditation, and mindfulness

Remember, any of these ideas can be used on your own, with family, or with a group of friends.  It all depends on how you like to spend your “vacations”.  Even an hour once a week spent on personal time will greatly relieve stress.  So mark out some time and focus your attention on the experiences; treat it as an escape from your normal world.  As for me, I think I see a Harry Potter-themed staycation in my future!

What ideas do you have for staycations?  Share them in the comments below!