Staycations are one of the most popular trends in travel right now. The definition of a staycation can vary, but the meaning of a staycation is a short break from your everyday routine. A staycation can involve a day or two off of work exploring places or enjoying activities you don’t typically experience in your hometown. Or, a staycation can be a short weekend or weekday trip taken within a few hours’ drive from home. Staycations can win out over regular vacations on a few fronts, including less time off of work, shorter travel distances, less planning, and often less budget.
Taking a staycation can be stress-free and straightforward - here’s how to do it:
- Designate a time for your staycation. You can request a day or two off of work or make your staycation happen on the weekend. Like you would do with a regular vacation, you should block this time off on your calendar to reserve it just for a staycation.
- Decide where you want to go (if anywhere) on your staycation. How far are you interested in traveling? Do you want to stay in your own home or treat yourself to a hotel or vacation rental?
- Plan some fun staycation activities to look forward to. Think hikes, spa days, museums, restaurants, or anything else you’ve wanted to do but don’t generally have time for.
- Leave “real life” behind. Resist the urge to spend part of your staycation cleaning the house or grocery shopping. Don’t schedule a dentist appointment or anything not in the staycation spirit during this time, just because you’re off of work.
If you take a staycation during a weekday, take advantage of everyone else being at work and visit the usually super crowded places during the week. Many businesses offer discounts for services at off-peak times, so you can often find a great deal if you want to treat yourself. Taking even a small amount of time off can benefit your mental health. Staycations are perfect for parents who need a break but don’t want to go too far, people feeling burned out at work, anyone on a budget, couples in a rut, or friends looking for a reunion.
Sources: tinytrips.com
