Staycations are a great way to take a break from routine, and create delightful, relaxing vacation at home, and then pocket the savings.
The effort involved in organizing a trip can take time and energy, not to mention expense. If you're open to a more leisurely way to go on vacation, try a staycation-a fun-filled furlough at home that is both destressing and cost-efficient. Here are tips to plan a creative and awesome getaway without leaving the comforts of your home.
Easy Ways to Vacation at Home
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Turn off and unplug -- to make it truly relaxing, turn off the computer, don't check email, or do housework and other chores. Consider putting the snail mail on hold and turn off the news.
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Create a spa environment at home -- Splurge on spa-like amenities like a vase of flowers, scented lotions and scrubs, an in-home pedicure kit, make you own fruit-flavored filter water, and fill the room with aromatherapy scents and candles. Hire a massage therapist who makes house calls. Order in "destination-worthy" dinner, or pick up succulent steaks and crabs.
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Take long, hot baths and enjoy a glass of wine or a hot cup of tea. Be sure to add candles to heighten the relaxing ambiance. And add soft music in the background.
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Be a tourist -- make a list of monuments, museums, and local exhibitions or shows you want to see. Then plan an excursion, lunch out with special friends, a movie in the evening.
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Take a hike -- or ride the bike through a local green space and enjoy the beauty of a garden, and bring a picnic lunch.
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Read a good book - no matter your favorite reads, stock up or catch up on books that you've put off reading. Save money with a library book loan. Find a comfy chair, or hammock and treat yourself to the picnic lunch and escape into the story.
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Take a class in writing, photography, cooking. Learn to play golf, tennis, or anther sport. Or go berry or peach picking at a local farm, and go home to bake a pie.
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Escape by playing vacation music. Pretend you're strolling the beaches of Bahia, play the classic bossa nova of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Or if you like a more country atmosphere, play music by Willie Nelson or another country artist.
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Camp out in your backyard. Borrow a tent, and heat up the grill. Pack drinks in thermoses and snacks in Ziploc bags. Bring sleeping bags or blankets, flashlights, and mosquito repellent. Be sure to bring marshmallows for roasting.
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Carol Marak, aging advocate and editor at Seniorcare.com. She's earned a Certificate in the Fundamentals of Gerontology from UC Davis, School of Gerontology.
