Missing travel? Here’s how to make the most of a staycation

At the moment, travelling is a tricky business.

Plenty of international borders are closed, flying presents risks and complications, and quarantines mean that in many places a holiday can be over before it has even begun.

While it (hopefully) won’t be too long until things are back to normal, it is still important to think about your vacation needs now.

If you find that a Caribbean beach vacation is on pause for the moment, taking vacation days is still really important. There’s no reason to deny yourself a break just because travelling might be off the agenda.

Still, you shouldn’t give up too early, as the pandemic situation in many countries around the world is improving, and you can travel to Greece, Portugal, or if you are more ambitious you can trip the Inca Trail with Kandoo.

Taking time off from work, relaxing, and treating yourself to a few vacation-style luxuries is good for your physical and mental health, and lets you destress, have a bit of fun, and enjoy some quality time together as a family.

Even if you just end up taking vacation days and doing nothing in particular, time away from your desk and your day job is as important as ever… more so, perhaps, after a long and stressful year.

But if you are still craving a little boost of something more traditionally vacation-flavoured, never fear, there are still plenty of options!

A staycation is a great way to replicate all the joy of a traditional trip abroad, without the hassle of having to travel there in the first place.

Here are a few tips for creating the best staycation or ‘holiday at home’:

Make it more than a weekend

Trying to cram an entire vacation’s worth of fun and excitement into one weekend isn’t going to be a tremendously relaxing experience. So, why not take a little longer to enjoy yourself?

If you’d usually go away for a week, take the whole week off and treat it like a real vacation. Eat out, see the sights, and take the time you need to really get into the holiday spirit.

Explore your home town

We might know our home town like the back of our hands, but there are always new places to discover, as well as amazing tourist attractions that you probably haven’t visited since you moved, if ever!

Take a different look at your neighbourhood and get a different perspective on your local area. You might just be surprised at what you find.

Plan and prepare

If you were heading off on a trip abroad, you’d spend time planning and preparing beforehand, making sure bags are packed, chores are done, and your out-of-office message is on. So, do the same for your staycation!

You won’t be able to relax properly if you’ve got dirty dishes in the sink or laundry to do, and putting together a holiday bag will help everything feel more authentic.

Unplug

Taking a break from social media and your devices is never a bad idea, so why not take the opportunity of a staycation to unplug a little.

Don’t check your work emails (you’ll just be tempted to reply!), and really commit to your quality vacation time. Trust us, you’ll enjoy it all the more!

This article was written by Andrea Barnhill and originally published on A Girl In Progress.