5 Tips for Planning the Best Staycation
Staycations soared in popularity after the financial crisis between 2007 and 2010. They’ve become a staple in many households as an easy and affordable way to take vacations.
Since everyone probably needs a little getaway right about now – why not just take one at home? Here are five tips and tricks on how to plan a staycation.
#1 Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!
The best staycations start with a great plan. There’s no understating this step. If you want to have a staycation free of responsibility and worry, you have to plan ahead.
Schedule a babysitter or pet-sitter if you’re wanting a break from child and pet rearing. Create an itinerary – or don’t, depending on your staycation style. Buy all the food and drinks you’ll need, pick out a new book you want to read, and knock out all the chores. Once you start your staycation, you don’t want anything to pull you away from it.
#2 Choose a Staycation Theme
Whether you’re wanting a beach trip, a stay in a cozy cottage, or a 4-star resort experience, there are no limitations to what you can do with a staycation. You’re only limited by the bounds of your imagination. Here are some fun theme ideas to get you started:
- Hometown Tourist. Wherever you live, get out and do all the things that tourists do. Experience your city as if you were a visitor and see all the beautiful things your city has to offer.
- Spa and Resort. There are plenty of ways to mimic this, including booking with a spa in your city, couple’s massages, candlelit baths, manicures/pedicures, and more.
- The Great Outdoors. National parks and campgrounds are located all over the country and can be relatively inexpensive. Pack your tent, a bunch of supplies, and hit the great outdoors.
- Summer Camp. This is a fun and exciting idea for just adults or the whole family. Play outdoor games, sleep in a tent in the backyard, tell ghost stories, roast marshmallows, and have a blast!
#3 Unplug
This is one of the most vital and often overlooked staycation tips. Even if you’re the type of person who works through vacations, you should still consider giving this a try. The reason you’re doing this is so you can get a break. Unplugging is a great way to recenter and reconnect with your life.
Tell everyone you’re going to be unreachable, put your phone on airplane mode, and enjoy some much-needed relaxation free of responsibilities.
#4 Stay for a While
Don’t just take the weekend. If you can manage it, try to take off four days or more. If you just take two or three days to enjoy your staycation – how is that any different from a weekend off?
Vacations should last longer than your typical weekend. Since you’re staying home, reap the benefits and make it feel like a vacation. If you’re super committed and have the ability, try to take off for an entire week and really give yourself time to unwind.
#5 Relax and Enjoy Yourself!
This last one may seem obvious, but it’s probably the most important. You need to relax and have fun. You didn’t plan a staycation so you could be stressed out the whole time. You didn’t do all this work to immediately need another staycation just to recover from the first one.
Do the things that make you happy. Choose the theme that best fits your lifestyle and desired vacation. And, as with anything, don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of your staycation happiness.
If you’re looking for a home in Jacksonville or anywhere in Northeast Florida, contact the Welch Team today. We can help you find the Florida staycation spot of your dreams!
