Staycation Ideas: Vacationing at Home During Quarantine
Most of us have had our plans for vacation cancelled or postponed indefinitely to help keep ourselves and our community safe. That is completely understandable (and the right thing to do) and it puts us in a situation of trying to manage the new normal without much “reset” time. Even before the pandemic, Americans could be described as an under-vacationed group and hence, not experiencing the benefits of being away from work such as more creativity and higher energy. So how do you create an atmosphere of vacation at home so that you can recharge and renew your energy?
Ask yourself - what were you looking forward to the most on your vacation?
Was it trying new food? Seeing new landscapes? Being out in nature? Getting nice drinks at fancy bars? Lounging around on the beach with a magazine? Getting at the heart of what you were looking forward to in that vacation will help make a staycation more satisfying. And you’re right - it won’t be exactly like the real thing but it doesn’t mean it’s not worth giving yourself some time off in any way that you can right now.
Take time off work if possible.
You may not have the ability to take time off work at the moment so all of the suggestions in this post can be done over the weekend. However, if you can take some time off, consider doing so. Even just a day can help you find a sense of vacation, or at least a true break away from your job. Quick reminder - even if you absolutely love your job, it’s healthy to take time away from it :)
Consider these alternatives:
Backpacking trip cancelled? Try a “virtual” hike.
No, not the one where you just watch someone else hike on the computer. But picking a trail that you want or plan to do in the future and instead of going there to do it now, do the mileage either in your neighborhood or at a local park. Once you “reach” different campsites or trail-heads (aka reach the mileage designated for that hike), look up photos of that area, learn its history, and share what you’ve learned with friends and family. You can even ask them if they want to join you in reaching the mileage together! FaceTime or talk on the phone once you’ve each completed the hike for the day to make it more fun. I’m currently planning a virtual hike, so I included how I am organizing that for you to reference!
Same with camping - try some indoor or backyard camping!
Tap into your inner child and use your imagination to create the experience. Remember how you could make a whole world in your living room as a kid? Who said we had to stop doing that as an adult.
Had a beach trip planned? Spend a day out by a beautiful tree or lake.
Ah, nothing like lounging on the beach with a good book. Out here in Michigan, you might be able to find a spot by a lake where you can safely enjoy some sun and water while still being safe and socially distancing. But even if it’s not by a lake, you can find a sweet spot under a tree to set up your towel and get lost in the rustling sound of the leaves in the breeze as you would in the crashing of the waves. With the weather starting to get warm again, a day like this might be just what you need. Allow yourself to listen to the nature around you and allow yourself to do nothing but to be there and read a magazine or book if that’s your thing. Maybe bring out your Bluetooth speaker if you were planning to listen to some tunes while on the beach. And to give the same effect of the ocean mist, you can bring a spray bottle with some cool water to mist off when the sun gets too warm.
Were you looking forward to getting away? You can still do that! Find a town or area near you that you’ve not visited before.
Look up some landmarks online and save some articles about its history. Pack a car-friendly lunch and head out for a drive! No need to get out of the car, simply explore the area via your vehicle. Then find a safe spot to park, break out that lunch and read about the history of the town using the saved articles. Take note of shops or places you’re excited to visit once things open up again. You might be surprised at how much you learn about the area near you and it might give you a better appreciation for local history.
Was this going to be a spa pampering trip? Create a relaxing atmosphere in your home.
There are no shortages of great ideas for an at home spa on the internet, including at home spa ideas you can do in an inexpensive way. Think about what treatment you were most excited about and check out online if there’s a way to replicate something similar at home. It could be that certain things are not possible to do at home, which is a bummer, but don’t let that stop you from treating yourself. You don’t even have to buy new things - ask your friends if they have nailpolish, bath salts, or candles you could use for your spa day. They can safely leave the items by the front door or mailbox for you to pick up without any contact, you can then leave the items in your car for three or more days or disinfect the containers, and then enjoy a lovely spa day at home.
Were you taking the kids to Disney Land? Have fun building and playing with rides in the house.
Having fun with kids is much more relaxing when there’s no lesson, teaching or working pressure surrounding it. Taking time off to decorate old moving or Amazon cardboard boxes into “rides” can be a fun and relaxing activity for the whole family. Turn on some Disney music, put out some fun snacks, and then take the cardboard box for a ride around the room - moving side to side if it’s a pretend roller coaster or sliding down the stairs if it’s a “water slide”. Allow yourself to engage in your imagination. Your kids will likely easily join in on such fun.
As with all of these alternatives, I think it’s important to remember that they are exactly that - alternatives.
The more you can let go of comparing your planned vacation with the options at home, the quicker you can start enjoying real time off. Easier said than done, of course, so maybe doing some self-compassion at the moment can help. What I like about the self-compassion break is that it reminds me that when things go wrong in life, this is normal. That pain is part of life and part of being human. Having to cancel vacation plans and to lose the way we were going to relax doesn’t mean that we should lose the opportunity to relax altogether. There is still something useful we can get from taking real time off. Even if it’s in our house.
And remember, we are here for you even now. Especially now. If it’s empathy and support you are seeking and/or if you need someone to help you problem solve and plan. Book an appointment or a free 15 minute check-in anytime.
Click here to learn more about stress counseling.
