Who says you have to hit the road to have fun?  With travel restrictions and COVID requirements, our options seem limited… but how limited are they really? A staycation might be just what you need.

Take a few days off to unplug and relax. Are you close to a sparsely visited beach? Dig your toes in the sand and soak up the sun and salt air. Let the sound of the waves wash over you… How about a forest?

Stuck at home? Stock up on your favorite foods and beverages, pull out your lawn chair or hammock, a good book, and slather on the sunscreen. Turn on some music and dance – do something that makes you feel good, that makes you happy. Look online for hiking trails or waterfalls nearby, rediscover your community.

No pool but you have little kids? 

Fill up a kiddie pool and give them some toys. Big kids? Put up a volleyball net, find a set of horseshoes – find something to entice them to relinquish their game controllers. Pitch a tent in your backyard (my favorite) and roast marshmallows over the grill. Too hot? Pull out the hose and set up a sprinkler. Give your children water guns or water balloons and just have fun. Dig out your family board games or playing cards, pull out some watercolors and try face painting, pull out the blender and make smoothies… the possibilities are as endless as your imagination!

Take a moment to think about the things you love about vacation. 

Can you replicate them in some way?  Use paper plates so you don’t have to wash dishes. Order in so you don’t have to cook. Clear out your bathroom, arrange some candles and flowers, and take a nice long soak in the tub. Give yourself a mani/pedi and put on a face mask. Unplug the phone and just check out.

Think of the positives: you won’t run into heavy traffic or have to deal with crowded planes. There will be no running to your gate dragging a hundred pounds of luggage behind you. You won’t have to board the dog or come home to dead plants. Your children can act out and you won’t have to apologize to anyone! All the comforts of home… because you ARE at home. And think of all the money you’re saving that can go towards NEXT year’s vacation!