Why Staycations Are Great for Stress Relief

Even when you love your job, there’s a good chance you’re looking forward to a much-needed vacation. A few days away for some R and R can help prevent burnout and allow you to return to work feeling more rejuvenated and ready to take on fresh challenges.

But have you ever found yourself thinking that you need a vacation to recover from your vacation? Sometimes, traveling can feel like just as much work as actually going to work. Dealing with luggage, airports, delays, and everything else that comes with taking a trip can leave you feeling like you’d rather just stay home—and many people are doing just that and scheduling staycations instead.

What is a staycation? It’s a vacation, but instead of venturing to some far-flung location, you stay home and enjoy your own community. The idea is to give yourself a break and unwind, recharge your batteries, and enjoy your local area without the hassles of traveling.

In fact, in many ways, a staycation might be the ultimate stressbuster and do more for your well-being than an extravagant trip ever could. Not convinced? Check out these benefits and staycation ideas to see how you might benefit from sticking close to home when using your PTO.

3 Ways a Staycation Benefits Your Mental Well-Being

There’s a lot to be said for the change of scenery and new experiences that come with travel, and a staycation doesn’t mean sacrificing that personal growth. In fact, depending on how you choose to spend your free time, you may even return to your routine feeling more inspired and fulfilled.

How can a few days at home do that?

1. Eliminate Travel Stress

When you take a staycation, you’re on your own timetable. You don’t need to worry about delayed flights, lost bags, or crowds. There’s no need to rush, and you’re not at the mercy of factors outside your control.

2. Choose What Makes You Happy

When you’re rushing from place to place or task to task every day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Daily life can also be exhausting and keep you from doing the things you most enjoy. During a staycation, you can choose activities that you want to do, whether it’s tackling the stack of books next to your bed, lingering at the local coffee shop with a friend, or hiking a nearby trail.

A staycation is the ideal time to spend time on activities that you enjoy but don’t typically get a chance to do. Focus on self-care and things that make you feel relaxed, fulfilled, and happy, whether it’s a favorite hobby or just unwinding at a local spa or mineral hot springs

3. Time for Rest

All too often, when we travel, we’re so focused on seeing and doing “everything” in the destination that there’s no real time for rest and relaxation. Combine that with the fact that many people don’t always sleep well when away from home, and it’s no wonder so many of us arrive home feeling worse than when we left.

A staycation provides that time for uninterrupted rest. Whether you choose to stay at home or book a room in a local hotel for a night, this is the ideal time to just rest, get plenty of sleep, and take care of yourself. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do for your stress levels!

The Best Ways to Relieve Stress on a Staycation

If you choose a staycation, the most important thing to do is treat it like any other trip. This means disconnecting from work and other daily sources of stress. Even though you’re staying local, that doesn’t mean your boss and coworkers can have access to you. Commit to unplugging and living in the moment, like you would if you were staying at a far-flung resort.

The next step is to create an itinerary. What are the things you want to do while on your staycation? You don’t have to pack every second with activities (and shouldn’t), but do give yourself something to look forward to by planning an experience or adventure.

Because you want to prioritize self-care, consider scheduling a massage or visit to local mineral hot springs. Research shows that soaking in a hot spring, for example, can reduce stress and pain levels, help improve sleep, and benefit your overall physical and mental well-being.

A staycation is the ideal time to act like a tourist in your own tone. Is there a restaurant you’ve always wanted to visit or a museum you’ve never explored? Now’s a great time to make that happen. Schedule a sightseeing tour, take a day trip to a nearby attraction, or just wander your city on your own and see what you can discover. You’ll gain a new appreciation for your home and have a good time.

Above all, your staycation should focus on relaxation and taking a break. You don’t have to fly to the other side of the world for a stress reset, and you might just find that hanging out close to home is exactly what you needed to return to work refreshed.

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