Regardless of your ideal destination, vacations allow for the break from reality of stress and routine that is essential for our well-being. However, sometimes the added stress of planning and affording a trip can make traveling an arduous task. And, in the era of COVID-19 precautions and travel restrictions, taking a proper vacation might not be feasible. Fortunately, you don’t always need a change of scenery in order to properly relax, rest, and recharge. A staycation is an excellent way to hit the reset button without leaving home and emptying your bank account on lavish travel costs. Here are a few tips and essentials for the perfect staycation.
Even though you aren’t leaving town, treat it exactly the same way you would if you were. Whether it’s just for a day or an entire week, be intentional about carving out that time specifically for yourself. Request time off from your employer in advance. Set up an automated email so your coworkers or clients know you are unavailable. Most importantly, be sure to turn off or mute all work-related notifications during your staycation, as there is no worse way to interrupt your relaxation than a constant stream of work emails.
Occasionally, one of the best ways to get into that vacation state-of-mind is to simply turn your brain off for a bit. Binge a new TV series or re-watch an old favorite. Make a list of movies you have been wanting to see and check them off one by one, or get lost in a good book. Do not underestimate the healing power of a good nap every once in a while, either. Regardless, do something you enjoy that allows you to focus on anything other than what is going on at work.
A key component of any vacation is treating yourself, so why not indulge at home, too? Throw yourself an at-home spa day complete with all of the self-care essentials. Go all out on a fancy meal, or opt for big portions of your favorite comfort food meals (it is comfort food, after all). End your day by making yourself the kind of fancy cocktail (or mocktail!) you save for special occasions. Whatever you prefer, a staycation is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to the simple luxuries you deserve.
Become a tourist in your own neighborhood and explore some of the local favorites. Pay a visit to your local record store, take a tour of your neighborhood’s food scene, or try out a new coffee shop for the first time. From innovative breweries to eclectic bookstores, our community is the perfect setting for an exciting staycation with its notably long list of interesting places to explore.
For a lot of us, the daily grind of work and responsibilities can leave us either too busy or simply too tired to put the extra effort into the things we enjoy doing. Perhaps you have a passion project that stress and busyness has put on the backburner one too many times, or a favorite hobby that you have not been able to do in months. Whether you are an artist, writer, or anything in between, take advantage of this time away from your busy routine to finally give your passions the necessary attention.
Without a doubt, vacations are absolutely essential for our overall well-being and productivity, but you don’t have to travel hundreds of miles or spend a lot of money to vacation. Rather, vacations are more about the intentionality of time spent focusing on you. With our luxurious amenities, beautiful floorplans, and convenient location within the sprightly Longmont community, our apartments at VerraWest are perfect for the at-home getaway of your dreams. If you are interested in learning more or arranging a tour, please contact our team.