Affordable Staycation Tips
by Jesse Clark, Soulful Travel
The term ‘staycation’ has never been so widely used before. The coronavirus pandemic has waylaid travel plans and left many of us with a bare-bones budget anyway. Fortunately, none of this means that you have to completely abandon your entertainment or relaxation plans. When money is tight, sticking close to home may be just what you need to ease stress and anxiety in these most uncertain times. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your anti-travel plans.
Give yourself a spa day.
Herbage recommends infused bath bombs, which are a great addition to your self-care arsenal. A warm bath, a charcoal facemask, deep conditioning treatment, and a few candles will also go a long way toward helping you relax.
Learn yoga.
If you need to unwind, yoga is the best way to loosen up. It’s free, and, as we know yoga explains, even a simple 10-minute yoga routine can help you shake off the chaos of the day. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to mend the mind and body, and you learn a little bit about yourself as you become more able to recognize how emotional stress affects you internally.
Indulge in online shopping.
When you feel like a candle at the end of its wick, one surefire way to reignite your spark is with a little retail therapy. But when your budget says canned food but your taste screams caviar, you’ll have to find a few ways to shop ’til you drop without dropping the bomb on your bills. The solution: shop online at major retailers, like Belk. Between the site’s expansive clearance selection and deals and promo codes you can find online, you can indulge without guilt.
Visit friends.
The Wonderoak blog says it beautifully: “Friendship is the most important form of self-care you can invest in.” Spend some of the time you would spend on the road or in the air with friends and family. If you are concerned about spreading the virus, keep your gatherings outdoors and insist on wearing masks (bonus points if they are funny) and staying six feet apart.
Eat well.
Food is fuel for the body and soul, and if you plan to have friends over, you will always make memories around the table. Eat well and eat often. If you saved money for a trip that you can’t take, plan to spend it building an outdoor kitchen. This Old House estimates that this will cost $800 plus accessories and fixtures, but this is a small investment in your quality of life. Make sure that you have plenty of healthy snacks on hand for your guests or when you are winding down after an evening of camaraderie.
Look for free entertainment.
Have a week off? Use it wisely and affordably by looking for free entertainment. Many streaming services offer 30 days at no cost, and there are likely plenty of parks and natural areas in your hometown to take advantage of. You can also sign up for meal kits and snack boxes, several of which offer complimentary first delivery. The trick here is to remember to cancel before your trial period is up.
Your stay-at-home vacation does not have to be void of memories. From spending time with friends and family to learning how to do yoga, the above ideas are great ways to practice self-care when a beach getaway isn’t in the cards. By prioritizing yourself, you’ll beat pandemic burnout and will be energized and ready to tackle the next leg of this global crisis.
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