This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Merry Maids. All opinions are 100% mine.
Staycation (stā-kā′shən)
noun
Taking time to enjoy yourself in or near your own home.
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When’s the last time you took some time off? I’m not talking about a regular weekend, or work holiday. I mean, a day or two where you make it your sole mission to just rest and relax. If you are anything like me, making out time to take a break from your busy work schedule can be just as tasking as, well, your busy work schedule. I understand that at times it may be overwhelming to manage all of your responsibilities and still make time to drop them all, but it’s so important that you make it a regular part of your lifestyle. I can personally attest to this because I’ve struggled with doing so myself, but over time I’ve learned to become more comfortable with delegating some of my responsibilities to others so that I can take a breather when I need to.
The past quarter has been one that has been filled with immense successes. However, with those successes came a bit of stress with balancing family life, practicing psychiatric medicine, and managing my businesses. I’ll admit that I didn’t always prioritize making sure I got enough sleep, regular nutritious meals, or had a clean and organized work space to support my productivity. It got to the point where I really had to do an introspective review, and I knew that I needed to take some time to myself. I am so fortunate to have the support of my amazing husband who understands that every now and then Momma just needs some alone time.
After a bit of concise planning, I set out to accomplish a successful staycation. First item on my list was to arrange for the house to be professionally cleaned. The only thing I can imagine that’s more frustrating than being stuck in a disarrayed home, is coming back from a vacation to a disarrayed home. I love my boys, but I knew I needed to call in the big guns to get the job done while I was away. That’s why I scheduled a thorough cleaning from Merry Maids. I’ve shared my previous experience with you all before, and I can still say that Merry Maids does not disappoint. It only took a couple steps, and I was able to arrange for a team of talented and professional experts to come and work their magic. Once that was resolved, I packed my carry-on bag, loaded up the car and made my way to my next destination. I checked into one of the top rated hotels in our city and silenced my phone to maximize my Me Time!
Something tells me that you could use some special time for yourself. With summer in full effect this year, you should take advantage of the reopening of establishments in your city. I curated a list of some ideas of staycation activities you can check out on your own or with your loved ones. Availability may vary depending on your location, but you’re sure to discover something new and worthwhile in the process of planning your next local getaway. Without further adieu, here is a list on How You Can Enjoy A Successful Summer Staycation:
Indoor Staycation Ideas
Take yourself out on a date.
Enjoy a meal at your favorite restaurant. Be sure to sweeten up this special outing by ordering the best desserts and cocktails on the menu. You earned it!
Learn A New Hobby
Use the time you’ve set aside for your staycation to enrich yourself with a new hobby. We are so lucky to be in a time period where so much information is accessible at our fingertips on sites like YouTube and Pinterest. So what are you waiting for? Log on and get to learning!
Kick Your Feet Up
This activity doesn’t require much preparation, mostly because you don’t have to do anything! It’s a day where you can simply go with the flow. Only rule is that there are no rules, because it’s all about you enjoying the time to do whatever you want. Free up more time to enjoy a relaxing staycation with Merry Maids and make your staycation even more relaxing by having them deep clean your home.
Outdoor Staycation Ideas
Yoga
I recommend you practise yoga not only as a form of gentle exercise, but as a way for you to be engaged in meditation and relaxation. You can enroll in a local yoga class for guided instruction, or refer to one of the thousands of yoga videos that can be found online.
Visit a park
Check out your local outdoor scenic attractions. As cliché as it may sound, there’s so much beauty in nature and it doesn’t have to cost much to get outside and get walking to clear your mind, or reflect on the things and people that mean the most to you. You can learn about parks near you by visiting your city’s official website or by searching online hashtags for beautiful scenic locations in your city.
Go Biking/Hiking/Kayaking.
If you’re inclined to try out more outdoor activities, you should consider going on a biking, hiking or kayaking trip– or all the above! If you’re not able to splurge on a new set of wheels or kayak, you can search online for local services where you can rent equipment for the duration that you need them.
Glamping
Not sure what glamping is? Well you won’t forget this word after you’ve enjoyed a serene night in the woods. Now wait, before you write off the idea of camping outdoors, consider planning an escape from the chaos by booking a night at your local Getaway House. Getaway House cabins are found throughout the country, and they offer guests a safe and reclusive experience in nature. Their cabins are modernized with electricity, running water, a stove top, fridge, and cooking and dining utensils.
Spa Day
You can’t spell “paradise” without S-P-A! Schedule a trip to your local paradise and enjoy an hour or more of some much-deserved spoiling with hot stones, aromatherapy, and a deep tissue massage. Personally, I like to make my spa appointments at some of the top rated hotels in my city. Often times they allow guests to have access to their full spa amenities for a nominal price. This may include their state of the art fitness facilities, pools, and hot tubs.
Silent Retreat
If your schedule is as busy as mine, then a few hours of quiet meditation may be hard to come about, but I assure you that it will be worthwhile. Due to the pandemic, a lot of us have established a work and personal routine that is centered around being at home. It can be challenging to create a space of complete silence and minimal distractions. There’s a remedy for that. Silent retreats are a lesser known form of staycations, but the benefits can be just as good, if not better than a more popular vacation destination.
Silent retreats can be hosted by private companies or religious organizations and can include indoor and outdoor meditation spaces. The silent retreats hosted by religious organizations often do not require any personal affiliation in order to participate in their silent retreats. However, if it is not free to the public, they may request a small fee or donation to support their facilities. A quick search engine inquiry will produce some options for you to check out. Some locations may have protocols in place to protect their residents during this pandemic period, however if you are unable to find a nearby location, you can always resort to the old-school retreat by leaving your phone at home before you head out for the day. Either way, you can benefit from the peaceful allure of being surrounded by nature. Take a note pad and camera for documenting beautiful scenery and moments of revelations.
Family-Fun Staycation Ideas
Plan a picnic.
This can be arranged at a local park or more conveniently, your own backyard! For this activity, you don’t need too much to make it memorable. A blanket, some fruit, sparkling cider, (Oh! Don’t forget the sunscreen and bug repellent.)
If you’re feeling fancy you can get a thermal-regulated picnic bag to keep all of your picnic essentials fresh. Many grocery retailers also have pre-made charcuterie boards that you can purchase to save time on slicing and dicing cheese and fruit. After all, the point of a self-care staycation is convenience!
Movie Marathon
This one is a personal favorite for our family fun nights. It’s one of those activities that we can all easily bond over. Hubby and I have done a pretty good job at raising our sons to be huge Marvel fans, so it makes movie nights even more special. There are countless subscription services available for you to choose from. You can make your movie marathon more fun by picking a theme for the day that all the movies should be related to.
Whether you decide to embark on a solo staycation or indulge in some fun and relaxation with your loved ones, you’re sure to make memories that will have you eager to plan your next local getaway. What would your ideal staycation look like? I’d love to hear from you all about how you take time to care for yourself. Leave a comment down below or feel free to share your ideas with me via direct message on Instagram.
