Needing to practice social distancing and limiting travel puts a damper on vacations. If you are wondering how to staycation during this time of social distancing, keep on reading!
What Is a “Staycation”?
“Staycation” is a word developed in the early 2000s and inducted into the English language in 2009 when it was added to Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary. The term created by morphing together “stay-at-home” and “vacation,” is also known as a portmanteau. A staycation is a time spent close to home, rather than taking a trip that requires an overnight stay elsewhere. This can mean a day-trip near home, or even staying in the vicinity of your own property.
Staycations became popular during the financial crisis in the United States from 2007-2010, especially when gas prices increased and people wanted to limit their travel because of it. During our current health crisis, staycations are a great solution to still having a vacation while social distancing.
How to Staycation During This Time of Social Distancing
What Types Of Activities Can Happen On A Staycation?
A staycation can happen in many ways. Mainly, it depends on the type of vacation you would want. It can involve driving to a nearby amusement park or beach, or simply staying home. During this time of social distancing, most staycations this year will likely be staying home. Or in the neighborhood depending on where you live and the quarantine restrictions in place. For those who are able to safely social distance at a nearby nature park or beach. Those are great places to spend the day, while safely following guidelines. However, there will be plenty of areas where that is not possible.
To get the full feeling of a vacation, it can help to put the rest of the world on hold. This can be difficult due to the current ‘norm’ of working from home. Consider putting your phone on do not disturb, set up an away message on your email, and avoid all media. You could even hide all the clocks to really get the feel of a timeless vacation.
While in your home secluded from the world, you might find yourself wanting to get the feeling of an island getaway. Picture yourself in an all-inclusive resort and think about the aspects you want to have in your staycation. Perhaps order every meal to get delivered so you do not have to think about cooking. Hideaway all your rugs so it feels like a whole new floor your feet are walking on. Create the perfect vacation soundtrack to be background noise and set the atmosphere to a whole new level. You could even change your home decor to really alter the environment.
There are so many ways to channel your ideal vacation into a staycation during this time of social distancing. From beach resort to a yoga retreat to a camping trip in your own backyard. Choose your ideal and there are certainly ways to make it happen.
Benefits Of A Staycation
Because of our current health crisis, many of us have limitations in the type of leisure activities we can do, especially when spring and summer are typically the times that people travel. Setting up your own staycation can give you back some of that leisure to rejuvenate yourself to continue working and caring for your loved ones.
In general, staycations are less stressful for many people due to the limited expenses and lack of significant travel, which can be anxiety-inducing for many people. It can also support your local businesses and community tourism, which is a win-win for the entire area. Lastly, it can make a huge impact on the environment. Less travel means fewer carbon emissions, which as we know, have been severely impacting our world.
