Staycations: Make yourself at home

Are you planning to spend your vacation at home this summer ? Staycations, or holidays spent at home, enable us to enjoy quality time in or near the house without the stress of work. It can help people save money on travel plans., bypass the well-known queues and traffic, and provide time to tackle longstanding housework tasks. Contrary to common belief, a staycation doesn't only involve staying at one's own house for accommodation. It can be done in hotels or rental homes in your own city or very near your town.

The main difference between a staycation and a traditional vacation is that, during a staycation, the traveler spends just a brief amount of time away from home (typically less than a day) before returning to sleep. Certain hosting services specialise in offering all-day entertainment either on-site or within their facilities for their guests. Here are four activity ideas to keep you entertained and make the most of your time.

1. Self-care activities

   Incorporating personal wellness and well-being practices into your daily routine is an exciting journey that can transform your life! Besides catching up on your favorite TV or streaming shows, here are some ways to get started:

   - Getting enough sleep and rest : During staycations, sleeping in and relaxing in bed is perfectly acceptable. It can be beneficial to dedicate a few minutes each day to meditation as well.

   - Preparing scented baths: Using candles, essential oils, scented flowers and perfumes to make comfy bubble baths in which you can relax, unwind and smell good!

   - Decorating beds and sleeping places: Purposefully lay down your bed like in a hotel room setting. Carefully add drops of scented perfumes on the fresh bedsheets and give yourself a relaxation treat.

   - Going to spas or hammams or saunas: These health and beauty institutions are known for their benefits on wellbeing such as relaxation, weight management, physical energy boost and so forth.

   - Getting massages: Depending on the body part involved, massages are great ways to improve sleep, relieve stress and pain as well as promote general good health.

   - Taking care of your body: Good personal hygiene can help you increase your self-esteem and raise your positivity levels. Few of these feel-good practices include: manicure, pedicure, shopping, hairstyling, grooming (for men) etc.

   
   

2. Physical activities

   With a break from work and plenty of time on your hands, it might be the perfect time to get back to shape and be full of beans. You can sign up for various programs at sporting facilities like gyms; tennis, boxing or golf clubs; Yoga clubs; and cross-training sessions. You can also join special classes right from the comfort of your home. With numerous personal trainers and fitness professionals offering in-person or online home-based services, the possibilities are endless! Why not take invigorating early morning or late afternoon strolls around your neighborhood to keep moving? And if you're lucky enough to live near mountains, hills, or other elevations, gear up for thrilling adventures like hiking, rock climbing, camping/glamping, or nordic walking. Let's get active and have fun!

   
   

3. Educational activities

   You can invest your time in various activities to expand your knowledge and improve both personal and professional skills.

   1. Online classes

      Websites like Coursera, Khan Academy, and Udemy offer a diverse selection of courses in areas such as technical, technological, financial, social, and personal development skills. They collaborate with universities, lecturers, and sometimes industry professionals. Additionally, some higher education institutions or universities offer free or low-cost courses to the public on their websites. For example, you can access pre-recorded lectures on the MIT OpenCourseWare site or Harvard Online Courses.

      
      

   2. Podcasting / Vlogging

      For our intrepid readers who appreciate social media, you might think about starting a podcast or creating videos on subjects of your choice. Common topics for these media formats include home organization, cooking, audiobook readings, makeup tutorials, reviews of books, movies, or games, travel guides or tips, and more. You can use platforms like YouTube, Spotify, or various podcast services to stream or broadcast your content.

      

   3. Blogging / Litterature

      If you're bursting with excitement to share information, handy tips, and guide others, why not dive into starting a blog or writing a book? And do not worry about your tech skills! With amazing modern integrated web design platforms like Wix, you can swiftly design a stunning website. Plus, AI tools are here to help you craft full content on any topic you choose. And, if you're up for it, you can even monetize these and turn them into incredible sources of income on the long term.

      
      

   4. Workshop classes

      Depending on where you are, you can find a wide variety of workshops aimed at gaining or improving practical skills in activities such as candle and soap making, knitting, t-shirt design, flower arranging, sculpture, painting and art performances, dancing, and more. While some of these activities are accessible online, we suggest choosing in-person experiences if feasible. Investing in these activities wisely can also make them profitable.

      
      

   5. Games

      Engaging in leisure activities such as games can enhance abilities like quick thinking, creativity, and visual analysis. You don't have to be a video game fan, as there are options for everyone! You might try card games, quizzes, trivia games, and board games like chess, checkers, Scrabble, or Monopoly, among others. Outdoor plays such as badminton are strongly suggested.

      
      

4. Social activities

   Staycations allow us to explore and rediscover our own locality as if we were tourists. Additionally, you might take advantage of this opportunity to reconnect with friends or family. This could involve a straightforward visit, dining out, having a picnic, attending a party or concert, participating in a sporting event, or meeting up in a park. And, it's a great opportunity to engage in community activities, such as volunteering with local organizations. Furthermore, you might consider joining local clubs, like choirs or book clubs. If you're searching for your ideal partner, participating in matchmaking events or using apps could assist you in your journey. Who knows, even if you don't meet your prince charming, you might discover new friendships. You could also enlarge your network or friend group by joining certain groups who share the same hobbys or values on social media such as Facebook; by attending seminars or webinars etc.

   
   

   

   
   

5. Housekeeping activities

   "Cleaning is essential for a happy life," they say. In this context, you can confidently add that you have sufficient time to create a euphoric life. We recommend performing a comprehensive cleaning of your home or apartment at least annually, at a time that suits you. This is also an excellent opportunity to organize your closet, personal library, storage areas; change or install new decorations at home and more. However, since cleaning can quickly become monotonous, here are some tips to help you stay productive:

   1. Prepare a planning: Begin by creating a list of all necessary activities and setting a time limit for their completion. If needed, you can distribute them over several days.

   2. Use entertainment tools: You can play motivational music, videos, or movies in the background to make your tasks more enjoyable. However, be cautious of losing focus or becoming distracted.

   3. Take few breaks: Between tasks, take a brief break to refresh, have a snack, or hydrate yourself.

   4. Use fragrant or scented detergents/cleaning products: The pleasant aroma of cleaning products can boost your mood and help maintain your motivation levels.

      
      

For our valued readers who are raising a family, here are some ways to entertain your child at home and ensure a healthy balance between home and school life.

• Playing games: It is crucial to keep them engaged and continuously expanding their knowledge. Games can significantly aid in developing their emotional and language skills, as well as boosting their memory and confidence.

• Prioritising outdoor activities: Engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, walking, and camping allows them to immerse themselves in the natural world and enhances their understanding of the environment around us. It enables them to stay physically active also

• Setting up meet-ups with their friends (Playdates): If feasible, you can arrange a sitter schedule with other parents or relatives and take turns watching each other's children. This can enhance the children's social and communication skills.

• Including them in house chores such as cleaning or cooking: By taking this action, you can begin instilling a sense of responsibility in the child and assist him in developing decision-making skills.

• Limit screen time: Although televisions, tablets, and phones are frequently viewed negatively in society, it's important to acknowledge their educational advantages for children. Rather than prohibiting these devices at home, we recommend closely monitoring their usage.

Staying at home can be a rollercoaster of excitement and good vibes if you play your cards right. Just remember, a little planning goes a long way to avoid turning your holiday into a marathon of naps and Netflix!

On these thoughful notes, we wish you a pleasant journey!!

Warmest wishes,

Alexa.