It’s that time of year when millions of families consider going on vacation, usually to some exotic destination so they can experience all kinds of new sites and new experiences. Figuring out where to go is usually a time-consuming process, since there are so many interesting places you could possibly visit.
But what if you didn’t visit any of those places? What if you simply stayed home and held a staycation instead?
There are actually many good reasons why staycations can be just as enjoyable – or even more enjoyable than their traditional traveling counterparts.
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Creative Flexibility
First, you’re going to have significantly more creative flexibility in the type of experiences you want to cultivate. You’re going to be in total control of your own environment, and you won’t be shackled by things like available flights, train schedules, or even local weather conditions. You can start a staycation anytime you want, with no travel bookings required, and you can plan any kind of theme you want for the staycation.
For example, if you want to have a beach-themed staycation, and host a lobster bake in your own backyard – bonus points if you have a pool and matching ocean-themed décor.
During your staycation, you can stay inside the house and watch some of your favorite movies while ordering and enjoying the best food, or you can do a tour of interesting locations throughout your city. You can also spend significant time outdoors, camping, hiking, or enjoying other activities in your local park system. Take the time to talk with your family to brainstorm various options; you can do almost anything you want.
A Chance to Relax and Destress
Taking a vacation is good for your health. You’ll get a chance to step away from the stress and responsibilities of your job. You’ll get time to do some of the things you enjoy most and genuinely relax. And when it’s time to go back to work, you’ll have a fresh mentality, soon you’ll be at much lower risk of burnout.
Taking just one vacation every year can make a big impact in both your physical and mental health. You’ll be less stressed, you’ll be less likely to experience depression, and you’ll have a more positive outlook on the world. Taking a staycation is just as valuable as a vacation in this regard.
No Travel Pains or Anxiety
In fact, staycations maybe even better for your ability to relax and destress – that’s because they completely eliminate the need to travel. Accordingly, you won’t have to experience any travel pains or anxieties. You won’t have to worry about long, sleepless flights and the resulting jet lag. You won’t have to worry about awkward, uncomfortable accommodations for hours on end. You won’t have to worry about mistakenly canceled bookings or other discrepancies in your travel arrangements. Everything is going to be much more in your control.
A Chance to See Your Home in a New Light
This is also an opportunity to see your home and your home city in entirely new lights. In the course of your daily routine, you probably aren’t taking full advantage of your living space or your hometown. Is there a restaurant nearby that you’ve been meaning to try? Is there a piece of outdoor furniture you love but never get to use? Once you break away from your work routine and have genuine time off, you’ll be able to appreciate these things.
An Opportunity to Spend More Quality Time
It’s also worth noting that holding a staycation could give you an opportunity to spend even more quality time with your family and friends. Traveling on vacation naturally separates you from at least some of your favorite people – and the people you travel with are often too stressed or too tired to directly engage with you during travel.
Cost Savings
The average cost of a vacation in the United States is $1,558 per person. Obviously, the cost of a vacation is going to vary significantly depending on where you go, how you travel, and how many indulgences you pay for along the way. But no matter what, traveling is expensive, while staying home is inexpensive. Holding a staycation is a fantastic way to save money, even if you splurge on many luxuries during your time off.
Even if you still lean toward taking a classical vacation, there’s no denying that staycations have their advantages. Taking a staycation could end up saving you time, saving you money, helping you destress more, and ultimately paving the way for a better, more memorable experience for everyone involved. Make sure you consider a staycation the next time you have time off work.