How to Have a Successful Staycation

You're probably familiar with the sentiment, "I need a vacation from my vacation," perhaps because you've felt this way before. Vacations are a great idea for your mental and physical help, but sometimes going out of town just isn't feasible for your budget or your brain. For the budget-tight or the over-scheduled, here are a few tips for having a smashing "staycation" from home.

THE KEYS TO A REAL STAYCATION

Staycations often fail because, well, you're home. And although home can be a relaxing place, it's also the place you live your daily life—the same life you're trying to escape from for a bit. Here's how you can make your rest authentic.

Go off grid (really)

Turn off your Internet router. Let your phone battery die. Lock all your electronics in a safe. Do what you have to do to unplug from your daily distractions. Much of what keeps us stressed and over-scheduled is our dependence on technology; get it out of your house for just a bit.

Play tourist in your hometown

Pretend you've never been to your town (or maybe region if other attractions are within driving distance). With your family, create a bucket list of destinations and activities around town that you've never done—and maybe a few old favorites. Once you've made your bucket list, make a vacation plan. Your plan doesn't need to stay rigid, but it'll help you stay away from going back into old routines since you're staying home.

Make your home a dream destination

Maybe one of the best ways to make your staycation relaxing is to create your own luxury destination. Before your time off, shop around for some new furniture or exciting appliances, and then create a relaxing atmosphere in your home. A new bed or a few new accessories can make your home feel like a completely different place.

With these tools, you're ready to relax, kick back, and enjoy your staycation.