Get Ready for Your Next Stay-cation

“Sometimes a break from your routine is the very thing you need”

Staycation… a vacation at home.  Not entirely though.  You have the luxury of being away and the feel of a vacation without actually going too far from home or breaking the bank.  Doing a staycation is more than just a holiday alternative.  It’s a discovery of your current home and a break away from the real word.  It’s scheduled self-care.  Just like any form of self-care, you should walk away stress free, rejuvenated and ready to head back to business as usual.  At the end of a stay-cation you can exhale. 

I love staycations because they give me peace of mind, allow me to re-group, and put everything on pause.  I can do whatever I want in that time, even if it is just sleep a whole day.  The whole point is going away…without going away.  For many of us taking a break from our serious travels, a staycation might bring the prefect respite in the middle of these crazy times.

This is how it’s done.

Schedule it.

Pick a date on the calendar and stick to it!  This is a commitment to yourself.  Unless something major happens, don’t change the date.  Schedule for at least two days.  I used my off days for my staycation.  A simple overnight.

Choose the accommodations

The point is to get out of the house.  What better way of feeling like you’ve been somewhere then staying at a hotel.  Pick a nice hotel or Airbnb too (as long as it’s within reason—luxury or comfort) within an hour distance (depending on where you live), and keep in mind the area.  Don’t choose a hotel in the middle of nowhere, unless it’s a resort with a great property.  For my staycation, I stayed at Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel and everything I wanted to do was within walking distance.  When you make this a frequent habit, I recommend registering memberships (SPG, Expedia, Hotels.com, etc.).  Yes, I have quite a few.

Plan…or don’t plan

This time is for you.  Do nothing, or do a whole lot!  This is where you can sleep all day or make discoveries.  Load up the movies or set out with Google Maps your guide.  Even plan activities you can do over the course of a couple of days.  The Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel is located near the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and Yuyuan Old Street; so, there is plenty to explore with the convenience of being minutes away by feet.

Treat yourself

This is a must!  Whatever it is that you want to indulge in go for it.  For me, nothing is as comforting as a nice meal.  On my staycation, I enjoyed a night at M on the Bund.  The restaurant is a must see in Shanghai, overlooking the bund, with an excellent menu, lovely staff, and light atmosphere. 

Rest

The best part.  Get all of the rest you need.  Next to a stomach full of good food, the next best feeling is a good night’s sleep (like all the ten hours).  Comfy bed, fluffy pillows, and all the space.  Rest up!

During this time, push away all the negative, stress-causing, and anxiety-building thoughts.  Focus on everything positive.  Re-affirm the legend that is you.  Personal validation is the confidence setup needed for the days after your staycation. 

Looking forward to hearing about how you planned your next staycation!