4 Ways To Improve Your Summer Staycation
Working moms wear many hats—a CEO at work, a chef at home, and a professional multi-tasker everywhere in between. But when it’s time to take a break, who has the energy to plan an elaborate getaway?
A staycation might be just what we need to relax without the airport delays, screaming toddlers in cramped airplane rows, or the panic of realizing you forgot to pack socks. Here are four ways to improve your summer staycation so it feels like the vacation of your dreams—minus the luggage.
1. Plan Ahead Like a Pro
Yes, it’s a staycation, but that doesn’t mean you should always go with the flow. A perfectly planned staycation schedule is your secret weapon against slipping into your usual routine. Block out “vacation days” in your calendar and treat them as sacred.
Plan your family activities ahead of time, but leave just enough flexibility for spontaneity—it’s not a board meeting, after all. Noting each event keeps everyone on track and ensures you’re actually off duty, whether it’s scheduling a morning pancake breakfast or a backyard movie night.
2. Turn Your Home Into a Personal Resort
When your living room still screams “all work and no play,” it’s time to stage a little redesign. Bring the vacation vibes to your space! Pull out those fairy lights, invest in a comfy hammock or some oversized cushions, and light a citrusy candle that smells like summer.
Splurge a little with some fluffy robes and set up a self-serve “mocktail bar” for the kids and maybe a martini bar for yourself. Try some tropical scents in your home, like a zesty orange or cool cucumber, for a relaxing atmosphere that helps you feel invigorated with each inhale. Transform your home into the paradise oasis you deserve—the laundry can wait until after your well-deserved nap.
3. Become a Local Tourist
When was the last time you explored your city without running late for a playdate or racing through errands? Treat your hometown like a new destination. Check out that weird little museum you’ve always meant to visit, hunt down local food trucks, or take a scenic hike you’ve been too “busy” to attempt until now.
Many towns also offer free outdoor concerts or farmers’ markets in the summer—perfect for getting everyone out of the house. Bonus points if you force the kids to pose in front of landmarks like overexcited tourists for the memories.
4. Drop the Screens and Look Around
Even when we’re on vacation, nothing will stop the work emails from coming through. The best way to fully enjoy your staycation is to hit the “Do Not Disturb” button and walk away. Set an out-of-office email reply, hide work apps in the depths of your phone, and resist the urge to scroll aimlessly.
Instead, reconnect with what actually matters—play board games and have real conversations like the days before we became bogged down with work.
A staycation gives us everything we need to recharge without the hassle of airport security or overbooked hotels if done well. Use a little planning and a refusal to succumb to your daily grind to improve your summer staycation and feel rejuvenated from the comfort of your home. Now go ahead, block that calendar, light that piña-colada-scented candle, and soak up the bliss—you’ve earned this timeout.
