You may have been quick to dismiss the idea of a staycation in the past but with travel restrictions in place indefinitely, many of us are left to revisit the idea. 

Clearly, your couch can never compete with a Greek beach cabana, but in these unprecedented times, we’re left to work with what we have, right? And, for most of the country, what we have are orders to shelter in place and restrict our movement to what’s absolutely essential. That sounds pretty limiting, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a relaxing, totally restorative mini-break and return feeling recharged, refreshed, and ready to dive back into your usual grind. 

Everything You Need for a Successful Staycation in 2020

If your spring break or summer getaway seems unlikely to happen at this point, consider these small hacks for a successful staycation. 

Eat Like You’re on Vacation

This isn’t the time for boring sandwiches and sensible salads, unless, of course, that’s what you look forward to eating on vacation. Otherwise, go wild on Postmates. Splurge on your absolute favorites. Bummed to miss out on your beach vacay seafood this year? Get the shrimp. Had to cancel your birthday trip to Paris? That's ok, you can still have the Chateaubriand delivered.

If you have your heart set on a restaurant that doesn’t usually deliver, chances are they may offer delivery now. The same goes for your local bottle shop. Yes, this is all slightly indulgent but you're probably spending less than you would on a typical vacation and it's a great way to help local small businesses stay afloat. Just remember to tip your delivery person more than you would normally. 

Beyond meals, you can also plan to have your favorite faraway snacks shipped from specialty shops around the globe. Online gourmet food shop IGourmet features foods from Argentina, Australia, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and elsewhere. Delivery times may be delayed so allow yourself time for shipping. 

Related: How to Get a Refund for Flights Canceled Due to COVID-19

 

DIY Change of Scenery

Give your eyes a break from the day-to-day monotony by switching up your surroundings. Moving your bed by the window and reconfiguring the living room are small tweaks that can make a big difference in how we experience our living spaces. 

From wall hangings to scented candles, think big and consider the details. While your dream trip to Costa Rica may be temporarily on hold, waking up to a jungle wall mural in the living room is the next best thing - and just as Instagrammable.

Can’t make that trip to Joshua Tree this year? How about ordering a cactus or three? Maybe some big leafy monstrosity to keep you company? Yes, you can have houseplants delivered in 2020 thanks to sites like the Sill and Bloomscape. Short of planting palms and installing a man-made beach in the house, it’s a very reasonable alternative.  

If you’re lucky enough to have yard space and somewhat cooperative weather, don’t forget to include it in your grand redesign. Toss an outdoor rug and some pillows on the lawn, and string some Christmas lights up in the tree. 

While Hawaii is on hold, have your own lockdown luau with tiki torches, lauhala mats, and of course, some really good Hawaiian food. An inflatable pool wouldn’t hurt, either, would it? 

Foreign Movie Nights

Instead of endlessly scrolling through the same titles on your usual streaming services, use your staycation to explore other options. With your passport temporarily in park, a foreign film binge is a great way to soak up new cultures and prep you for the day when you can finally visit in person. Streaming services like the Criterion Channel, Mubi, Apple, Fandor, and Amazon all have a great selection of international titles. You can even catch films for free using your library card on Kanopy.

Related: 15 Movies About Flying to Watch While You’re Grounded

 

Spa Time

If you have a tub, make time for long daily soaks. You can only do so much with a cramped apartment bathroom, but try sprucing it up to the best of your abilities. The right bath caddy tray can make all the difference, so choose one with holders for your tablet, smartphone, books, wineglass, and whatever else you need by your side. Order in bougie soaps, lotions, potions, creams, and slather yourself silly. And remember, you can’t get in trouble for stealing your own bathrobe and towels so treat yourself to a fluffy white set for lounging post-soak. 

A Good Night’s Sleep

What's the one thing that everyone looks forward to on vacation? Finally having the time to catch up on sleep. You can easily do that during a staycation at home by giving your bed a few easy upgrades.

For a lot less than a weekend at the Four Seasons, you can enjoy a soft new bed set, cushy pillows, and a mattress pad long after your staycation has ended. Feeling extra splurgey? With the money you're saving by staying at home, why not spring for a brand new 5-star hotel quality mattress? 

Keep it Moving

While there’s no denying the joy in snacking on the sofa for long stretches at a time, it’s no way to spend a whole vacation. Instead, set aside some time for yoga with an online class, or make walking or jogging part of your daily staycation routine. With gyms currently closed, a staycation could be a great time to develop an at-home workout routine that you’ll stick with as the pandemic drags on. Whatever you might need for your workout (kettle weights, resistance bands, mats, balls) be sure to order well enough in advance to account for slower delivery times. 

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