The ability to take a vacation is often based on being able to travel and explore a new location, but it doesn’t need to be! Planning dedicated time to rest at home can be just as restorative as a trip. Plus, you’ll save on hotel and travel expenses. Struggling with what to do while taking a break at home or how to ensure you’ll fully relax? Our guide has suggestions about how to get started planning a staycation of your own.

What is a Staycation?

A staycation is a vacation that you intentionally take in your own home or town. It’s a chance to enjoy a relaxing time off from work and responsibilities, without needing to stress about your budget or using PTO days just for travel to and from your destination. You can do as much or as little as you want on a staycation. Just like a regular vacation, the time is yours to relax and enjoy as you wish.

How to Plan a Staycation

There’s no wrong way to plan a staycation! However, if you’re not used to having a break, it can be hard to decide how you’d like to decompress. Think through what you’ve wanted to do lately, if you’d only had the time. Have you been talking with your coworkers about a popular new show you’ve wanted to watch? Are you looking for an opportunity to learn a new skill or reconnect with your mind and body? You don’t need to leave home for classes or workshops, either! YouTube is a great resource for acquiring new hobbies, mastering a new technique, or following along with workouts, yoga, or meditation. Here are more suggestions for what to do during your staycation:

• Learn to draw
• Read a new book (or two!)
• Try cooking a new recipe
• Start your own backyard garden
• Create an at-home spa day
• Plan a movie marathon
• Journal from your own experience or write a fictional story
• Relax with a feel-good playlist
• Play video games
• Walk around your neighborhood (or a local trail)

Think through what it is about vacations that you find relaxing. Is it getting to experience something new? Is it uninterrupted time to sleep in? Once you’ve made your list, find ways to incorporate that into your staycation, too.

How to Prepare for a Staycation

Consider preparing for a staycation just like you would for any other vacation. If you clean before you leave, do the same! Cleaning before your staycation also ensures that you’re relaxing in a space free from distractions. The same goes for boundaries you set with your job. Even though your time zone isn’t changing, and you might still have the usual quality of cellular and internet service, it doesn’t mean you still need to be checking your work email throughout the day. If you usually go entirely tech-free on vacation, consider turning your phone off at home, too! If it’s work or social media, disconnecting from your devices can help you stay in the moment and unwind.

Depending on what you want to do, it might be a good idea to pack—figuratively, of course! You don’t need to get out your suitcase, but consider setting aside items that you plan on using during your staycation, like pajamas, snacks, or books. That way, they’re easy to access. You can also build excitement before your staycation begins, and, when it’s finally time to relax, everything you’ll need will be ready to go.