According to leading research firm Gallup, more than 50% of Americans now plan a summer “stay away”—that is, vacation at home.
For many, it’s a great way to unwind without stressing their budgets or dealing with the hassles that come with air travel or high gas prices. But a stay can also be full of pitfalls.
Saying you’ll treat it like a “real” vacation and actually doing it are two very different things thanks to proximity… proximity to engaging emails, proximity to organizational projects that have been on hold for far too long. and the proximity to the guest bedroom she wanted to redecorate like the one she saw on HGTV.
But if you do a little advance planning and implement some smart strategies, your stay could be one of the best vacations you’ve had in a long time.
Start by disconnecting from work completely:
*Mark the stay on your calendar as you would a normal vacation. Do not plan ANY work related tasks or appointments for that week. Period.
* Inform all of your customers and other contacts with whom you regularly do business that you will be on vacation. We recommend NOT telling them it’s a stay. If they ask you where you’re going (something a lot of people will), let them know that you’ve decided not to reveal the location until you get back so the paparazzi don’t know where to find you. smiling
* Put an “out of office” message in your email and record an away message on your office voicemail. DO NOT give out your “in case of emergency” cell phone number. Trust us. It’s amazing what some people think of as an emergency these days!
* And if you’re staying with a significant other or friend, work out a buddy system where you help each other stay in vacation mode. For example, if your “friend” starts to get stressed out by checking voicemails, remind him that he’s on vacation, then quickly distract him with a mojito.
The next key is to make sure you don’t disconnect from work only to get sucked into a long list of chores. Remember: the idea is to RELAX like you would on a vacation away from home. The best way to do this is to plan activities ahead of time that will keep you in a vacation state of mind.
Here are a few to consider:
* Go grocery shopping on the last day before you start your stay. Stock up on a ton of healthy meals and snacks, as well as some specialty treats. (S’mores anyone?) You may also want to shop for ingredients for a recipe or two that you’ve always wanted to try, but just haven’t had the time. And don’t forget to stop at the liquor store for a few bottles of wine…or a case of Corona. smiling
* Book spa treatments to pamper yourself from head to toe, including a body scrub, facial, manicure, pedicure, deep hair conditioning, and most importantly, a massage. You may also want to find a spa with free extras. My favorite here in Baltimore has a Tuscan room with a warm pool, eucalyptus steam room, and sauna, all complimentary.
* Plan recreational activities, such as scheduling a few game hours or reserving a racquetball court. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, make an appointment for classes in rock climbing, kayaking, or even trapeze, all of which are springing up across the country.
* Select at least one non-business related book to read during the week. If you need some ideas, Oprah’s Book Club always has great suggestions.
* Make reservations for a night or two at your favorite restaurant or one you’ve been meaning to try. Or consider enrolling in cooking classes at a local culinary school.
* Charge your iPod with beach-worthy tunes like Cheeseburger in Paradise, Boys of Summer, Summertime Blues, Surfin’ USA, Vacation, Kokomo, Centerfield, and Born to Run (among many others).
* Do all the things that tourists do when they visit your city. Go to museums. Buy tickets to see a show. Take an open-air bus tour. Check out a local concert.
What about you? Are you planning a “royal” vacation this year, or will you stay? What are your strategies to ensure you have a fun and relaxing time? Let us know!
by Angelique Rewers, ABC, April
Rich. Smartest. Happy.
