13 Ways to Relax Like You’re on Vacation

Envision forests of palm trees, with a hammock slung between two of them, endless miles of white sand and clear blue water, a light breeze blowing, some Jimmy Buffet playing, and a cool drink in your hand.  Now open your eyes and remember that it’s only a picture on you’re computer screen and you’re stuck at work until you’re allowed to go on your next vacation.  Sorry, I know that wasn’t nice, but vacations are few and far between.  It doesn’t mean though that you can’t take little pieces of the things you like most about vacation and incorporate them into your daily life.  Remember it’s important to Don’t Waste Life, so without further adieu, here are my top tips on how to relax like you’re on vacation.

West Bay Beach, Roatan, Honduras

1. Take a Day Trip

Pick an area near you that you have never visited, find a new restaurant, museum, club, park, hike, etc.  Yelp is a great way to find a new place to eat and Groupon, or similar companies are a great way to find something new to do near you.  They have great deals for everything from wine tasting to whale watching tours to sky diving.  It’s a great way to try something new and get a great deal at the same time!  Are you struggling for something new to do in your area?  Hit your local bookstore or library and find a book about things to do in your area.  The internet, of course, is always a great resource as well.  Just by doing a search for things to do in your city or even opening up Google maps and seeing a new park or open space is a great way to fuel the creativity.  Check out our Monthly Challenge on Urban Outdoor Adventure for some more local ideas.

Joshua Tree, California

2. Plan a Weekend Away

So maybe you can’t get away on a full vacation for two weeks, but what about a weekend or even one night?  We just spent a fabulous one night away in Idyllwild and I felt totally renewed afterwards.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant, just anything that gets you away from your home and the associated stresses and chores.  Priceline or Travelzoo are great ways to find deals on places to stay.  We use them all the time to get higher end hotels for a big discount.

3. Watch the sunset

This is another wonderful way to relax.  Stop a moment to watch the sunset.  Simple, easy, and so very peaceful.  Sunrise works wonders too!

4. Meditate/Guided Imagery

Don’t have the time or money to get away?  What about 20 minutes? Todd and I have been using this technique for the last six months to help us relax when things get really stressful.  Mediation and guided imagery are really two separate things.  We will go into them more on a separate post, but I think both have huge benefits.  I have found that the Guided Imagery is much easier to enjoy and have faster results.  The gist is that you put on your headphones, relax on the couch, and listen to someone with a very soothing voice talk to you about relaxing.  The majority of the time I fall asleep, but still wake up with the tension out of my shoulders.  I highly recommend that you take 20 minutes to give it a try.  There are several websites that you can download the meditations for free.  This is one that we like.

5. Read a book- All day

One of my favorite things to do to relax on vacation is to have a full down day where I do nothing but read.  Find a great book at the library or download a new one to your Kindle and do nothing but relax with a book or magazine all day.

6. Plan a cocktail hour

This is one of my favorite ways to relax!  Pull out your favorite cheese and crackers, chips and salsa, or make a few little easy appetizers like Bacon Wrapped Dates.  Grab you’re favorite beverage and enjoy.  You could invite a group of friends over or just indulge on your own.  The idea is to make it feel like a special treat.  Most people on vacation hit happy hour in the early evening – why not replicate it at home.  When we were in Turkey, I grabbed my favorite chocolate Magnum ice cream bar and a glass of red wine and I was in heaven!

7. Do Yoga or Stretching

Are your shoulders and neck aching with tension?  Do you have a stress headache between your eyes?  Try some yoga or stretching.  I’ve found that as little as five or ten minutes can work wonders for that stress tension.  I’ve done Beach Bodies 10 min yoga workout at lunch and have felt so much better.  Obviously, if you’re able to dedicate a full hour or more you will have better results, but remember every little bit helps.

8. Lay in Bed All Day

If you really need a down day, pick a rainy, yucky day, pull on your favorite flannel PJs and stay in bed all day!

9. Stay Up Late, Sleep In, and Take a Nap

Need I say more..catch up on all the sleep you’re body is aching for!

10. Make your own oasis

Turn your back yard, patio, living room, if necessary, into your own oasis.  Pull out the lounge chair, grab a soft fluffy towel, and turn on some Jimmy Buffet.  The piece de resistance – you must blend up some tropical drinks, like Pina Coladas or Strawberry Daiquiris.

11.  Try a New Activity in Your Area

Sometimes people feel like the only chance they have to try something new is on vacation.  If you only have two weeks a year, it’s important to figure out a way to try new things at home!  One of the ways that we have met new people and tried out new things is through Meetup.com.  You enter your zip code and a subject that you’re interested in (i.e wine, hiking, dogs) and it lists groups near you of people that have common interests.  Now for those of you not interested in group activities, you shouldn’t rule this out.  Why?  Even if you don’t want to join the group you should take a look at the places they are going to for their activities and try them out on your own.  We’ve used this to find new dog friendly restaurants, great hikes, etc without even meeting up with the group.

Newport Beach, California

12. Act like a tourist at home – take your camera with you

Part of the fun of vacation is looking at all the pictures when you get home.  Plan a day out – it could be even when you’re doing your chores – and click away.  I bet you’d be surprised at how fun it can be to act goofy and take a few vacation-esque photos in your own town.

13. I’m leaving this last one for you – What’s your favorite way to relax like you’re on vacation?  Share in the comments below!