Saving Money • Travel tips

How To Take A Relaxing Vacation When You’re Strapped For Cash

Chronic work-related stress can lead to burnout, a type of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion that occurs when you feel emotionally drained, overwhelmed, and unable to meet constant demands. For example, 40% of physicians suffer from burnout.

One way you can reduce your risk of burnout is to take a relaxing vacation away from work. But what if you can’t afford a vacation somewhere tropical like Oahu, the third largest island in Hawaii, or even Florida?

You don’t need to travel to a different state to reap the benefits of a relaxing vacation. Consider the following ways you can unwind away from work when you’re strapped for cash.

Explore your local attractions

Every city or town has its own attractions. Chances are there are a few within driving distance you’ve never seen before.

Explore your city like a tourist would: visit the museums you’ve never been to, visit cafes or restaurants you’ve never eaten in before, and take some selfies with some of your city’s monuments.

If you can’t afford to eat out, pack yourself a lunch and make a day trip around your city or even those surrounding it. You’d be surprised by the places to visit that are within a one or two-hour drive of your house.

Take frequent walks through the park

Studies have shown that spending just 20 minutes in nature can help reduce stress. In fact, this might be one of the reasons why 90% of Americans prefer to live in houses surrounded by grass lawns.

Do some research to find some of your city’s local hiking paths and parks. Taking frequent walks in these areas throughout the week can help reduce stress and give you peace of mind.

Let yourself do activities you not otherwise do

When you think of going on vacation, chances are you think of sunbathing by the beach or next to a pool while sipping an old cold beverage. But if you’re going the staycation route to save money, you might have to find other methods to relax.

Consider doing activities either by yourself or with friends and family that you might not otherwise do in your free time. For instance, we often think puzzles are for little kids or seniors, but research shows puzzles activate our brains while relaxing us psychologically. The result is a meditative state.

While you’re thinking of unconventional ways to relax, consider the things you love most. If you love animals, take yourself to the local zoo or even the local dog park. If you love food, visit a restaurant you’ve never been before.

When you’re starting to suffer from burnout, you might feel more stressed thinking about how you can’t afford an extravagant vacation. But you can find plenty of ways to reduce stress and unwind right at home without breaking your budget going abroad. By following the tips above, you can make the most out of your staycation so you can return to work refreshed and recharged.