One of the hardest things about being in New York City is slowing down. My work, life, and everything else has been going a hundred miles an hour lately. One thing that really helps me get back to center is staycations. This term gets thrown around a lot, but a "staycation" refers to any vacation time you spend at home, in your home city, or at a nearby destination. Clinical psychologist Dr. Shari Dade tells Bustle that these short breaks are great for your mental health in a different way than traditional vacations. “Sometimes we get so busy planning vacations that we often forget that we can relieve stress by taking a staycation that’s more convenient and cost-effective,” she says. “It allows you to step away from [your daily life]” and reflect on what’s actually going on. . "It's important to reflect on what is causing negative emotions or feelings in the current environment," she says . What thought patterns increase these emotions? "What do you want to happen when you go back to your normal life?" "
Ultimately, a staycation can serve as an instant retreat when things get tough. You don’t have to wait until your finances are in order to allow time off. It can be completed in a day or a week by retreating to a nearby location. A staycation is also more beneficial than a vacation because it alleviates the stress that comes with planning a vacation, such as extensive research and planning, money, and language barriers. With a staycation, you're in familiar territory so there's less pressure to feel like you're taking an adventure, which allows your brain to actually do the work it needs to relax.
For a staycation, I checked into the Hotel Indigo on New York City’s Lower East Side. When I'm away from home, but still in my hometown, I'm able to utilize stress-reducing techniques that I normally wouldn't be able to do. I don’t do spa treatments often as I tend to work out to release endorphins, but on the first day of my staycation I ordered a mobile beauty and wellness service called Priv and indulged in manicures, facials and An hour-long therapeutic massage. Since I was so still, I almost forgot about next month's closing date or rent. When you feel stressed, nervous, or anxious, it can help to stay quiet so you can become aware of your emotions. From that stillness, you are able to acknowledge and accept the emotions that arise during reflection. Dr Sally said: "It's often difficult to admit your emotions and most people avoid it. But when you admit things to yourself that you wouldn't otherwise admit, it can help with self-improvement, which is why staycations It’s helpful. That moment of stillness will provide a lot of clarity and help moving forward.”
Another great thing about a staycation is that I get to really relax. Anxiety often affects my sleep cycles. But when I'm in bed and room service is just a phone call away, I can actually sleep soundly. I slept about 12 hours on Saturday and Sunday and felt clear, creative, and energized during my staycation. For me, sleep, or lack thereof, causes anxiety, which in turn leads to less productivity and more stress. As a result, I lose focus easily, nap frequently, and inevitably become lazy in the process. Staycations are good for me because they allow me to immediately readjust and return to my normal sleep patterns.
The most important takeaway from this staycation is that I have the right to pause — even if I’m not spending a full vacation on a beach somewhere. The mental break you need during a stressful situation doesn't have to happen in a dramatic way. It's as simple as stepping away from your surroundings and getting a clear view from a distance. Many times I would fight with myself about how I was feeling and not be able to acknowledge the things that were eating me away. A staycation can give you a break from everyday problems and give you perspective to problem-solve, while also de-stressing.
