Save money this month and treat yourself to a self-care staycation
Gone are the days when getting a bit of R&R meant travelling to far off exotic locations and paying a small fortune for a luxury retreat only the seriously wealthy could afford. Now you can host your own wellness weekend from the comfort of your home! We have the ultimate guide to how you can relax and indulge yourself without splashing the cash – and feel amazing and invigorated afterwards too…
Power off
One of the most important factors to remember when embarking on a self-care staycation is turning off your devices. While your own home won’t have the consistent reminders a luxury retreat might or the staff to discipline you if you’re seen checking your emails in between treatments, it is still vital if you are to get the most out of a staycation. The power you’ll find yourself with from just having your phone switched off and not constantly buzzing in your pocket is unique and essential to a restful experience.
Vary your exercise routine
Feeling fit and healthy is a key aspect of a successful retreat, and these usually come complete with a state-of-the-art gym facility with a programme of classes you’ve never even heard of ! So make sure that during your wellness weekend, you try something new at your gym – it doesn’t have to be totally out there but if you’ve always been more of a spinning fan, try something more slow-paced like Pilates, or alternatively if you do most of your exercise in the swimming pool, try coming onto dry land and working other muscles in a boxercise or fit pump class.
Eat good food
Make sure you are cooking wholesome, healthy meals with nutrient-rich ingredients, as this is another key aspect of self care. Without noticing at retreats you’ll most likely be consuming a lot more vitamins and health products than you usually do, but the food needs to also be satisfying to fuel the activities of your weekend and make your body feel full. Make sure you have a high supply of energy-boosting foods such as eggs, sweet potatoes, avocado and green tea to keep you well-fed throughout your staycation.
Book a spa treatment
Heading to your local spa for a one-off treatment is a fraction of the price of going to a full retreat and can leave you feeling just as peaceful. Whether you prefer to unwind with a hot stone massage, treat your skin to a luxury facial or even get a manicure or pedicure, the experience can leave you feeling better in yourself and refreshed. Pick a treatment you enjoy most and indulge! You deserve it.
Invite your friends
The best retreats are those where you meet new people and spend a lot of time socialising and getting to know people, so why not ask others to join you for an evening as part of your wellness weekend? You could invite a couple of friends round and ask them to bring some of their friends that you’ve never met – make lots of delicious nibbles and cue an evening of meeting new people!
Go hiking
More often than not, retreats are held in locations with breathtaking views and you’re encouraged to go out and explore the area around you. Bring this into your staycation and go hiking somewhere locally – not only is this a great method of gentle exercise, strengthening your core muscles and heart, but you’ll also have a new appreciation of your local area.
Meditate
What would a wellness retreat be without some meditation thrown in? Reflect on all you have learnt on your staycation, and things you’d like to incorporate into your everyday life. Whether you are considering having a wellness weekend more regularly, or even just treating yourself more, it’s a great exercise to undertake.
