5 Tips For The Ultimate Staycation

Over the last year, we’ve all been deeply impacted by the pandemic in different ways. Between socially distancing and temporary stay-at-home orders, most of us have had to put parts of our lives on hold, including vacations. One way to get through these uncertain times is to make the most of a difficult situation, even if we’re missing out on experiences we’d been looking forward to. Are you in need of something to look forward to? Do you crave vacation vibes but can’t travel? Why not sprinkle some fun into staying at home with these ideas for an ultimate staycation? 

Stay-at-home safari

Sure, a luxury lodge or treetop suite beats your own bedroom, but you can still experience some of what makes a safari trip special from the comfort of home! During the first worldwide lockdown, the Savanna Lodge began offering “Stay@Home” safari episodes on YouTube. This exclusive 5-star lodge has captured some incredible footage from their private game reserve, which encompasses almost 35 sq. miles of the Sabi Sand Reserve in South Africa. Kick back, relax, and pull these videos up on your TV to get a glimpse of lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, cheetahs, hippos, and so much more! 

Set up your own spa retreat

Spa breaks are the perfect way to relax, so why not set up a tranquil sanctuary in your own bathroom or bedroom? Treat yourself to the fluffiest bathrobe you can find, add soft cotton slippers, and light a few of your favorite candles. Essential oil diffusers are an easy way to fill the air with the calming scent of lavender or the invigorating smell of eucalyptus. Sink into a luxurious bubble bath or soak away your stress in the hot tub with a cold glass of champagne, then finish up with a fancy face mask, refreshing body scrub, and soothing lotion before slipping into your softest sheets. This is the kind of socially-distanced self-care we can sign off on! 

A posh picnic 

One of the best things about living in the Mid-South is the mild winters. There are “warm” days even in the colder months, and these are always a great opportunity to get out of the house and into nature, even if it’s your own backyard. You don’t need a park for the perfect picnic! String twinkling lights across your patio or from tree to tree for some ambient sparkle, then lay out one of your coziest blankets. Since most restaurants are offering curbside pickup, you can order anything that tickles your taste buds. Try something new, like the Salt|Soy Pop-Up offered by Alchemy, featuring a Memphis twist on traditional Asian cuisine, or stick to everyone’s picnic faves with a delicious charcuterie board from knifebird. All that fresh air and fine dining can make you sleepy, so be sure to hit the hammock for a nap once you’re done. 

Tour the town

Acting like a tourist in your own town can give you the same feelings of excitement that exploring a far-off destination would if you do it right! Thankfully, there’s no lack of things to do in Memphis and the surrounding areas, even during this time of social distancing. Take a day to stroll through the historic downtown areas, enjoy a long walk through the beautiful Memphis Botanic Garden, or mask up to explore the annual Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards at the Brooks Museum. Want a true tourist experience? Book Backbeat Tour! This tour company has three tours that feature a unique look at the city while maintaining current COVID-19 safety protocols. There’s a ghost tour, a historic walking tour, and even a bike tour if you’re eager to get your body moving while you explore everything Memphis has to offer. 

Movie night with friends and family

Lots of us have recently learned how to socialize through Zoom and FaceTime out of necessity, but did you know there are other ways to connect with the ones you love who live outside your “bubble”? Teleparty is a free extension for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge that lets you link up with others to host long-distance movie nights and TV watch parties! With Teleparty, video playback is synchronized and a group chat is added to streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO. Dim the lights, cuddle up on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn, and enjoy an all-new viewing experience with your favorite people, near and far. 

Destress, unwind, relax, and refresh

Social distancing guidelines and travel restrictions are designed to keep our communities safe and healthy, but they do mean we have to think outside the box a bit when it comes to, well, everything. Taking precautions for our own physical health and that of our family and friends is important, but we should be aware of our mental and emotional health, too. Taking time off, even if you aren’t traveling anywhere, is beneficial in a multitude of ways! Having the space and time to unwind is good for the body, mind, and soul. 

While we’re hoping for a quick return to normality this year, The Judy Mac Team of Crye-Leike Realtors encourages you to find creative ways to destress throughout the upcoming months. Staycations can be just as refreshing as a trip out of town, and we hope that our tips have given you a helpful place to start planning! Whether you’re in Downtown, East Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, & Beyond, there are numerous opportunities to recharge your batteries from home or around the city. Stay safe out there and take care of yourself! 

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