Staycationing - an affordable way to recharge

You survived the holidays! Whether you traveled or stayed home, all of the cooking, cleaning, eating, shopping, wrapping, and more cleaning can be exhausting. Your bank account is probably a little skinnier and waste line a little wider, so you are likely glad to be back to the normal-life schedule. I know I am!

It can be a little depressing, though, to think that now is the time for all work and no play. That's why you should start planning a staycation.

What is a staycation?

Get the joy and relaxation of taking a vacation for a fraction of the price and time a real vacation requires.  Staycationing is the perfect way to get away from it all without going very far or anywhere. You can staycation in your home, in the next town over, or in a nearby city.

If you need some downtime to unwind and relax, plan a week or a long weekend at home with no other plans. If you have a hobby that you like to do, this is the time to do it. Perhaps there is a DIY project that you have been putting off. Your staycation can be time you allot for the things that make you feel good.

You can have a whole week without electronics and let everyone know you will be "offline", so nobody worries about you.  If you need a nap, then do it.  If binge watching a show on TV makes you feel good, then that's what you should do. If going to the gym everyday, then home for a nap is your idea of the perfect week, then that is what you should do.  Staycationing can be anything you like.

If you need to get away from home and see some unfamiliar sites, you can staycation in a nearby town and fulfill that need without the cost of an entire vacation. Book a hotel with a nice pool and spa. Perhaps your family would enjoy visiting an attraction that isn't too far away from home, but far enough to not be the usual place you go. Some big cities are fun for shopping and touring. Go see a movie and eat at a fancy restaurant before going back to the hotel to swim until the pool closes. You won't even notice that you are only a 40-minute drive from home.

A staycation might be just the thing to get you through the winter months ahead. They can easily be planned and executed with minimal time off work and a low budget. Having something to look forward to, such as a staycation, can help you feel more positive and be more productive at work.

Where is your favorite place to staycation in Eastern Iowa?

Check out some of these fun and interesting places to staycation:

Vinton Iowa - Small town charm where you can see historic buildings, enjoy the Benton County Speedway, visit local heaters, and much more.

Mt Vernon Iowa - See the beautiful architecture, unique dining experiences, and local boutique shopping all wrapped up in a cute little town.

Iowa City - You can feel the culture as you travel around Iowa City with plenty to do, places to shop, and a hustle bustle city feeling surrounded by small towns.

Dubuque - If you like the city feel, this is a great place to staycation and check out the sites, live music, art district, and much more.