Have a special time off — when travel isn’t an option

Maybe you can’t afford a cruise this year or a trip to the beach, but you still have those vacation days. It’d be a shame to let the clock run out on your year without using them up. So if vacation isn’t in the budget this year, consider a staycation instead. Put in your request for time off and use it to laze around the apartment, get some reading done, and otherwise relax with help from our guide:

First things first: stash your phones – When you’re on a cruise or sunbathing in Spain, your phone probably isn’t ringing off the hook. Since you likely get crystal-clear reception in your home, however, you’ll need to fabricate your own out-of-network experience. It’s pretty simple to do: just silence your phones and stuff them in the guest room drawer. If you really want to cut off the world for a few days, let your friends and family know you’ll be off the grid and turn your phones off while you’re on staycation. It’s much easier to relax when you don’t feel compelled to answer every single text immediately.
Some high-end towels – A dash of bath salts. Scented candles. These elements could be all it takes to transform your bathroom into an oasis and make it part of the staycation experience. So indulge in a bath with all the trappings during your stay (at home).
Read ‘til you drop/snooze – Reading for fun is a luxury that you probably don’t have during the workweek, so take full advantage of your time off. Ask around for recommendations from friend and family with similar taste in books and check them out at the library before staycation begins. Then indulge in a reading binge while you have the downtown. Pro tip: choose a few different genres of books so that you can have options when you sit down for a reading sesh.
Go to a movie (or binge at home) – If your staycation involves interaction with the outside world, then plan a movie night as a laid-back way to enjoy an evening. But if you’re really committed to the stay part of staycation, snuggle up at home with a good Netflix series. Consider binging on summertime fluff like Grace and Frankie or Hot Wet American Summer: First Day of Camp. You can also set up a movie marathon_there’s no shame in watching five Lifetime movies in a row.
Make your bedroom a hotel room – Much like the bathroom, your bedroom is a space that can easily become a serene escape with just a few simple tweaks. Splurge on a nice set of sheets with a high thread count, maybe add some comfy throw pillows, and bring in a vase of fresh flowers or a few candles.