A vacation might be everything you’ve ever wanted right now, but sometimes it’s just not possible. But just because you can’t get out of town doesn’t mean you can’t make time to relax at home. If you’re looking for ways to get that vacation vibe right at home, here are a few tips to help you plan the ultimate staycation.

Have a Plan

Have you ever gone on a vacation without even a loose idea of what you wanted to do? The answer is probably no. And the same holds true for a staycation — you need a plan! Even if it’s only a short list of tasks you want to complete, making that list and mapping out a rough idea of what your days are going to look like can help you maintain a little bit of structure and relax at the same time. Of course, make sure your list of tasks to do doesn’t get too long. Even though almost 85% of the nation’s homes were built before 1980 and are in need of some kind of improvement, you don’t want to get sucked into the trap of spending your whole staycation on home renovation projects. So while you’re making your plan, make sure you’re placing a cap on the amount of time you spend cleaning or completing home renovation projects. The point of your staycation is to relax, after all!

Create a Relaxing Atmosphere

Think about your favorite places to visit. What’s the vibe there? How are they decorated and how do they smell? Taking your favorite elements from places you’ve visited and creating that atmosphere in your own home can help enhance that feeling of being on a vacation and away from all of the things that are stressing you out. Here are a few ways to create the atmosphere of a vacation in your own home:

• • Put luxurious sheets on your bed.

• • Place some fresh flowers in the rooms you frequent.

• • Put books you’ve been meaning to read on your bedside table.

• • Light your favorite scented candle when you enter a room.

• • Live in your nicest bathrobe or loungewear.

• • Place a ban on news apps for the duration of your staycation.

• • Invest in ingredients to make a fabulously decadent meal one night.

Creating the atmosphere of vacation in your home is easier than you might think! These little tips can help you get started, but don’t hesitate to take more inspiration from the places you love. If your favorite vacation spot is a cozy cabin, maybe take out some of your more rustic decor items. If you love beachy areas, consider spending more time in your sunroom and decking it out in billowy white curtains and whipping up some tropical drinks each day. The options are endless!

Make Sleep a Priority

One of the most important reasons to take a staycation is to catch up on your sleep so you can feel truly rested by the time you need to clock back in. While it’s common knowledge many of us forget that the average adult needs at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night. If you’ve been getting less than that, use your staycation time to reset your sleep schedule and make rest a priority again. You might not be able to take a nap every afternoon when you’re clocked out for lunch, but getting more sleep each night is certainly doable with a little bit of practice. So while you’re relaxing at home, consider testing out a few changes to your bedtime routine to see which would work best for you once your staycation is over. Some small changes to try include:

• • Reading in bed for 30 minutes before going to sleep.

• • Performing relaxing stretches before getting into bed.

• • Meditating for 10 minutes before you go to sleep.

• • Going to sleep 30 minutes earlier than you normally do.

• • Turning your phone off at least one hour before going to sleep.

And these are just a few of the many little things you can do to change up your routine before you go to sleep. You just might be surprised at how one small change can have such a positive impact on your well being.

When you want to plan the ultimate staycation, make sure you’re taking these tips into account. If relaxation and recharging are your goals, these planning tips are sure to help you plan the best staycation ever.