Posted March 25, 2019 by Vivek Bhalla, MD, Summa Health Medical Group - Family Medicine
While the idea of slipping away for a tropical island vacation sounds dreamy right about now, a staycation can actually be a healthier alternative to a big trip. We’re not talking about a week on the sofa, movie-binge-style spring break. This staycation keeps you local but is also packed with outdoor activities and the arts. These types of activities can prevent:
This year plan a few activities that make the most of your local area and combine some physical activity.
Explore the arts! Local organizations, community centers and private art shops often offer art classes. Try a drop-in sculpture, painting, photography or writing class to get the family’s creative juices flowing.
Backyard adventure. Weather permitting, plan an overnight outdoors (or just until the sun goes down) in the backyard. Just the act of building the tent and setting up “camp” provides parents and children physical activity. Pair that with scary stories, flashlight shadows and pillow fights and you’ve got a full day’s workout!
Head outdoors. You pass by them almost every weekend: mile markers for your local, state or national park. The weather this time of year can still be unpredictable but a well-planned, yet adjustable day hike can quickly be rearranged, as opposed to a long road trip in the springtime. This handy tool from the National Park Service provides ways to plan park trips.
A few other tips to help make a day trip go smoothly:
Coordinate with other stay-caytioners for sleepovers and playdates. Parents and partners can also benefit from personal staycations themselves with a break from the daily routine stressors.
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