Low-cost, less stress and nobody asking, 'Are we there yet?': Why a staycation might be your summer travel solution

Sometimes the best vacation is just staying home (or at least pretty darn nearby). Take it from me, a travel journalist who has been all over the world but found that there’s nothing quite as relaxing as leaving my dishes and laundry (and children) behind and posting up at my favorite neighborhood pool or spending the night in a chic hotel just a few miles from my house.

The term “staycation” was first used in 1944, and it may have originated as a wartime effort to save gas. And while it may lack the glamour or wanderlust of today’s overachieving travel culture, in which travel influencers are ticking off visited countries by the dozen, staycationing is a great opportunity to take advantage of what your surroundings have to offer. What's more, planning a staycation somewhere within the cozy confines of your own hometown can reduce travel stress and cut costs. Bonus: It also comes with stealth health benefits.

And it couldn’t be easier to pull off: ResortPass conducted a survey last year that found 85% of employed Americans said they felt recharged after taking only one day off work, no matter where they went or how they spent it. The survey also found that “staycations” or “daycations” are seeing rapid growth — about 50% each year. Airbnb’s recent summer travel trends report backs this up, finding that U.S. travelers are prioritizing spontaneous staycations this summer. The vacation rental booking platform is seeing a significant increase in searches for trips within 300 miles of guests’ homes.

Still not convinced on why — and how — a staycation is worth pulling off? Ahead, experts break down the benefits, while a few professional globetrotters share their tips on making the most of your time off.

The pros of staying close to home

Perhaps the most compelling reason to plan a staycation is just how much less planning it requires than travel. “Staying closer to home can help reduce the stress of planning a trip, including deciding on a destination, figuring out transportation and managing expenses,” says Lisa Pittman, who has unique expertise in this area: She is both a licensed psychologist and a certified travel coach.

Pittman knows that while traveling can be enjoyable, it comes with its own set of challenges. “Even positive stress is still stress,” she says. In fact, there's a commonly used stress rating scale (the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory) that includes both positive and negative life stressors, “and vacation is one of them,” says psychologist Hannah Holmes.

“Typical vacations usually require extensive planning and significant cost, not to mention disruption to your day-to-day routine,” Holmes tells Yahoo Life. Staying close by, meanwhile, allows you to recharge with all the comforts of home while cutting down on costs and travel time. It also “provides a sense of control over one’s environment, which is a key factor in managing anxiety,” Pittman adds.

And staycationing can remove the pressures of a jam-packed itinerary typical of travel: If you were jetting off somewhere far-flung (and paying a premium for it), you may feel obligated to load your schedule with activities in order to get your money’s worth. “Without the urgency to explore everything at once, a staycation allows for a more relaxed and flexible approach to leisure — free from the expectation of maximizing every moment,” says Pittman.

A staycation can also give you the same type of mental health benefits that a vacation would. “You give your brain some time off,” explains Dr. Jessica Reddy, a psychiatrist. “The excitement from the change in routine can also release those feel-good chemicals in the brain, called dopamine. A staycation essentially gives your brain the opportunity and space to fully relax and reset.”

Yes, you can feel 'travel awe' right where you are

Opting for a staycation doesn't mean you’re skipping out on the unique experiences aspect of a vacation. With a little imagination, a staycation can help you appreciate what’s on offer close to home — and can even be awe-inspiring. “Awe is about breaking routine and seeing the world with fresh eyes, so even a sunrise hike or stargazing night can light up your brain in the same way as international travel,” says Reddy. “Prioritize novelty, nature and a little bit of wonder,” she advises.

To spark awe without leaving town, try doing something you've never done in your own city — like visiting a new garden, museum or rooftop view. Or “consider taking a day trip to a nearby destination,” recommends Pittman. “If you have a list of places you've been meaning to visit, now is the perfect time to check one off.” Do a search for the top attractions in your state, or ask friends and neighbors for their favorite spots nearby.

Here's a hack from Reddy that can make your staycation really special, inspired by a question she asks her patients: What was an activity you loved as a child? Tap into that past joy by seeking out outings with a similar spirit, whether it's grabbing tickets for a local sandlot baseball game, signing up for a painting class you wouldn't normally make time for or visiting a picturesque park on the other side of town.

More ways to make the most of your staycation

Don’t overplan. Since most people take a week or less off from work, “it's important not to overwhelm yourself with too many options,” says Pittman. Instead, “focus on experiences that genuinely bring joy and relaxation, ensuring your staycation remains fulfilling rather than exhausting."

Stay active. When you travel, chances are you hit some serious steps — through airports, exploring a new city, or even hitting up hiking trails. Don’t let your staycation, on the other hand, turn you into a couch potato. “Connect with friends or family at an outdoor location — perhaps a scenic spot where you can hike or take a leisurely walk,” says Pittman. Reddy agrees. “Plan an itinerary with movement built in, such as biking to a farmer’s market, hiking a local trail or taking a walking food tour of your city," she suggests. "Physical activity boosts mood and energy, and pairing it with something new can rewire your brain for joy.”

Get off screens. And that doesn’t just mean your work computer! “Staycations offer a chance to be unplugged, as screen time/social media/news can detrimentally impact mental health and sleep,” says Reddy. “This is a time for intentionality, to have the freedom to play outside of the bounds of regular life.” So shut that laptop, turn off text notifications and please, no doomscrolling.

Do something creative. Staycations are an opportunity to dig into what inspires you, outside of the daily grind. Reddy advises staycationers to “make progress on any personal projects or ideas,” like doing some creative writing, reading for pleasure or other hobbies. This, she says, can reinvigorate your creative spark.

Check in with your sense of purpose. When you’re stuck in the routine of work-kids-cooking-cleaning and the like, it’s “easy to get caught up in the ‘doing’ and the ‘what’ in our lives,” says Reddy. In this cycle, “eventually the ‘why’ becomes less clear. Having some time to reflect on one’s life purpose ... can be beneficial in evaluating and resetting priorities.” Who knew your staycation would turn out to be so life-affirming?

Remember: It doesn’t have to be epic. Alas, even the humble staycation can become a victim of social media-fueled lifestyle creep. But you do not need to shell out serious cash or spend all your PTO to curate the perfect peaceful staycation. If you don’t have time or money for some souped-up, week-long staycation that involves a stint at the fanciest boutique hotel in town, “even setting aside a few hours to relax at home — listening to music, reading a book or soaking up the sun — can offer meaningful mental health benefits,” says Holmes.

But make sure you’re “prioritizing rest and relaxation,” she adds, “rather than filling your free time with chores. Recreate the same calm and joy you’d find on a traditional vacation.” Is this the nudge you needed to put up a hammock in the backyard?