Firstly what is a daycation? Basically, it’s a good old fashioned day out.
Since our children came into our lives last summer, living day-to-day has been just about as much as we could cope with, nevermind planning a proper holiday or longer-term travel. Kids can be unpredictable. This means planning things in advance can be tough – what if they are tired/ill/fighting with each other etc? Therefore, over the last year (barring lockdown), daycations have been our travel go to.
Maybe you don’t have kids but still don’t like planning things in advance either? For you spontaneity is key. If that sounds like you, a daycation holds a number of benefits for you too.
So what are the benefits? Well apart from the lack of need to forward plan, here are our top 10:
Little Commitment
It may have been a brief chat with your partner, a random idea to take the kids out for the day or even a drunken decision made at the pub (when they reopen of course) with friends. You may have even put the date in your diary. But then the day arrives and you can’t get the time off work/you can’t be bothered/you’re ill or you simply forget. Unless you have paid for something (i.e. an attraction, brunch) beforehand if you can’t or don’t want to go, you’ve not really lost anything.
Minimal Disruption
Taking a daycation is not going to disrupt your life too much, especially if you take it on your day off (if you get one!). If you’re in the middle of a project (professional or personal) or have life commitments taking a day away is more often than not doable and certainly more doable than taking a week or two away for a longer staycation or a holiday. Also, as you are only taking a day trip the likelihood is you won’t travel far, so if you need to get back quickly you can.
Affordable
As you’re only taking a day trip, it’s obviously going to be more affordable than a 2 week all-inclusive in Mexico. Of course, day trips can be expensive depending on what you do, how many kids you have in tow, where you eat etc. However, you can make them budget-friendly. If like us you are a city dweller, getting back to nature is a great way to spend a daycation. Walking in the countryside or along a nearby beach are our favourite things, both of which are free.
A Change is As Food As a Rest
It’s easy to fall into a rut when it comes to your free days (if you are of course lucky enough to have any). Prior to having kids, Sunday was our day to not do much. We were usually hungover. Therefore we’d binge watch Netflix, eat junk food and dread Monday morning rolling around again too soon. Having kids who will not sit still for more than 3.4 seconds has made us realise that getting out and about and taking a daycation every Sunday was the change we needed but never knew it.
Break Your Routine
“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal.” ―
Get Some ‘You’ Time
Why not take a daycation on your own? If you have been locked down, up to your eyeballs with work or unable to leave the house due to childcare issues, maybe a day away from it all will make you feel like a new person. Treat it as an act of self-care, which is super important for our mental health. Maybe you don’t have similar interests to your friends and family? If so, why not visit somewhere for the day that you have always wanted to go and spend the day exploring for yourself.
New Experiences
A daycation is a great way of taking part in new experiences. It could be a something that you have always wanted to do – maybe even a bucket list experience? It could be a spa day, sporting event, gig, historical site etc. If the experience is not too far from home, a daycation is perfect as it cuts down on hotel costs (and likely subsequent out of pocket expenses too) which you could then put toward the experience to make it even better. An extra treatment at the spa or a few more pints at the gig anyone?
Taster for a Longer Staycation
A daycation is a great way of trying a place out without committing to a longer stay. Not everyone likes everywhere after all. Therefore why not spend the day somewhere and if you love it/have a great experience then return for a longer staycation in the future? However, staycations can be costly, depending on the accommodation that you choose and no-one likes to waste money. Therefore an initial daycation (if the destination is not too far) is a great way to get a feel for the place.
Reconnect
Why not take a daycation with a loved one, family member or even friend? As lockdown measures are easing now in the UK, we can welcome people into our social bubbles. Therefore taking a daycation with someone is a great way to reconnect after 12 weeks of lockdown. In the ‘normal’ world there are a number of reasons why we people may not see each other that often – work, distance, busy social lives etc. A day away just the two (or more) of you is a great way to reconnect.
Create Lasting Memories
Regardless of who you take your daycation with – partner, kids, family or friends, they are a great way of creating lasting memories. Of course, it’s unlikely you are going to remember each and every day out you ever time, but the special ones you really will. If you pick the right place, it’s almost guaranteed that you will make memories that will last a lifetime. Especially as we exit lockdown. We’re sure we will all remember our first post-lockdown daycation wherever it may be.
Do some reasons resonate more than others? In today’s culture of always wanting to do more, you shouldn’t be surprised if more than one of these reasons rings true for you.
So… what are you doing tomorrow?
Feature Image: ID 58345065 © Gordon Bell | Dreamstime.com
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