Watching the news and flicking through social media is pretty bleak at the moment. We are currently in the grasp of a worldwide pandemic and in lieu of a better word, it’s shit. Supermarket shelves are empty, hospitals are close to breaking point and enforced lockdowns have been put in place in many countries. Therefore travel is simply not possible for the majority of us now or in the near to mid-term future. Obviously, we understand the importance of adhering to any and all guidelines, rules and laws. Yet for travel lovers, this is tough and is likely to get tougher. With this in mind, we have put together a list of 5 easy(ish) ways to have a holiday at home.
Cocktails
We love a cocktail and always (over)indulge in them while we are travelling. Whether it’s an Aperol Spritz in Italy or a Mojito in Cuba, we are all about them. Therefore, a great way of feeling like you are on holiday at home is to mix and enjoy some (or a lot of) cocktails. We have quite a large booze collection, most of which have been bought on our travels. We are also proud owners of a cocktail making book which we have still yet to complete. Now is a perfect time.
If you do not have a booze cupboard full of half-empty high alcohol content bottles, need mixers or ice and are not in quarantine or self-isolating, you will still be able to head to the supermarket to stock up. Stick on some music, mix up a storm and sip your cocktail and reminisce about holidays gone by. Obviously, if you do not drink, fruity mocktails can be just as wonderful and memory inducing. There are plenty of recipes on the internet to wet your whistle.
Cook
As with a fruity alcoholic beverage, certain food can trigger memories of great far off destinations. The smell of freshly cooked pizza always reminds us of lazy summer evenings sat outside a trattoria in one of Italy’s popular cities. And to this day we cannot eat a crabcake with lashings of sweet chilli sauce without instantly being transported back to Koh Samui in Thailand where we spent part of our honeymoon nearly 9 years ago.
Therefore, another way to have a holiday at home is either to recreate a tasty dish you tried on one of your jaunts. Another option is to scour the internet for new recipes to try. With people going crazy at supermarkets you may not want to venture out and you may be running low on certain things. If so, you could check out SuperCook, you simply tick the ingredients you have and it will give you some suggested recipes, some of which are thoroughly mouthwatering.
Read
Now we don’t know about you, but there’s not much time to kick back with a good book on a regular basis (or if at all). Between working full time, running a house, raising a couple of kids and writing a blog, even finding 5 minutes for a shower can sometimes prove tricky (but obviously we always do!). Therefore when we are on holiday and the daily routines and responsibilities are not hanging over us we can block out the world and submerge ourselves in a good read or two.
From travel guides to works of fiction, whatever escapism you enjoy, this is a great time to crack open a new book or pick up your e-reader (or order one if you have the means to do so) and recreate your holiday at home. If you rely on local libraries and they are closed, check out local book swap Facebook groups, allowing you to swap (doorstep delivery) with people in your local area. Also, local bookshops will most likely still be able to post books you have ordered via their website.
Relax
Set some time aside to relax and take in/zone out what’s going on around you. Holidays are a great way of getting away from the daily grind and often allow periods of relaxation (if you want them of course). From sunbathing on a lounger around the pool or on the beach to taking guilt-free afternoon naps. So in this unprecedented time why not enjoy some downtime and catch up on some well earned rest and relaxation. Perfect for our mental health.
Obviously, key workers and people who care for older relatives and/or children may find this tricky. Time is precious and everyone is doing as much as they can for others at the moment. However, it is important that we make time for ourselves, even if it’s just for 20 minutes a day. Relaxation for one person may be catching up on their favourite Netflix show, whereas for others it may be lighting a candle and meditation. Do what YOU need to do to relax.
Spa
We have been washing our hands like nobodies business recently haven’t we? Meaning we are now a nation of people with dry knuckles. Urgh. When we are on holiday we love indulging in a spa day. Hot tub, sauna and a couple of treatments. Now the hot tub and sauna may be a bit tricky unless you are lucky enough to have one at home. However, treatments are easily doable, especially if like us you have a raft of half-used bottles of lotions and potions.
So while digging out your hand cream to combat the cracked skin on your hands, why not see what other beauty products you have (or can get your hands on). The stress of the global situation may be taking a toll on your without you really even knowing and your skin is often the first telltale sign you are run down. So try to treat it well in these crazy times. If you are living/self-isolation with a partner why not check out some YouTube videos and teach yourself how to give the perfect massage.
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