Ever felt more tired now, staying at home all day? You’re not alone. A lot of people all over the world suffer from extreme exhaustion being cooped up indoors complying with strict quarantine measures in their locale. It’s really no surprise. In fact, there are a lot of reasons it seems like you’re always thrown into a downward spiral, even though you’re only at home.

Why You’re Always Tired at Home

For one, there’s the feeling of being overwhelmed. It’s not just work you’re trying to sort out every day. You’re thinking about so many things, from keeping yourself safe from the virus and taking care of the people you’re with to cleaning the house and handling daily coronavirus news, which we know, aren’t very encouraging most of the time.

On top of those, there’s cabin fever. Longing to go out and see friends face to face, you find no relief stuck in the four corners of your house.

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For these reasons and more, the need to de-stress and go to the beach or any relaxing destination is strong. Surely, the time will come when you’ll be able to see the white sand beaches of Boracay again and channel your party ideas for the perfect bash. But for now, unwinding during quarantine only means one thing: staycation. Here’s how you can make the best kind of it at home.

1. Take a day off work.

Trust us, if you don’t make time for rest, you won’t be able to experience it. Be intentional in planning your staycation and go file that vacation leave. Even though you’re working in the comforts of your home, you still have the right to take a break. In fact, you should.

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It will recharge your mind, giving you a renewed sense of motivation once you go back. You have plenty of options on how to enjoy a vacation at home: get more sleep, pursue your personal hobbies, attend an online class you’ve always wanted to attend, and more below.

2. Disconnect from the online world.

While it’s good to stay connected with loved ones and to the news virtually, it’s also important to put limits on it. Zoom fatigue is real: video calls can be draining. Updates about the rising cases of infections and deaths can hurt your mental health. This is why it’s worth unplugging even for a while when you do decide to make that staycation project happen.

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While this can mean completely going offline (if you can), you could also just minimize your time online. Dedicate only an hour of screen time or leave your gadget inside the cabinet so you won't reach for it before or after sleep. With this, you can free your mind and plan more rewarding things to do on a staycation.

3. Create a schedule.

As mentioned, it’s crucial to be intentional during your staycation. In the same way that an itinerary is essential in a Boracay vacation, a schedule of holiday activities can help you maximize your day off. Without it, there’s a good chance you’ll only sleep in or binge-watch Netflix movies, which isn’t entirely a bad thing. But if you want to make your staycation more meaningful, then make every effort to make it happen.

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The schedule doesn’t need to be jam-packed with stuff to do. Keep a balance between recreation and rest. One good staycation tip is to just think of one major activity in the morning, afternoon, and in the evening. In between those to-do’s, that’s when you rest.

4. Decorate your room with a hotel vibe.

If you’re missing Boracay, bring a piece of it to your bedroom: the luxe accommodations atmosphere. If you have a lot more budget to spare, you can revamp the layout and include a reading nook, a coffee corner, and a work desk area, on top of the bed space and vanity. You simply have to get the defining pieces of furniture for each space, and then add some elements, such as rugs, throw pillows, or plants, to complete the look and bring out the holiday vibe.

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But if you’re for an upgrade that doesn’t cost much, focus on the accents. For instance, change your curtains. Go for neutrals, such as gray, cream, or beige. These are the hotels' favorites. Then hang sheer fabrics as another layer to the ensemble. Take this holiday at home idea to the next level by hanging some wall art on an empty wall, replace your headboard, and go for some cozy duvet.

5. Go on a movie night.

Out of all the home staycation ideas out there, this is perhaps on everyone’s list. But as for your movie night, make it special. Give it a cinema feel, for instance. Print out tickets for people you live with and prepare some snacks for them.

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If you can take the movie outdoors, better. An empty wall in your backyard can easily serve as your white screen. A mini projector you can easily buy from online stores would complete the entire staycation cinema feel.

6. Cook special dishes for dinner.

Just because you’re in a home staycation doesn’t mean you should miss out on trying different food. Satisfy your international cuisine cravings by preparing kimchi, ramen or pad thai. Or maybe you can try your hand at cooking bagnet, dinengdeng or lauya. Look for recipes online to start getting busy in the kitchen.

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On vacation days when you’re celebrating a big occasion, say, your wedding anniversary or your kid’s birthday, what will make your dinner more special is a nice, visually-appealing table set-up. Scour Pinterest boards for inspirations, then buy the table runners, placemats, and charger plates online.

7. Or just have your meal delivered to your doorstep.

Of course, there’s also the option of placing an order online from your most loved restaurants. It’s easy, fast, and guaranteed to make your tummy satisfied. More importantly, it’s safe. There’s no evidence that points to coronavirus being transmitted by food. So there’s no problem with food delivery.

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If you plan to pick up your food from the restaurant though, remember the health and safety precautions when going to public establishments. Don’t crowd with other patrons waiting for their takeout. Practice social distancing when trying out this staycation tip.

8. Put on some background music.

A simple act, such as listening to some good tunes, can do wonders in putting you in a relaxed mood, making your staycation a lot better. Try it when you’re cooking meals, reading a book, or even doing the laundry.

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If you find it hard to fall asleep because of the anxiety during this time, music can also help. Listening to relaxing sounds can reduce heart rate and slow down your breathing, making it easier to drift off to slumber. With this staycation idea, it would feel like sleeping soundly in a plush hotel.

9. Visit a museum.

Virtually, that is. A lot of museums have created digital tours so art enthusiasts can still see their favorite art pieces while at home. Go to The Met Museum. See the Great Hall, Cloisters, and the Temple of Dendur. From there, move to Paris at the Louvre. Check out their different exhibitions, from Egyptian Antiquities to Power Plays.

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If you have kids at home, this holiday at home idea will be a very good educational experience for them. You never know, you may be grooming the Van Gogh or Picasso of the next generation.

10. Have a spa day.

While it may take some time to experience again the best spa treatments of your favorite resort hotel in Boracay, the good news is you can have a version of it in your home staycation by transforming your bathroom into a spa.

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Set the mood for the pampering session: take the clutter out, light some scented candles, and play some saxophone music. Don’t forget to put the essentials on standby. Include bath bombs, bath salts, aromatherapy lotion and body wash, charcoal mud mask, and of course, your velvet bathrobe. After trying out this staycation idea, you’ll surely look good and feel great.

This quarantine can take a toll on everyone’s mental health. Cooped up at home, not seeing friends face to face and not having a distinct break from work, you can really slip into a cesspool of frustration and anxiety. Don’t let it happen. Use these staycation tips to find relief and at least a bit of fun in this stressful time.

10 Staycation Tips That Will Make Quarantine Less Stressful