Summer as a staycation is a new concept for most of us. It does not have to disappoint though. Improvise.Adapt.Overcome! Consider how you would relax and train on your next holiday, and bring these activities safely to your home and immediate surroundings; make this staycation one to remember! This month, we break it down for you in a two-part series looking at helping you make the most out of your Staycation.

In these times of crisis, distance/home – working has become bearable and habits have started to set in. Though the day to day of lockdown and its dance of telework, home fitness, video aperos/drinks and other virtual social interactions may be coming to end or loosening up for some lucky few, the concept of affordable and accessible travel getaways that our global life has given us over the last 30 years is not likely to come back to it’s golden days for a while.

As vacations to both close and remote places seem out of reach for the time being, “staycation” on the other hand is a concept many of us have decided to make the most of, with the summer days around the corner. 

How do you then get pumped for your staycation and what role does your fitness routine play in this? It’s not because you are not going to your favorite holiday, that you cannot get ready for your staycation, and avoid injury!

In this 2 part newsletter, we explore how the mind & body can work together to make the most of the freedoms and “escapes” you have at your disposal (part 1), while diving into some practical ways of staying safe and injury-free (part 2).

Let’s explore – what is a vacation?

The excitement of seeing something new, of exploring unknown treasures, relaxing, the great outdoors and its many sporting attractions, great weather or just an escape from the daily grind…

These tend to be in people’s top reasons for heading on their annual breaks. The key theme throughout all of these responses is changing the status quo of our day to day routine!

How to plan for a staycation

All of us have different lockdown circumstances. We thus look at two main groups and ideas for each: 

The Confined Homestayers – locked-down and unable to leave base camp, and 

The Lucky Wanderers – able to go out for exercise 

No matter which group you find yourself in, we hope through this, your staycation will be something to remember.

How do you keep consistent with fitness whilst on or prepping for your staycation?

As we’ve been exploring in our last publications, motivation, commitment and setting achievable goals are all part of the course. As Corona sprung itself on the world, putting many of our  traditional patterns of life into disarray, fitness has not been immune. 

Though it is the perfect storm for YouTube fitness coaches to gain substantial visibility, we like to share with you in this 2 part newsletter the importance of how wellness and tailoring your workouts is key to 360° success & happiness and the benefits of working with a personal trainer.

Whichever form of staycation you choose for yourself, it’s important to keep to the physical goals and objectives you have set yourself since the beginning of the year. Physical training is part of your overall wellness and helps with keeping a healthy mind and routine, especially under the current circumstances as well as with overall productivity. 

Though breaking away from the day to day may be relaxing vs playing hard, the key is to keep to your goals. The opportunity is 1) more time and 2) a change. This is where having a bespoke trainer who can adapt your programmes is key. 

Though a staycation may mean you carry on with your usual workouts and routines, why not ask your trainer how to add more mindfulness to it or tailor your programme to give it a holiday feel. It is often said that it takes 21 days to form a habit and this is typically the time for your body to get used to new programmes. Consider hiking & walking in local nature instead of a stair master, set challenges with friends & family such as push-ups or planks or why not give the t-shirt or spin challenge a try. Take the time to add yoga and meditation to your routines and go within. Adding different exercises to your standard routine will add value to your 3 months, 6 months, or yearly objectives.

Remember virtual trainers are like your phones, can be taken anywhere and are dedicated to your personal needs, no matter your circumstances.

More than feeling good, self-love is dynamic and “grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth”. Be gentle and patient with yourself. Working towards your goals, and the body you want, like forming new healthy and long lasting habits, is not done over the course of a day. It takes patience, intent and commitment, to yourself first and foremost. In our March newsletter, we looked at ideas to get ready for your summer getaway (using optical illusion, nutrition and commitment); these can still be applied to getting ready for your staycation. 

Summer as a staycation is new to most of us. As you get creative and inspired about getting started with your staycation, stay tuned for part 2, where we dive into practical ways of staying safe and injury-free.