Five Steps to Crafting the Perfect Self-Care Getaway

Marjorie McMillian at Come On Get Well
 
Sometimes, you need more than a vacation. You need an escape from chaotic schedules, micromanaging bosses, and never-ending chores—a place where you can turn off the constant mental to-do list and focus on you for a while. You need a self-care getaway.
 
Wellness vacations are growing in popularity as people are more stressed out and stretched thin than ever. However, what, exactly, is a self-care vacation, and how can you plan one? Allen Batista Travel offers everything you need to know to start planning your own.

Why Take a Self-Care Getaway?
A self-care trip isn’t just another excuse for a vacation—not that you need an excuse anyway! Planning a trip around self-care is an intentional approach to travel that puts your personal wellness over bucket lists. It’s not about having the most fun, but rather, returning to your daily life as refreshed and rejuvenated as possible.
 
Five Steps to Planning a Self-Care Vacation

1. Decide What Self-Care Means to You
To some people, self-care is a week in an all-inclusive resort without a worry in the world. For others, it’s a quiet weekend in the woods hiking, climbing and camping. Rather than book the vacation you think you should take, think about what will rejuvenate you most.
 
Do you want to relax and reflect? Do you want to engage in an old passion or learn something new? The possibilities are endless.

2. Consider a Retreat
If you’re the type of person that gets stressed out by travel itineraries, Chopra suggests considering a retreat rather than a DIY getaway. Whether you book a yoga retreat, a stay at a spa hotel, or a cabin in the backcountry, having activities and meals pre-planned for you lets you forget about logistics and focus on you.

3. Prepare for a Digital Detox
Nothing will ruin a self-care vacation faster than a call from your boss in the middle of a meditation retreat. Red Online says to give yourself your full attention and unplug while traveling. Leave your laptop at home, keep your cell phone charged but on silent, and disconnect from Wi-Fi so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience.
 
If you feel the urge to share travel photos, try writing letters and postcards to loved ones back home instead. While a complete unplugging may be impossible given your circumstances, mindfulness about cell phone use can still be beneficial.

4. Don’t Overspend
It’s tempting to throw caution to the wind in the name of self-care, but overspending on a self-care getaway could leave you with serious guilt. Rather than risk a bad vacation hangover, stick to getaways that are comfortably within your budget.
 
That doesn’t have to mean missing out; domestic or abroad, there are tons of affordable wellness destinations.

5. Outsource Preparations
Most of us will plan out our trips down to the letter if we can, regardless of whether it’s a short weekend getaway or the trip of a lifetime. But what if, for once, you let someone else take care of the planning?
 
Sure, you can supply the timeline, budget, and requirements, but a pro who is adept at planning out an itinerary, lodgings, dining tips and even transportation can help you make the most of your time off.
 
You also don’t have to go through a pricey travel agency to do this. Look for a travel specialist who understands exactly what you’re looking for in a vacation, and let them take care of the details so that all you have to do is pack.
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What If a Getaway Isn’t Enough?
When you’re struggling with depression and anxiety and feel like you’re in a mental situation you can’t fix, it’s wise to work with a professional counselor. This is as easy as reviewing your insurance coverage to find an in-network provider, then booking an appointment.
 
If your schedule is too strained for an in-office session, virtual therapy is a perfectly viable second choice that's more manageable for busy lives. Find a reliable platform that offers online therapy and takes your insurance or at least offers reasonable rates, then select a therapist who fits your specific needs.
 
You can even book a same-day appointment you can attend at home with your computer or smartphone. After you start to establish a plan to manage your concerns with your therapist, they’re likely to say that a self-care getaway is a perfect opportunity to get your mental health back on track.
 
Having fun isn’t the only reason to book a getaway. When the stresses of life are getting to you, take time out to reconnect with yourself. By making time and space to put your mental health first, you can return to daily life with new energy and a fresh perspective.
 
Contact Allen Batista Travel to book self-care vacation

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