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Feeling like you need to get away from it all? It’s not called a short getaway for no reason. There are many benefits of a short getaway, it’s not just escaping your life for a bit.
If you’re finding that your life is currently on auto-pilot and you feel you have no time for yourself, and one busy week blends into another, then it’s time you did something to break the status quo.
A short getaway is your chance to recharge your batteries and come back to your daily life feeling happier and ready to tackle the day.
If you’re wondering what benefits a change of scenery can do for you, then in this guide we’ve listed all the wonders of getting out of town has done for us.
Benefits of A Short Getaway
We’ve been embracing weekend getaways since we moved permanently to Raleigh a few years ago. It’s much easier to take short trips when your kids are in school and getting ready to start college.
It’s nice to drive for only one or two hours, pack light, and have a beginning and an end to our trip. This is a stark contrast to our 18-month road trip around Australia and 1 year road trip around the USA!
We’ve found this new way of travel has really suited us. And here’s why…
1. Great if your low on money (and time)
If you don’t have a lot of money or time, a quick getaway is a fantastic option. Escaping nearby for a few days mini-vacation or taking a short flight to somewhere warm and exotic is easy and the most cost-effective way to travel.
You don’t have to take time off work, or quit your job, you can simply explore your own back yard or travel locally.
If you’re new to this travel thing, just go an hour away from your home. Go somewhere where it’s easy to plan for, easy to get to, and you don’t have to pack much. Just try that out and have lots of fun.
A simple two-day trip close to home can do wonders for you mentally and physically, but often the biggest reason we don’t take a trip is because of finances.
Don’t underestimate the benefits of staying local and traveling in your own backyard – your wallet will thank you! This is one of the most overlooked and cheapest ways of having more travel in your life.
It can be as simple as filling up the car with fuel, and driving. Plus, there’s less to pack, less to plan, no jet lag and you can spend more time enjoying a place and less time getting there.
If you don’t drive and need to take flights, instead of choosing a destination and trying to find a flight deal, considering flying to where the flight deals already are!
Don’t just fly anywhere for the sake of it, but see where the deals are and then choose a destination you’ll enjoy.
2. It can bring meaning back into your life
I know what it’s like to get to the end of a working week feeling exhausted. In my past life, I worked a physical 50 hour week in a construction job, and Caz worked full-time as a school teacher which drained her mentally. When the weekend came around it was tempting to just want to sit on the couch, have a glass of wine and a foot rub.
But before you know it, Monday arrives and your weekend hasn’t really brought any meaning to your life.
Taking short breaks away from your hometown can help you to reclaim your life back, to bring more meaning to your work week, and make your time off fun again.
You’ll feel refreshed, and when you know you’ve got something exciting to look forward to on the weekend, it helps you get through the week.
Instead of spending every weekend at home dreading Monday morning, why not chose to go someplace new for a change of scenery, to recharge and refocus!
You’ll be accumulating memories, not just possessions, and memories are priceless!
3. You can spend time doing what YOU want to do
Do you want to just go and relax on a beach? Do you want to get away and eat great food all weekend? Or maybe you want to go shopping for a few days?
Or, maybe it’s winter in your destination and you want to jump on a plane and head to someplace warm?
We all have those ideas about what we want to do, all the time. It’s easy to sit in an office and day dream of beaches or mountains.
A short getaway allows you to do just that.
4. Planning is easy
A big mistake travelers make is trying to cram too much in. Trying to do everything on a quick getaway just leaves you exhausted, especially if you travel with kids like us.
The good thing about a short getaway is that you don’t have to plan much. You can simply load up the car and drive, all you need to do is book accommodation for one night and turn up.
Just let the destination do the rest. Go for a walk and you’ll easily stumble on things to do.
If you spend your time unwinding and being present, you’ll appreciate the effort you took to get off the comfy couch and go!
5. Escape the daily routine
Escaping the daily grind with a weekend getaway is a great way to escape the demands of the workplace.
Stepping away from coworkers and the watchful eye of the boss allows for genuine relaxation and rejuvenation.
By unplugging from social media and breaking free from the constant notifications, you can truly unwind and recharge without the pressures of maintaining your persona.
The change of scenery gives you a chance to see a fresh perspective, allowing you to foster more creativity and reduce stress, since it’s different from the common factors that stress you out in your day to day life.
6. Gets you prepared for a long vacation
Embarking on short weekend getaways is a great way to plan for your next adventure of a longer vacation.
These brief excursions offer a taste of relaxation and exploration, giving you an environment where you can focus on leisure time and think about possible destinations for a longer vacation.
The experience gained from a long weekend away can help fine-tune the art of packing, planning itineraries, and adjusting to different environments and cultures, so if you’re new to traveling, consider it a test drive to ensuring a smoother transition into a longer vacation.
7. You can tick off those bucket list items
If you feel like you need more meaning in your life, then a weekend getaway is a great way to check off bucket list moments by visiting new places and taking on new experiences.
Whether it’s taking a hot air balloon ride, swimming with sharks, hiking to the top of a mountain, or going on a safari, these brief escapades not only get you to try new things, but also tick off a once in a lifetime experience.
8. Lower stress levels
A weekend getaway offers a variety of health benefits, too! It allows you to foster a stress-free attitude and promotes relaxation.
Studies indicate that getaways can lead to lower stress hormones, reduced blood pressure, and improved mental health.
Time away from routine responsibilities allows you to un tap your mind, unwind, and in turn, lead to a positive impact on mood and overall well-being.
The experience of new environments and activities contributes to mental rejuvenation and a less stressful mindset.
9. You can get more active
Short breaks are also an excellent way to boost your physical health, since you’re most likely going to spend more time walking and engaging in a more active lifestyle.
When you take short breaks away, you will feel notable gains in your fitness levels without even realizing it.
When you take short breaks away, you might find yourself doing more recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, swimming and more, allowing you to get more active that you normally would be sat in an office.
Final Thoughts
So when you really think about it, a weekend getaway is easier than you think. You just have to make short vacations a priority, and not let life push you around.
Consider all the different places you can travel to within a four hour drive, or a two hour flight, and do this every couple of months.
You don’t have to use your vacation days, or go for a week-long trip, you can just book one overnight stay and make a weekend of it.
There are many benefits of weekend getaways, but as you can see from this guide, they are great for your soul and easy on your bank balance.
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Do you make enough time for weekend getaways? When was the last time you took a weekend away? Let us know in the comments below!
