Staycation’s Can Boost Productivity I Promise!
Something had to give, I needed a break and I needed it fast. After working my ass off without much financial gain and churning out endless posts, I needed to re-evaluate my priorities and some time away would do me the world of good. The only issue was how I would fund this ‘quick vacation’ when I barely had a penny to my name. I quickly looked at holidays abroad and shuddered at the prices; even with the little money I had, I could not afford to vacation outside the UK. I was at my tethers end; feeling sluggish, de-motivated and fatigued could I find the pep in my step? The answer was so simple, what about the ‘staycation’ I had heard so much about? After all it would be a cheap, quick fix and I didn’t need a fancy hotel room.
After finding a hostel that would give me three days peace and quiet for £60 and included free wifi and breakfast I was sold. Sure it was inexpensive but best of all it would give me the quiet tranquility that I craved. When entrepreneurs work around the clock to run their businesses, the prospect of ‘rest’ is alien but we all need a break at times. As I work three jobs including blogging my energy levels are often low; being able to hole away in a random hostel would help clear my mind. After all who wouldn’t want a solo vacation away from home? Besides it might not be abroad but at least it was in a different city.
Going on a staycation felt lonely at first as I was so used to noise, that the silence was unnerving. As I settled into the quiet silence my mind began whirring with ideas. I wrote pages by hand of post ideas, SEO tips and ongoing posts to write, before translating it into my computer screen. There was no rush but I took advantage of the rare free time I had and wrote an average of three blog posts a day. I answered emails and scheduled posts in advance but best of all I felt calm and de-stressed. There was no second job to go to and before I knew it the three days were up in a flash. I was almost sorry to leave my hostel room behind but I needed to return to reality.
Why Should You Go On A Staycation?
According to Dan Sullivan, co-founder of ‘Strategic Coach’ entrepreneurs will benefit from ‘free-time’ because that is when productivity occurs. In other words when we are most ‘immobile’ we produce our best content, because there is no pressure to perform. When entrepreneurs are under pressure we ‘balk’ and exhaust our mental and physical capacities to succeed. Sullivan’s philosophy makes complete sense; when I work too many hours I have less motivation to be organized and deliver content. I spend hours perfecting posts and delivering audience driven content, yet sometimes its not enough.
Going on a staycation taught me how to ‘effectively’ organize my time. Since coming back from my ‘mini-break’ I have found it easier to ‘relax’ and am working shorter hours. I know when I go back to work it will be more challenging to be productive but for now I feel refreshed. When we allow our bodies to rest, our minds get ‘nutrition’ resulting in a ‘renewal of energy’.
How Staycation’s Can Restore Our Mental Resources
We often mistake ‘sleep’ and ‘rest’ as ‘boosting’ our physical well-being, yet ‘rest’ is the fuel that our brain needs too. Our mind is home to ‘mental resources’ and when we are mentally fatigued the resources are harder to access.Mental resources refer to the amount of ‘processing power’ a human brain has; when mental resources are under ‘strain’ its output of ideas becomes limited. In other words our brains are like muscles and can be strengthened or depleted. When you recharge your batteries i.e. take a staycation it results in a regular process of ‘re-fueling’.
Regular refueling (input) is a prerequisite for high quality output because our brains function on ‘energy’. If you are mentally exhausted this affects how effectively your brain garners and dispenses information. Thus if I am attempting to write a post on 4 hours sleep, after working a 10 hour day, chances are the post might be a load of s**t. Taking a staycation showed me how ‘continuous work’ has a negative impact on my productivity. I always tended to reject the 90 minute or every three hours break rule, as I thought I could work faster over a longer time period. Sometimes though it is not about how ‘fast you write’ a post but the quality of your work. In actual fact not taking breaks often makes me procrastinate in between posts, whereas time away from my computer produces far superior quality of work.
How To Use A Staycation To Boost Productivity
- If the purpose of your staycation is to ‘work’ then set working hours with regular breaks in between. For example 12-6 or 9-3, ensuring that you don’t work past the cut off time. For me I would start at 12 after having a hearty free breakfast, before taking a break after every blog post written. I made sure to finish by 8 at the latest and then spent the rest of the time watching movies and messing around on social media.
- Start your day with a good breakfast. Before my staycation it had been a while since I had eaten breakfast. It is so important to eat breakfast to enhance productivity, after all it is the most important meal of the day.
- If your staycation is to actually take a ‘break’ then switch off all devices or even better leave them at home. We spend so much time attached to our devices that we forget how to ‘rest’. Even if it is for a few hours each day, taking time away from our devices will help you become more productive.
Have You Taken A Staycation Before? Did It Help Boost Your Productivity Levels?
Shop The Look
*PR Sample
So much fun!! It sounds like an adventure. 😀 The look is very mod flapper…I love it!! (Also, I have a slight addiction to anything velvet. lol.)
Dear Ana, I know that it is very powerful! When I travel I get a lot of inspirations so I need to write them down… because when I’m back… I tend to forget some great ideas (sometimes)! <3
I always write them down.
Love staycations and sounds like you got a deal at that hostel! Hope you’re nice and relaxed 🙂
I need to do this more ~ harder to do when you are traveling non-stop 🙂 I’ve never been a breakfast fan, however, I am very productive during this time, just seem to do better in the mornings! Great info ~
I like the idea of a staycation – I never thought of it being able to boost my productivity, though, which is a cool side effect. I have to try that. And again, as always you look really good in those clothes, love the jacket. Blessings!
Staycation is always the best idea to take a break from a busy schedule and rejuvenate yourself! Glad that you took staycation from your hectic schedule!
I love taking a staycation – we’ve actually stayed in hotels in our own city before, just for a break!
Sounds like you had a well deserved staycation. I will have to try it out myself at some point! Desperate for a bit of downtime from social media. Also definitely need to meet up over next week or too. I’m free at weekends if that works for you. Otherwise I can meet you after work (:
You will have to come to Scarlett’s again haha that would be fun to see you after work! How are things?
Yes I am already craving my next getaway and it dosent break the bank either!
I’ve never heard of a staycation before. It does sound very interesting
This sounds like a tremendous idea, particularly from a ‘creative’ point of view. A change of environment – much like a clean working area – can be tremendously inspirational and encourage the ideas to flow. Great post!
I love the idea of having a staycation – it sounds like it worked wonders for you x
I have never taken a staycation with the sole purpose of fueling my creativity. It really is a brilliant concept and I am so glad to hear how it has worked for your creativity! Happy new year. x
What a wonderful idea. It sounds like a staycation was perfect for you to boost your productivity!
You got a great deal too at the hostel. It sounds like it was worth every penny.
I am so glad you managed to get away and recharge, I have heard of staycations but never been on one, we all need a break at times x
I love staycations, there is so much beauty here in the UK and there is so much to explore
What a great idea! Definitely a great start to the new year, and might I add, you look stunning!!
Great post!
I’m so glad you were able to get away and recharge. It seems like the staycation worked really well for you and you were able to do it without breaking the bank. You certainly got a lot accomplished too!
I love a staycation and it can be just what you need to have a reset.
Your Staycation sounds like absolute bliss to me and I could do with that right now and today is only the first day back to work x
It sounds like a few days away really helped you! I often find taking a break helps my creativity 🙂
This sounds like a perfect plan! I also would like to be on my own for a bit, even if it’s in my own city! Great post xx
Sometimes you really need to shut yourself away and have some ‘me’ time.
I’m so pleased to hear that you found the staycation beneficial. I’d love to try something like that but probably in a hotel and in about 18 years when the kids are a bit more self sufficient.
Glad you managed to get a break and recharge your batteries a bit. We can’t afford to go away for the next few years. We’ve been doing some family trips to London and we went to Bath for a break as well. It’s just nice to get away from the routine of home.
I really think this is something that would do me the world of good. For my sanity too lol
I love going on staycation and I rarely take my laptop with me so I can truly relax x
Staycations are awesome! That’s one of my favorite things to do when I feel drained and tired from “real” life. I think it’s awesome that you gave yourself time to go on a staycation!
I tend to take staycations in a bid to switch off (as much as possible) and explore my local environment. I am feeling the same about holidays at the moment, everything I price up is way out of our budget
Good for you! You got this, I have always been a firm believer in recharging the batteries, you really do need to take a break and get away weather on holiday or a stay-cation it’s so important as it lets you clear out you mind and re focus on what’s important, I have to regroup periodically as well so I don’t get myself stuck in a working my butt off rut
Sounds like you needed the break and it did you the world of good! I had a break from everything over Christmas, a bit of a social media detox too – I scheduled some bits and bobs in advance and then switched off and it was amazing! I feel really refreshed and I am so glad I took the break
Really interesting post this. I’ve never thought about having a stay-cation just to get away and get on with my work!
I think a staycation is a fabulous idea. We love going to a local holiday park but when we are there we just chill out and do some work. We don’t feel we have to travel and sightsee
This sounds like just what I need. I did find I was more productive over Christmas as I wasn’t trying to 100 things all at the same time. I think I need to have a break alone
I do a love of these! I don’t mind them at all.
You look fantastic by the way. Love the jacket.
3 blog posts a day is quite an achievement. I am able to finish only one in a day with all the social media activities I do. Stay cation sounds wonderful but the concept of going out and still working, not sure I can do it but the idea of changing your workplace sure boots your productivity
This is something I need to do more of, I need a good rest! xo
I completely understand! At one time, I was working three jobs aside from the blog (one full time and two side businesses that I ran). It was exhausting!! Sometimes you have to let go of something in order to just breathe. Kudos to you for taking time for yourself and a much needed break.
Liz
http://Www.lizzieinlace.com
I love staycations though 90% of my time is spent traveling abroad. I have come to appreciate a little respite given by a staycation. Great post
Staycations are such a great thing! Like you said sometimes we all need a break and it costs way too much money to go further afield. I live in the city and there is nothing I love more than to take a night or two away somewhere much more peaceful
I could do with a staycation for a few days definitely and it sounds as though you had a productive and value for money one!
I so agree with this. If ever I take myself away from my regular work space, I work so much better. I’m more inspired and I can work harder and for longer. What a brilliant idea! x
I’d love to go on more staycations, especially if I could get them for price! £60 for 3 nights is great! I usually go and explore with my camera but to be able to come back to my room and blog a little would be just fine 😀
This sounds great! I think its something we need as a family but my kids chilling isnt possible but just the change of scenery would do us good, great post 🙂
It sounds like your break was just what you needed. I agree that all we need a little break every now and then, I love staycations and normally have at least one each year x
A staycation definitely sounds like something I could do with right now! x
This can help you boost productivity and save some valuable time in the process. It’s hard to stay productive all the time these days but when you enjoy what you do that can help a lot.
Staycation sounds perfect right about now. Especially with all the stress from the holidays. Now I just have to figure out how to do it with kids. 🙂
The idea of a staycation sounds great. I’ve never really thought out one before, but you’ve definitely changed my mind x
I really need a staycation. It can be so exhausting working back to back that you don’t even thinks of resting. I am going to add this to my bucket list.
I would love a staycation after the crazy year I’ve had – not to mention the 10 years before that. 🙁 I definitely need a boost in my productivity and some alone time too. I have to plan something soon!
I actually had a staycation recently and it was great! I try to take one at least one a year for two to three years now and I’m always amazed at how creative and full of energy I get after taking one.
No, I haven’t! Actually I hadn’t even heard about it before. It seems to be something worth trying as Ialso need a break but financially it’s not possible to travel nor having a proper holiday.
I love staycations, but I have three children who join me on mine! No rest or peace but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am glad yours helped so much. Kaz x
I love going for the option of stay-cation because I cannot afford a holiday outside the country all the time. I can’t believe you found the hostel for 60 – that’s awesome!
I love to be kept busy where I can, but it’s true you can be at your most productive when you take time out to relax x
This is such a good idea, especially when time and money are tight. Very clever to think of a hostel!
I’ve always loved the idea of a staycation .. but have never thought of simply getting a hotel room and hunkering down. What a great idea. It made me feel peaceful just reading about yours. Thank-you!
I so agree with you. Sometimes you just have to step back and prioritize. I just got back from a European vacation (Holland) and the lifestyle there is so much more relaxing. People take time to enjoy everything. In the US it’s always go, go, go. After getting back I vowed to just take it easy and not to stress.
Yes the idea of a staycation is great. I find when I’m away relaxing for a few days that I write better content. When I have loads on its not so spontaneous.
I long to go on a staycation. Just me. Alone. Even for just one whole day to recharge, rejuvenate, and be in the silence of my own thoughts. I’ve been craving to have one, even though I know that all I will do is sleep. Nevertheless, I know I’d come home refreshed and ready to face work and responsibilities with more vigor.
Sounds like a much-needed break! I’be taken staycations before and have found them to be incredibly rejuvenating.