USC Health Now

Summer is around the corner, but for many, vacation plans may have been put on hold this year. Here are some ways to relax and enjoy the season without breaking the bank.

by Katie Neith

A recent USC Health Now poll indicated that nearly half of respondents are unlikely to take a vacation this summer. Economic worries have many Americans canceling their travel plans this season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have some fun.

Jennifer Siu, associate director of Recreational Sports at USC, recommends taking a “staycation.”

“Sometimes the greatest vacations are waiting for you right at home,” she says.

Sui points out that organizing family travel can often be full of stress and anxiety, but planning a staycation based around your hometown can relieve a lot of those worries.

Go Local

You can start by taking a closer look at your neighborhood and the area around you. Siu recommends going for a hike or a drive to somewhere you have never been before.

“Be sure you do a little research and figure out where you want to go,” she says. “Map out your journey just like you might if you were away from home.”

Spend some time in the vegetable and fruit section of your neighborhood market and invest in a well-rounded diet in conjunction with a healthy fitness routine.

“Be sure you get a diversity of fruits and vegetables,” says Siu.

Use your staycation time to try something new, like a new restaurant or sports activity. Take a tennis lesson or try your hand at piano or guitar. Learn something from your local Home Depot Center, like painting, sanding or gardening.

“Is there something that you’ve always wanted to try? Here’s your chance,” says Siu.

She points out that when you are trying something new, you should always invest in your safety as well. For example, learn about protective eye-gear if you are playing a sport with a ball and wear a protective helmet when you go biking or rollerblading.

“Don’t make the mistake of spending $250 on a bike and only $2.50 on your head,” she says.

Capture Your Staycation

Siu recommends drawing, painting or photographing images of your local museum, gardens, beaches or art galleries. Take some pictures of local buildings and outdoor treasures. Make sure to document special moments of your staycation.

“If you haven’t had a chance to look around recently, you may be wonderfully surprised by what your city and or neighborhood has to offer,” she says.

Treat Yourself

Treating yourself is what vacations and staycations are all about, says Siu. Sleep in, let go of your business calendar and take some time for yourself. Enjoy your breakfast and the morning paper. Do not feel guilty about hitting that “snooze” button on your alarm clock, she says.

Siu points to some ground rules for a successful staycation:
1. Remember that staycations mean time off.
2. No business e-mail. Don’t check your voice mail on a daily basis.
3. You can forget your household chores (if you can stand it).
4. Turn off the cell phone or BlackBerry (if you can stand it).
5. Take pictures! Relax! Have fun!

She also emphasizes that this is a time to indulge a bit if you can.

“A staycation is a great time to schedule a haircut, a facial or a visit to the spa,” she says.

In addition, it’s also a great time to think about making good investments, ones that are guaranteed to produce healthy returns.

“Invest in the time you spend brushing your teeth, flossing and going to regular dental checkups—because if you are not true to your teeth, they will be false to you!” says Siu.

She points out that daily brushing and regular cleanings will keep away the pain, and cost, of a possible root canal and/or drilling a cavity.

“Invest time and effort in your overall physical fitness, going for walks and maintaining a healthy weight, because if you don’t spend the time now—you may be spending your time and money dealing with diabetes, high cholesterol, dangerously high blood pressure, fatigue or heart conditions,” says Siu.

Physical fitness will guarantee paybacks such as feeling good, looking fit and overall increased energy.

“Investments in yourself and your health have close to a 100 percent return on investment,” says Siu.