Get that holiday feeling… without leaving home!
If you’re missing out on the joys of your favourite sunshine break this summer, don’t despair. With a bit of creative thinking you can recreate the benefits at home, says MICHELE O’CONNOR
RISE AND SHINE
Forget the alarm and allow yourself to wake naturally. Being gently woken from slumber can completely change your day.
Invest in a dawn simulator alarm clock, which fills the room with light gradually or simply sleep with the curtains open.
START SLOWLY
Have a long, leisurely breakfast in the garden or take a breakfast picnic to a local park.
“Being outside and soaking up vitamin D from the sun is wonderful for recharging batteries and mental wellbeing,” explains Ali Moore, psychotherapist and author of Reconnect Your Life.
“Lazy mornings, not worrying about routine and eating outside is all part of the holiday ritual.”
EAT LIKE A LOCAL
“Food is one of the main parts of any holiday abroad, and this is something you can recreate at home,” says Tom Hughes from online holiday rentals Clickstay.
“Greek salads and tapenade are the perfect way to imagine you’re in the Greek islands. Check out recipes online to recreate classics like moussaka, paella or burritos.”
SWITCH OFF
Set up an out-of-office email reply even when at home, advises Ali.
“Just because you can’t do what you planned in terms of going away on holiday, doesn’t mean you have to keep doing what you always do. Switching your mindset to a different mode helps you to take a break from the norm.”
SNACK SMART
Eat ice-cold watermelon. Not only will it remind you of being on holiday but, according to research from the University of Aberdeen, it may hydrate the body twice as effectively as water.And, according to delish.com, seasoning with salt will enhance the sweet flavour.
HOLIDAY WARDROBE
We’ve all been spending a lot of time in casual, comfy clothes. But why not recreate that holiday feeling by digging out a few of your favourite summer looks and getting dressed up. Slip on a floaty maxi dress or summery wide-leg trousers – even if you only get changed for dinner. “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy,” says Tom Hughes. “But it will make it more of an occasion.”
SUMMER SCENT
Scientists say sense of smell taps directly into the brain’s memory centre – meaning a fragrance you became familiar with on holiday will instantly transport you back there when you smell it at home.
Try EscapeWellbeing Ritual candle, £16.95 (scentered.me).
“It transports me happily back to holidays in Sri Lanka,” says Scentered founder Lara Morgan.
THINK POSITIVE
Savour the positive, suggests Miriam Akhtar, author of The Little Book of Happiness. We do this on holiday without a second thought. “Marvelling at the beauty of nature or feasting on a mouthwatering delicacy, for example. It’s about being present to the joys of life and slowing down to ‘smell the roses’. Using your senses can really help to maximise the positive experience.”
FAMILY TIME
“The happiest people on the planet have two things in common – close relationships and active social lives,” says Miriam.
Whether it’s playing ball in the pool or cricket on the beach, most holidays involve spending more quality time together. Make the most of no work or homework and try to carve out time together that doesn’t involve watching TV.
VIRTUAL TOUR
“Plan a visit somewhere different from the comfort of your own home,” suggests Ali. Museums, art galleries, zoos and destinations like the Louvre, the Great Wall of China and national parks are all online. Search Ticketmaster’s virtual tours and pick your favourite.
HOME HAMMOCK
Bring a laid-back tropical vibe to your garden. You don’t need trees to hang your hammock on, there are lots that come with stands and there are plenty of designs to choose from, whatever your budget. Check out Simply Hammocks (simplyhammocks.co. uk) for ideas.
TAKE A SIESTA
On holiday, it’s permissible to have a little snooze by the pool or in your room to escape the heat of the afternoon sun.
So replicate it by shutting your eyes for a maximum of 30 minutes sitting in a comfortable armchair each day.
EVENING STROLL
One of the joys of being on holiday is going for a post-dinner walk, so do the same at home. Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is urging the public to walk for 20 minutes each day to maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
GET READING
A recent OnePoll study of 2,000 adults found summer holidays are the best time to lose yourself in a good book, with 65 per cent saying that reading on holiday is a good way to relax. And you don’t need a deckchair – in the survey, a comfortable sofa emerged as one of the best places to read.
CAMP OUT
Sleeping under the stars can be fun for the family and pitching up in the garden is free. If you’re worried about comfort, invest in an air bed and use a duvet rather than sleeping bags.
COCKTAIL HOUR
Recreate your favourite holiday drinks, says Tom. “Stock up on cocktail ingredients and chill rose wine to serve with ice for warm, summer evenings – then imagine you’re in the South of France.”
MAKE A SPLASH
Open water swimming in a lake or river is a truly different experience to the pool, and one all swimmers should try, say the experts at Swim England (swimming.org). Without the confines of lane ropes or walls, it’s liberating, adventurous and unique. Check out their tips and safety advice (as a starter, never swim alone) as you search for suitable destinations.
LOVING FEELING
A survey of 2,000 people by Lovehoney found 62 per cent have more sex when they are on their holiday, compared to when they are at home.
This suggests that a combination of hot weather – eight in 10 of those surveyed holidayed in hotter climes than the UK – and free time can be the key factors leading to more sex, both of which should be in plentiful supply this summer.