CREATURE COMFORTS
How to give yourself a mental and physical reboot while staying close to home
It comes to a point where you’ve finally had enough. Sure, the cooler rainy days were something we had looked forward to back in the face of extreme heat last summer, but once the heavy rains arrived, they took the good out of our mood and affected our productivity: Despite our best intentions, traffic until dawn and soggy socks and shoes take a lot out of us and keep us from crossing things out from our to-do list.
That’s why breaking our routine once in a while is important in keeping our sanity. Bad weather and monotony do not make a good combination, so if you’re planning to have a quick escape from all the hassles of daily city life, a staycation is the way. Convenient and inexpensive, a getaway that happens not far from home might just be your best vacation ever, if planned properly.
Explore local sights that will offer you new experiences. You don’t need to go on exotic sojourns to give yourself the time and space to clear your mind. Research on local tours, food spots, ecotourism sites, showrooms, and book drives. Embrace the quirks of your hometown and get to know its culture better. Avoid rigorous itineraries and be spontaneous: Your familiarity of the place will both amuse and surprise you, given what you are yet to discover.
Unplug from your connections. Remember that your staycation is a real vacation, and being close to home does not require you to stay attached to work. Give yourself enough space to enjoy your well-deserved rest. Spend quality time with family and friends. Squeeze in some activities that you can do at home, like playing board games, having a movie marathon, or having a baking session with kids. Appreciate the time you get to have with the people you love. Give luxury amenities a try. A staycation at home can get stressful if you’d still be the one to prepare everything, so consider splurging on yourself as a treat. Head to a nearby hotel and pamper yourself with a sauna or gym session. Go to a fancy dinner buffet with the family, and dress up for the occasion. Enjoy room service—who doesn’t want breakfast in bed? If you’re already imagining vividly this badly needed escape, Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City in Resorts World Manila offers superb accommodations. The hotel is just minutes away from Makati and Bonifacio Global City, and it takes pride in having world-class hotel facilities and amenities, including unlimited WiFi access, a 42-inch television with international channels, 24-hour coin-operated laundry and ironing facilities, and free airport shuttle service, just to name a few. Go ahead and make that booking. There’s nothing wrong in treating yourself right. For inquiries on room availability and other concerns, call (02) 908-8600 or visit the hotel at 1 Jasmine Drive, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City. Check out their website at www.rwmanila.com for more information.