My first post of the New Year brings some sad news for the Preston Wynne family--our beloved 80-years-young client "Jenny," featured in my last posting of 2009, passed away earlier this month. She will be deeply missed by all who worked with her.
Jenny's poise, elegance and beauty were an inspiration to me, not just as external qualities I admired as someone in the "beauty business," but because they represented qualities that are all too rare in today's overexposed, frantically tweeted lives. I was grateful to see photographs of the young Jenny at her memorial, and was struck by the fact that her understated natural beauty evolved gracefully over the arc of her life. And as selflessly devoted as she was to her husband and family of rambunctious boys--whose broods ultimately included over a dozen grandchildren--she held a place in her world for self-care.
As professionals who obsess over stray eyebrow hairs, whether a lipstick is too coral or too pink, or the proper way to exfoliate someone's skin, our work doesn't immediately evoke the nobler helping professions, such as nursing or teaching. But as someone who's had the honor to brighten the day and lightly lift the self-esteem of thousands and women and men over the past twenty five years, I can say that there are few careers more gratifying.
In college, I studied painting, and envisioned a fairly solitary profession in a studio. To keep body and soul together, I became a makeup artist, and found myself in the crowded aisles of department stores, painting stranger's faces. To my complete surprise, I fell in love with the "beauty business," and then skin care, and eventually spa. It has been wonderful people like Jenny who have made that career path so very rewarding. These days, I spend much of my time on the "business to business" side, working with spa owners across the US, but moments like the one I was able to share with Jenny this past summer--one on one in a quiet treatment room--are still the most resonant.
My sincere thanks to all of you who have given us the honor of being part of your lives!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Friday, August 7, 2009
Gratitude
Yesterday I had an opportunity I rarely get these days, to give a client a facial treatment. I "retired" from hands-on treatments about ten years ago, but occasionally I get called off the bench when one of our wonderful estheticians falls ill.
"Jenny" was one of my private clients from Day One. Back in those days, Preston Wynne occupied less than five hundred square feet into which we'd shoehorned three little treatment rooms. It was very cozy! As we reminisced yesterday, we realized we've known one another for twenty five years. She is now 81 years old.
Her skin is utterly amazing. This fair-skinned, lovely lady has taken the absolute best care of her skin, and the centerpiece of that regimen has been a monthly facial treatment. She has also been vigilant in her use of sun protection. She was an avid walker for years. It's not often one gets to see the long-term effects of excellent skin care and self care, but it's very gratifying! She has the skin of a much younger person, with superb tone and resilience, and texture like rose petals.
Enjoying an hour in her company, I felt deeply honored that the ritual of her monthly facial treatment--and our wonderful visits--has been a part of Jenny's life for over two decades.
Jenny no longer visits the spa under her own power--for years, she walked into the Village for her treatments. These days, her devoted son drives her, escorting his mother with great tenderness. She's fragile now and moves slowly, but there's a determination in her soft blue eyes that delights me. Her facial treatment and pedicure are a non-negotiable!
As any woman knows, beauty rituals transcend appearance enhancement. They are part of the social fabric of our world, and an opportunity to experience for ourselves a bit of the care and nurturing that we extend to others.
Jenny's visit reminded me how fortunate I am to be in this amazing business!
"Jenny" was one of my private clients from Day One. Back in those days, Preston Wynne occupied less than five hundred square feet into which we'd shoehorned three little treatment rooms. It was very cozy! As we reminisced yesterday, we realized we've known one another for twenty five years. She is now 81 years old.
Her skin is utterly amazing. This fair-skinned, lovely lady has taken the absolute best care of her skin, and the centerpiece of that regimen has been a monthly facial treatment. She has also been vigilant in her use of sun protection. She was an avid walker for years. It's not often one gets to see the long-term effects of excellent skin care and self care, but it's very gratifying! She has the skin of a much younger person, with superb tone and resilience, and texture like rose petals.
Enjoying an hour in her company, I felt deeply honored that the ritual of her monthly facial treatment--and our wonderful visits--has been a part of Jenny's life for over two decades.
Jenny no longer visits the spa under her own power--for years, she walked into the Village for her treatments. These days, her devoted son drives her, escorting his mother with great tenderness. She's fragile now and moves slowly, but there's a determination in her soft blue eyes that delights me. Her facial treatment and pedicure are a non-negotiable!
As any woman knows, beauty rituals transcend appearance enhancement. They are part of the social fabric of our world, and an opportunity to experience for ourselves a bit of the care and nurturing that we extend to others.
Jenny's visit reminded me how fortunate I am to be in this amazing business!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Getting Wellness
I'm about six weeks into my got-religion wellness program for rehabbing my arthritic shoulder, and I'm happy to report I'm making progress. Here's the protocol so far:
ACUPUNCTURE: Twice-weekly acupuncture has done wonders for the inflammation in my shoulder. Thanks to Adam for making time for me in his busy schedule. I'm learning that in Chinese medicine, it's all about heat. Ice is for fresh injuries only. After that, heat, heat heat!
HEAT: I am using two (count 'em) heated neck pillows. We sell these at the spa, naturally, and I actually stack mine one atop the other, because much of this arthritic-shoulder business is being caused by stuff going on in my neck. And yes, my neck is sort of long, but the double-pillow trick is good for any tall or large person who isn't getting a neck-ful of heat with just one. I pop them into the microwave when I'm getting ready to sit down at the computer. Wearing them at the computer reminds me about the most important element of my rehab program...
POSTURAL IMPROVEMENT: According to Adam and my chiropractor, these problems are most likely the result of poor posture. I spend a LOT of time at the computer, with my shoulders rolled forward and pectoral muscles shrinking...shrinking...but it's never too late to fix that. I will be starting Pilates with a physical therapist here in Santa Cruz. I have changed my computer posture by keeping my feet flat on the floor and core "engaged," instead of crossing my legs and slumping back in my chair. As well, I am increasing the size of the type on my screen whenever possible to prevent myself from craning and leaning forward. And I am taking much more frequent breaks, which is fun.
ARNICA: I am taking a natural anti-inflammatory, homeopathic arnica (pick it up at Whole Foods, in the supplement area) as well as using arnica-enriched AcquaCures Relief Gel, which goes such a long way. (Don't be afraid of that tiny tube! It reallly lasts.) Remember, when you're using homeopathic medicines, don't consume mint. That means switching toothpaste. I like the Trader Joe's Fennel toothpaste. (Yes, it took a week or so to get used to the refreshing taste of...fennel in the morning!)
CHIROPRACTIC: I see Sheila Campbell, D.C., who practices in the same office as Adam White, our acupuncturist, in Capitola. Tiny but mighty Dr. Campbell has really helped me with neck issues.
WORKING OUT: Interestingly, my shoulder feels best when I've had a very active week, especially when I run on the beach or trails, or even do yardwork--like my weedinator weekends, spent obsessively raking and hoeing. Adam says while this seems counterintuitive, it's really about increasing circulation.
READING: I have to say, one of the best books I've ever read, "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarnow, encourages plenty of physical activity and encourages us to stop thinking of ourselves--and particularly our spines--as fragile and breakable. Just knowing you're not going to hurt yourself by working out releases a great deal of the "protective" muscle tension that is keeping your body in spasm.
MASSAGE THERAPY: Last but not least, I have benefited from the work of the cranial-sacral angels of Preston Wynne Spa, including Frankie and Ellen. Weekly massages (darn it) are part of the plan. This subtle but powerful form of bodywork is fantastic for anyone with neck issues. That would be about 90% of the guests we see!
I know this sounds like a lot of work--after all, the orthopedist offered to shoot some cortisone into my shoulder and send me on my way. But the benefits extend beyond my shoulder. Not only does that part feel better, I am finding that this program--and particularly the acupuncture--has energized me and helped me de-stress, too.
ACUPUNCTURE: Twice-weekly acupuncture has done wonders for the inflammation in my shoulder. Thanks to Adam for making time for me in his busy schedule. I'm learning that in Chinese medicine, it's all about heat. Ice is for fresh injuries only. After that, heat, heat heat!
HEAT: I am using two (count 'em) heated neck pillows. We sell these at the spa, naturally, and I actually stack mine one atop the other, because much of this arthritic-shoulder business is being caused by stuff going on in my neck. And yes, my neck is sort of long, but the double-pillow trick is good for any tall or large person who isn't getting a neck-ful of heat with just one. I pop them into the microwave when I'm getting ready to sit down at the computer. Wearing them at the computer reminds me about the most important element of my rehab program...
POSTURAL IMPROVEMENT: According to Adam and my chiropractor, these problems are most likely the result of poor posture. I spend a LOT of time at the computer, with my shoulders rolled forward and pectoral muscles shrinking...shrinking...but it's never too late to fix that. I will be starting Pilates with a physical therapist here in Santa Cruz. I have changed my computer posture by keeping my feet flat on the floor and core "engaged," instead of crossing my legs and slumping back in my chair. As well, I am increasing the size of the type on my screen whenever possible to prevent myself from craning and leaning forward. And I am taking much more frequent breaks, which is fun.
ARNICA: I am taking a natural anti-inflammatory, homeopathic arnica (pick it up at Whole Foods, in the supplement area) as well as using arnica-enriched AcquaCures Relief Gel, which goes such a long way. (Don't be afraid of that tiny tube! It reallly lasts.) Remember, when you're using homeopathic medicines, don't consume mint. That means switching toothpaste. I like the Trader Joe's Fennel toothpaste. (Yes, it took a week or so to get used to the refreshing taste of...fennel in the morning!)
CHIROPRACTIC: I see Sheila Campbell, D.C., who practices in the same office as Adam White, our acupuncturist, in Capitola. Tiny but mighty Dr. Campbell has really helped me with neck issues.
WORKING OUT: Interestingly, my shoulder feels best when I've had a very active week, especially when I run on the beach or trails, or even do yardwork--like my weedinator weekends, spent obsessively raking and hoeing. Adam says while this seems counterintuitive, it's really about increasing circulation.
READING: I have to say, one of the best books I've ever read, "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarnow, encourages plenty of physical activity and encourages us to stop thinking of ourselves--and particularly our spines--as fragile and breakable. Just knowing you're not going to hurt yourself by working out releases a great deal of the "protective" muscle tension that is keeping your body in spasm.
MASSAGE THERAPY: Last but not least, I have benefited from the work of the cranial-sacral angels of Preston Wynne Spa, including Frankie and Ellen. Weekly massages (darn it) are part of the plan. This subtle but powerful form of bodywork is fantastic for anyone with neck issues. That would be about 90% of the guests we see!
I know this sounds like a lot of work--after all, the orthopedist offered to shoot some cortisone into my shoulder and send me on my way. But the benefits extend beyond my shoulder. Not only does that part feel better, I am finding that this program--and particularly the acupuncture--has energized me and helped me de-stress, too.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Time to get serious...
Self care isn't selfish. You're not of much use to others if you're not taking proper care of yourself. During stressful times, self care can seem frivolous. But nothing could be further from the truth!
I received a sobering diagnosis today from an orthopedist. I have severe degenerative arthritis in my left shoulder. It's been giving me pain. And I've been ignoring it for awhile, hoping it would go away. That's been a fairly successful strategy of mine in the past.
During my granddaughter's recent visit--she is just five months old--I had difficulty lifting her out of her stroller. Absurd. Unacceptable! I need to be a fit and flexible Grandma. Bone spurs, bone schmurs.
So, to my self care routine of daily workouts, frequent massage, almost-daily meditation (getting there!) and eating well, I'll be adding a program of regular acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture delivers outstanding results for arthritis. I've recommended it to plenty of people. Now it's my turn.
Adam White, L.Ac., is at our spa weekly. We are fortunate indeed to steal him away from his thriving practice in Capitola. He is an expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has researched, taught and lectured extensively, and has helped many of our clients in the past several years.
I'll let you know how my treatment progresses!
I received a sobering diagnosis today from an orthopedist. I have severe degenerative arthritis in my left shoulder. It's been giving me pain. And I've been ignoring it for awhile, hoping it would go away. That's been a fairly successful strategy of mine in the past.
During my granddaughter's recent visit--she is just five months old--I had difficulty lifting her out of her stroller. Absurd. Unacceptable! I need to be a fit and flexible Grandma. Bone spurs, bone schmurs.
So, to my self care routine of daily workouts, frequent massage, almost-daily meditation (getting there!) and eating well, I'll be adding a program of regular acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture delivers outstanding results for arthritis. I've recommended it to plenty of people. Now it's my turn.
Adam White, L.Ac., is at our spa weekly. We are fortunate indeed to steal him away from his thriving practice in Capitola. He is an expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has researched, taught and lectured extensively, and has helped many of our clients in the past several years.
I'll let you know how my treatment progresses!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Fake it til you make it!
Billy Crystal's immortal Saturday Night Live character, Fernando, said it best: "Dahling, it's better to looook good than to feel good." I would amend his philosophy a bit, and say that it's sometimes easier to looook good than to feel good.
This week, the shortcut of choice to your Happy Place just might be a new lipstick.
Generally the domain of those of us lucky enough to have two X chromosomes, cosmetics can work wonders to lift spirits when you don't feel your best. (Gentlemen, a little undereye concealer or some bronzer this week might not be a bad idea at all.)
Ladies, I'm as guilty as you of trying to get away with my Beach Face in autumn. It's tempting to stay in easy summer makeup habits (slathering on tinted sunscreen, lip gloss) long after it's time to bust out the lip liner and Big Girl eye shadow.
Clients suffering from Summer Makeup Syndrome are complaining this month of looking "faded" and "tired." In response, I whip out real lipstick. Yes. Stuff you actually have to use a mirror to apply. Maybe even...red.
If you're flashing back to your Madonna Wannabe past, relax. This season's red is reassuringly lovely. It's rich, it's well-bred, it's extremely flattering. It won't make you look like Joan Crawford. But a good red lipstick takes some lip liner and a lip brush and little more focus than the ADD-friendly lip gloss in the bottom of your purse. If you're over 35, you'll want a little Lip Keep to prevent "feathering." (Such a nice word for such an unpleasant phenomenon.)
We make it painless at PW to figure out what to wear on your face. Call us. Come in and get a free makeup consultation. You'll leave feeling like a million bucks.
And even in today's dollars, that's still a lot!
This week, the shortcut of choice to your Happy Place just might be a new lipstick.
Generally the domain of those of us lucky enough to have two X chromosomes, cosmetics can work wonders to lift spirits when you don't feel your best. (Gentlemen, a little undereye concealer or some bronzer this week might not be a bad idea at all.)
Ladies, I'm as guilty as you of trying to get away with my Beach Face in autumn. It's tempting to stay in easy summer makeup habits (slathering on tinted sunscreen, lip gloss) long after it's time to bust out the lip liner and Big Girl eye shadow.
Clients suffering from Summer Makeup Syndrome are complaining this month of looking "faded" and "tired." In response, I whip out real lipstick. Yes. Stuff you actually have to use a mirror to apply. Maybe even...red.
If you're flashing back to your Madonna Wannabe past, relax. This season's red is reassuringly lovely. It's rich, it's well-bred, it's extremely flattering. It won't make you look like Joan Crawford. But a good red lipstick takes some lip liner and a lip brush and little more focus than the ADD-friendly lip gloss in the bottom of your purse. If you're over 35, you'll want a little Lip Keep to prevent "feathering." (Such a nice word for such an unpleasant phenomenon.)
We make it painless at PW to figure out what to wear on your face. Call us. Come in and get a free makeup consultation. You'll leave feeling like a million bucks.
And even in today's dollars, that's still a lot!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Stress SOS! Self care skills for scary times
What a week. What a month. Like you, I'm feeling the stress that goes along with so much uncertainty. Operating a business that sells something as "discretionary" as spa treatments has always been, as the Chinese would say, interesting during recessions and slowdowns.
We are in the de-stressing business, which means that people need us now more than ever. But we all respond to stress differently.
Following the Loma Prieta earthquake, which impacted many of our clients, I received these phone calls within five minutes of one another:
Caller #1: Oh my gosh, the earthquake! I need to cancel my appointment!
Caller #2: Oh my gosh, the earthquake! I need a massage!
Self care is critical during scary times. While we may convince ourselves that remaining "alert" or "vigilant" is helpful, it's actually not. Now is the time to work out, eat well, meditate. In short, it's the most important time to nurture yourself.
This isn't about denial, it's about diet. Just like "you are what you eat" you also "are what you see and hear." What you put into your brain profoundly affects your well-being. You actually do have a choice.
Avoiding excessive amounts of negative "input" keeps you better prepared to respond rationally, if indeed a response or decision is necessary. Our choice, when confronted with a slow motion train wreck on TV? Turn it off.
One of the temptations during a time like this is to believe the line the media uses to get us to tune in to their 24/7 "anxiety feed": "information is power." Subsisting on a steady diet of doom and gloom doesn't prepare us to be more effective. You will rapidly encounter the diminishing returns of this sort of "information."
Here are some ways to keep yourself healthy during a scary news cycle:
1. Limit the amount of news you consume. Set a time limit of 20-30 minutes per day to catch up on breaking news. Listening to pundits argue for two hours will not benefit you (ever.) Don't constantly peek at headlines online throughout the day.
2. Choose the news delivery system that has the least hype and programs on TV with the fewest split screens, and those godawful "tickers." One of the most stressful things you can do is overload your brain with too many different ideas and thoughts. Avoiding TV news altogether and sticking with newspapers or online news sites can be helpful.
3. If you want to be "informed", choose programs that delve into the subject in more depth, rather than headline-driven hysteria and panic-punditry.
4. Navigate with care through the blogosphere. There's lots of rumor, conjecture and inaccurate information out here on the wild frontier.
There are few emotions more powerful than gratitude for creating health and happiness. It may be challenging, but the best strategy during scary times is regularly expressing gratitude for what we have, and what is going well in our lives.
In the coming weeks, we'll be expressing our gratitude for you, our Preston Wynne guests and friends, more than ever. We know that to keep our business healthy we must rise to the occasion when times are tough, and deliver even more value to you. As your designated de-stressers, we're busy cooking up new ways to make that as easy and affordable as possible.
Watch out. We have ways of making you relax!
We are in the de-stressing business, which means that people need us now more than ever. But we all respond to stress differently.
Following the Loma Prieta earthquake, which impacted many of our clients, I received these phone calls within five minutes of one another:
Caller #1: Oh my gosh, the earthquake! I need to cancel my appointment!
Caller #2: Oh my gosh, the earthquake! I need a massage!
Self care is critical during scary times. While we may convince ourselves that remaining "alert" or "vigilant" is helpful, it's actually not. Now is the time to work out, eat well, meditate. In short, it's the most important time to nurture yourself.
This isn't about denial, it's about diet. Just like "you are what you eat" you also "are what you see and hear." What you put into your brain profoundly affects your well-being. You actually do have a choice.
Avoiding excessive amounts of negative "input" keeps you better prepared to respond rationally, if indeed a response or decision is necessary. Our choice, when confronted with a slow motion train wreck on TV? Turn it off.
One of the temptations during a time like this is to believe the line the media uses to get us to tune in to their 24/7 "anxiety feed": "information is power." Subsisting on a steady diet of doom and gloom doesn't prepare us to be more effective. You will rapidly encounter the diminishing returns of this sort of "information."
Here are some ways to keep yourself healthy during a scary news cycle:
1. Limit the amount of news you consume. Set a time limit of 20-30 minutes per day to catch up on breaking news. Listening to pundits argue for two hours will not benefit you (ever.) Don't constantly peek at headlines online throughout the day.
2. Choose the news delivery system that has the least hype and programs on TV with the fewest split screens, and those godawful "tickers." One of the most stressful things you can do is overload your brain with too many different ideas and thoughts. Avoiding TV news altogether and sticking with newspapers or online news sites can be helpful.
3. If you want to be "informed", choose programs that delve into the subject in more depth, rather than headline-driven hysteria and panic-punditry.
4. Navigate with care through the blogosphere. There's lots of rumor, conjecture and inaccurate information out here on the wild frontier.
There are few emotions more powerful than gratitude for creating health and happiness. It may be challenging, but the best strategy during scary times is regularly expressing gratitude for what we have, and what is going well in our lives.
In the coming weeks, we'll be expressing our gratitude for you, our Preston Wynne guests and friends, more than ever. We know that to keep our business healthy we must rise to the occasion when times are tough, and deliver even more value to you. As your designated de-stressers, we're busy cooking up new ways to make that as easy and affordable as possible.
Watch out. We have ways of making you relax!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Staycation Nation!
When you skipped the trip to Paris or Maui this summer, whether you knew it or not, you were on the vanguard of the latest trend in travel: the Staycation.
Staycationing is a fine art, and while intrepid globetrotters might dispute this, one not without a significant element of challenge. Instead of deciphering a Costa Rican road map, clambering up a glacier in Patagonia, or communicating your drink order to a sullen waiter in Prague, your challenges are not answering e mail, not heading to PetSmart for cat litter, and not returning phone calls from those people you foolishly told you were “just sticking around town.”
The joy of the staycation is discovering great new places and activities, close to home, that are as satisfying and horizon-stretching as ones you find in distant lands. (Caution: staycationing can make you unbearably smug, as you listen without a drop of empathy to tales of airport delays and hacking toddlers in adjacent seats.)
For future reference, here are some helpful guidelines I’ve amassed from my staycations this summer:
1. Have a plan. Like any good vacation, it’s important to stake out some key activities. Some marquee activities or events form the armature of a good vacation. Danger awaits those who don’t plan. Before your staycation, do some research, just as you would if you were heading to a new destination. In the weeks and months prior to your next staycation, keep a file of articles you run across on day-trip destinations. Encourage your family to make contributions.
2. Don’t have too many plans. An overly full schedule will make your staycation feel like a forced march. Alternate structured and unstructured days. A trip to the De Young museum and lunch at the Ferry Building in San Francisco one day, followed by a refreshing palate cleanser of hammock-and-novel time the next.
3. Completely alter your daily routine. The danger on a staycation is that you will lapse into (or never venture out of) familiar routines. Even if it’s as small as going to a different coffee place for your morning double-half caf-mocha-latte-ya-ya, your brain will be refreshed. And while you’re at it, you might get a little crazy and try the acai-soy-chai-latte.
4. Don’t discount “touristy” activities. Many of us have never visited the key attractions of our area, fearing the crowds of, uh, tourists. Oh, get over yourself! Has a line ever stopped you from visiting the Louvre, or caused you to leave Disneyland in a fit of pique? When you’re on “vacation” your sense of time and perception of inconvenience undergoes a radical shift. Instead of watching precious minutes of your much-too-brief weekend tick away in a queue for theatre tickets, you’ll view the inconvenience in a different context when you’re staycationing.
5. Take enough time off. For some reason, staycationers often cheat themselves of a full vacation (cutting a full week down to five days, say), citing excuses like “well, I would have spent that time on a plane, anyhow.” No ma’am. Spend that day glorying in all the things you can do when not imprisoned in an 18” wide seat, legs pinned by the reclined seat in front of you (Yes, I’m writing this on a plane.)
6. Avoid the news. On staycation, news-avoidance is an essential brain detox. I increasingly think this is a good practice for daily life, too.
7. Make sure all members of your staycationing family are on the same page. Set groundrules, but keep them playful. Are we allowed to pick up voice mail, call the office? How long should these tasks take? Institute fines for running over time on “real world” activities, with punishments like foot massages or a freshly prepared batch of Mojitos served by the perp. The Wii may make a curious and untimely disappearance. More than a coincidence?
I’d love to hear staycation stories from you. What was your staycation discovery this year? Please share!
Staycationing is a fine art, and while intrepid globetrotters might dispute this, one not without a significant element of challenge. Instead of deciphering a Costa Rican road map, clambering up a glacier in Patagonia, or communicating your drink order to a sullen waiter in Prague, your challenges are not answering e mail, not heading to PetSmart for cat litter, and not returning phone calls from those people you foolishly told you were “just sticking around town.”
The joy of the staycation is discovering great new places and activities, close to home, that are as satisfying and horizon-stretching as ones you find in distant lands. (Caution: staycationing can make you unbearably smug, as you listen without a drop of empathy to tales of airport delays and hacking toddlers in adjacent seats.)
For future reference, here are some helpful guidelines I’ve amassed from my staycations this summer:
1. Have a plan. Like any good vacation, it’s important to stake out some key activities. Some marquee activities or events form the armature of a good vacation. Danger awaits those who don’t plan. Before your staycation, do some research, just as you would if you were heading to a new destination. In the weeks and months prior to your next staycation, keep a file of articles you run across on day-trip destinations. Encourage your family to make contributions.
2. Don’t have too many plans. An overly full schedule will make your staycation feel like a forced march. Alternate structured and unstructured days. A trip to the De Young museum and lunch at the Ferry Building in San Francisco one day, followed by a refreshing palate cleanser of hammock-and-novel time the next.
3. Completely alter your daily routine. The danger on a staycation is that you will lapse into (or never venture out of) familiar routines. Even if it’s as small as going to a different coffee place for your morning double-half caf-mocha-latte-ya-ya, your brain will be refreshed. And while you’re at it, you might get a little crazy and try the acai-soy-chai-latte.
4. Don’t discount “touristy” activities. Many of us have never visited the key attractions of our area, fearing the crowds of, uh, tourists. Oh, get over yourself! Has a line ever stopped you from visiting the Louvre, or caused you to leave Disneyland in a fit of pique? When you’re on “vacation” your sense of time and perception of inconvenience undergoes a radical shift. Instead of watching precious minutes of your much-too-brief weekend tick away in a queue for theatre tickets, you’ll view the inconvenience in a different context when you’re staycationing.
5. Take enough time off. For some reason, staycationers often cheat themselves of a full vacation (cutting a full week down to five days, say), citing excuses like “well, I would have spent that time on a plane, anyhow.” No ma’am. Spend that day glorying in all the things you can do when not imprisoned in an 18” wide seat, legs pinned by the reclined seat in front of you (Yes, I’m writing this on a plane.)
6. Avoid the news. On staycation, news-avoidance is an essential brain detox. I increasingly think this is a good practice for daily life, too.
7. Make sure all members of your staycationing family are on the same page. Set groundrules, but keep them playful. Are we allowed to pick up voice mail, call the office? How long should these tasks take? Institute fines for running over time on “real world” activities, with punishments like foot massages or a freshly prepared batch of Mojitos served by the perp. The Wii may make a curious and untimely disappearance. More than a coincidence?
I’d love to hear staycation stories from you. What was your staycation discovery this year? Please share!
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