How to Plan an Adventure Close to Home This Summer (Covid-19 Safe!)
If you’re craving some time away from your day-to-day routine but wondering how to do so within Covid-19 restrictions, then you’re not alone. Social isolation is tough, and it’s human nature to crave new experiences. However, with global Covid-19 our new reality, travel isn’t what it used to be, and chances are it won’t go back to the old way for quite some time.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t scratch your (metaphorical) itchy feet and have an adventure close to home this summer. The whole goal of a staycation is to plan a mental vacation close to home that still feels novel and gets you out of your routine. Even if we can’t traverse the globe right now, that doesn’t mean we can’t get to know our backyards a little bit better and stay Covid-19 safe at the same time.
As someone who was once nomadic and is now parked in place for the foreseeable future, I’ve made a point to learn all the ways to still feel like a traveler while staying Covid-19 safe at the same time. Here’s how to do it!
Step #1 – Get the Facts
Different places around the world are slowly opening up from the first Covid-19 shutdown, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe or advised to travel everywhere.
Before you decide to travel, and while you’re picking your destination, be sure to look up the safety recommendations and the number of current infections both in your area and the area you’re heading to. Look at what the local government and the World Health Organization have to say. Look at what resources and facilities are even open and running in your destination.
Because, while having an adventure is great, safety and preparedness should be your top priorities.
Step #2 – Pick a Destination In Your Area
Now that your brain is fully loaded with your local Covid-19 facts and recommendations, it’s time to decide what kind of adventure you want to have. This is a great time to really think outside of the box and give yourself a memorable experience.
Some example adventures are:
– Do a self-guided architectural walking tour or photography tour in your city
– Drive to a different part of town and take a walk in an area you’ve never been to before
– Drive to your nearest national park (if it’s open) for a day hike
– Rent a campground at your closest lake and go camping
– Book a hotel room in your city for a night and indulge in some rest and relaxation
– Explore a neighboring city or town
When choosing a destination, it’s important to also think about how you’re going to get there. Will you have to leave your state or province? Can you get there by car or will you have to take public transit? Is the adventure do-able in a weekend or will you prefer more time?
Depending on your local situation, these questions could change the way you travel.
Step #3 – Limit Your Interactions with Other People
Given that Covid-19 is spread through human interaction, the best way to not spread the infection to other people, and to not get it yourself, is to limit your person-to-person contact. Choose a destination where you can keep yourself occupied without being social, and make sure you have all you need in order to limit exposure.
Which leads me to my next point…
Step #4 – Stock Up On Supplies
Whether you’re heading to a hotel for a night or heading out on a hike, it’s imperative that you stock up on all the supplies needed for a safe trip. Make sure you have an ample supply of masks (homemade or otherwise), soap, some gloves, antibacterial wipes, and hand sanitizer. I also recommend bringing a thermometer in order to take your temperature before potentially being around people.
Additionally, instead of going to a grocery store or convenience store in your destination, bring items from home with you. Bring along food, toiletries, and anything else you might need.
Step #5 – Clean Everything
To be honest with you, even in pre-Covid-19 times, I would low-key clean hotel rooms when I first got into them. I just liked to know that the sink was fresh enough to use. This might have made me a little bit (okay, a lot) nitpicky, but it helped for peace of mind.
So, given that we now live in a Covid-19 era, I’m totally all for cleaning your accommodation (or any other shared facility you encounter during your adventure). I know it’s not how you probably envision “vacation,” but using those wipes you packed, don’t hesitate to give common surfaces a quick clean. I recommend wiping down doorknobs, sink areas, coffee makers, tv remotes, alarm clocks, etc.
Step #6 – Stay Up to Date
Even if you’ve decided to head off to a neighboring town for the night, it’s still important to keep up to date on the status of Covid-19 both in your destination and your hometown. Stay vigilant with knowing the numbers, and take every safety precaution you can.
Step #7 – Stay Flexible
While planning an adventure is a great way to lift your spirits and have something to look forward to, it’s important to remember that the Covid-19 situation in your area could change on a dime.
Not to mention, psychologists agree that there are two pandemics going on right now — a biological one (the virus), and a psychological one (Covid-19 stress). If you find yourself overly stressing about taking a trip right now (whether you’re stressing about the virus, money, or more social isolation), then don’t feel pressured to go.
Stay informed, and be confident in the facts you learn.
And, if you need a little extra stress relief, then check out our articles on the best ways to manage stress, and great stress-relieving meditations.
That’s it for my top ways to stay safe from Covid-19 while planning an adventure close to home! We hope you’re staying safe out there during this weird time, and let us know if you have any more ideas about travel during this time in the comments!
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