Make time for R&R, even if your schedule is jam-packed!

It’s summer time, a time when retailers are busy going to Tradeshows, working on their Holiday inventory.  But, of course, many people don’t take vacations -- even cheap vacations -- because of time or money constraints.  Now with gas prices on the rise, it’s even more important to work on being stress-free. For those who don’t have weeks to take off or thousands to spend, here are some fun ideas for cheap vacations in your neighborhood:

* Take Off for a Quiet Day:  Take a full day without answering your phone or being in your store.  It’s important that you allow yourself time to disconnect from the demands of your daily life every now and again.  Tell your staff that you’ll be off for the day, and have a mini-vacation at home.  Take this time to focus and pamper yourself.  Perhaps you take this opportunity to read a good book, take a yoga class, spend some time with close friends & family. 

* Be a "Tourist" for the Day:  Plan a fun time as though you were new to your town.  Try to resist being a creature of habit, seek out new, unique things that you’ve been meaning to try, or perhaps that you’d never heard of before.

* Be a Hotel Guest:  Yes, I know it may sound strange to seek out a neighboring hotel stay as a mini-escape, but it can be surprisingly relaxing to stay in a nearby hotel.  I have done this a few times in NYC and have always enjoyed it.  Take this time to enjoy all the amenities you don’t have at home: order room service, enjoy the pools and saunas, the maid service…immerse yourself in a new surrounding, where you are free of the usual distractions, i.e., household chores, ringing telephones, demanding work schedule.  Tip: Turn off your cell phone, close the hotel drapes and sleep in as late as you want to, then wake up and order a breakfast that gets delivered to your room!  Sounds appealing, don’t you think?

* Have a Spa Day: If you can’t afford the time or money for a “vacation,”  why not consider going to a day spa for a few hours?  Get that deep tissue massage that will leave you feeling relaxed and truly pampered.  If you have the time, and a few extra dollars, treat yourself to a facial.  Then go home and relax with a good movie and some dinner.  Tip: Drink plenty of water after your massage, as it will help remove impurities faster.

* Spend the Day in PJs: Stay in your pajamas all day, relaxing and doing only what you feel like. Want to: sleep in, spend the day watching your favorite tv show, surf the net for hours, cook a really great meal for yourself, use this day for yourself. Use the day to focus on relaxation and you. 

If you really don’t have the disposable cash or resources to take a real vacation, it’s important that you still make time to relax.

Happy R&R!

Best,

Anj