R & R for Sunday, February 20th, 2011

R and R Tip # 37: Relish and rejoice in taking time for a SPRING break!

Spring Break = Time to Re-energize

Whether you are going somewhere or not for spring break...it can definitely be a time to refocus. For years our family took a day for Spring break and made it full of fun for the whole family. We went to places like the zoo and packed a picnic lunch.

Here are some ideas for frugal ways to spend a Spring Break:

Spend some time outdoors in the sun and fresh air. Be sure to wear UV sun protection. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate the body. Use your time outdoors to stretch and flex muscles that have been dormant.

Rather than listen to the television, listen to nature sounds or uplifting music. Make some time to take a rest. That is why it is called a break.

Check out your local library. Your local library has a wealth of resources and programs in your community. Attend live outdoor events. Community centers, town and village parks and local restaurants frequently host live outdoor concerts and events.

Plan a picnic. A picnic is a low-cost way to get a day out. Pack a basket with iced tea, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cookies and a blanket. Visit a lovely lake or park where you can relax, nosh and unwind

Visit museums. Local museums, arboretums and estates offer free and low-cost tours. I love spending the day in a historical, educational environment that offers something for everyone

Schedule a day-cation. Have fun for a day! A day-cation is better than no getaway at all. If you can’t afford to go away for several days, why not plan an unforgettable local day out?

Or create a stay-cation right at home. When you need to be really frugal, you can create a stay-cation right at home watching your favorite DVD movies with popcorn and soda. Pamper yourself a little and skip the kitchen for a day: order takeout so you don’t have to cook. Then cap the day by taking a warm bubble bath with candlelight and your favorite drink. Sounds great? Well, with a little creativity, you can easily turn your surroundings into an oasis and get that much needed break without breaking your budget.

A weekend retreat is another great idea. It gives a person time to take care of tasks that have been neglected, spend serious time thinking about goals, and developing plans for achieving those goals. Recharge yourself and do some serious thinking.

Shutting off your cell phoneand laptop frees you to focus on whatever you've decided to devote your retreat time to.

A retreat is simply a block of time set aside to focus solely on you. The goal of a retreat is to get your life as on track as you can possibly get it.

Get plenty of sleep so you’re well rested. Don’t set an alarm and go to bed when you actually feel tired. The goal is to not feel exhausted

When I take a break, I can just sit back and clear my mind and think about the things I’ve been putting off.

If you can’t take a complete break, just try to cut back on your hours for a week or so. Even this will help you refresh your mind and enjoy the good things in life.

Family and friends are the finest things in life and every thing else is the finer things.

See you all next Sunday!

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma