Staycationing, or staying at home for your vacation, is increasing in popularity as a way to save money. The challenge of turning your house and the area where you live into a vacation destination is pretty fun, and it will make you see your place of residence in a whole new light. Here are five ways to get away from the stress of everyday life without going anywhere.

Unplug: Get Rid of Your Electronics

When you’re on vacation, you get to leave your life for a little while. When I go away, I usually don’t check my email, and I only use my phone occasionally. Our technology connects us to the stresses of life! If you’re on vacation, you’ve got to get rid of that stuff. One of the best ways to enjoy your staycation is to decide to be a little more unplugged than usual. Maybe you’ll decide not to check your email all week. Maybe you’ll decide to hide your phone. Or perhaps you’ll decide to go whole hog and completely forgo internet and your phone, although that would definitely require some advance planning. Whatever you decide, make sure your level of connection decreases your stress. That’s the point. If you don't trust yourself, try websites like Rescuetime.com, which allow you to block yourself from the internet during certain times, or block certain sites.

Transform Your Home into a Relaxing Palace

Make your home a little more luxurious. Make your bed every day and put mints on the pillow. Turn your bathtub into a spa with fancy bath salts, mud masks, and an aromatherapy candle. If you have some extra cash (from what you saved on traveling!) think about getting a masseuse to come to your house and give you a massage, or book a massage somewhere near your house. Some hotels will let you swim in their pool for a small fee, so do a little research and find out if you can swim in a nearby hotel pool. Think about what you love about staying in a hotel, and try to recreate it at home--be it the minibar, the soft towels, or the tiny bottles of shampoo! If you usually go camping on vacation, try camping in your backyard, which is really fun for kids. Don't have a tent? Check out REI, where you can usually find a pretty affordable option. I got a five person tent last year for 30% off during a sale!

Go See What You Can See!

Many people who live in cities with a lot of tourist attractions never go see them. I live just outside of San Francisco, CA. I’ve never been to Alcatraz, which many tourists consider a must-see destination! If I were staycationing, it’s the first place I’d visit. A lot of cities and towns, even small ones, have at least a few tourist destinations. Look at the websites of your city and surrounding cities to find historical sites and places of note to visit. Also check the National Register of Historic Places and for a little rush, some allegedly haunted places. You just might learn something!

Just Do It

When I go on vacation, I try things I probably wouldn’t try at home. Surfing? Why not? Ziplining? Sure! Being on vacation is adventurous, and it puts us in the right state of mind to be more adventurous in our activities. Find things to do in your area that you’ve never done before. Try water-skiing, indoor rock climbing, river rafting, or a new sport! You could take a cooking class, learn a few words and phrases of a new language, or take an art class like jewelry making or pottery. You could also try an activity at home that you’ve never tried before, like drawing or painting (for art supplies on a budget, check out Dick Blick Art Materials coupons). You and your sweetheart or friend could try to draw each other, and see who does a more accurate job. Just think of fun things to do that you wouldn’t otherwise do. You might learn something or find a new hobby!

An Adventurous Palate

Most people’s favorite part of vacation is the food. Trying new foods, eating at restaurants, and learning about the local food culture is tasty, fun, and educational. To seek out restaurants you’ve never tried before, ask friends for recommendations, or use sites like Yelp.com, where you can read reviews and find restaurants near you. Go to a local farmers’ market and buy produce you’ve never eaten before. Google the name of the produce to find recipes, and have fun cooking your new treats. Try new recipes and foods you’ve never cooked before. Make it a point to try something new every day, be it a food, a recipe, or a new unfamiliar restaurant, because that’s what you do on vacation!

How would you plan your staycation? Share your ideas here!