Vacations offer a unique blend of relaxation, excitement, and sensory experiences that leave lasting memories. One thing we talk about at our wellness retreat is how to recreate those same vacation feelings once you return home. The good news is that you can recreate those vacation feelings at home by engaging your five senses. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you transform your living space into a personal retreat, evoking the serene and joyful vibes of your favorite getaways.

Smell: Evoke Memories with Scents

Smell is a powerful trigger for memories and emotions. By incorporating vacation-inspired scents into your home, you can instantly transport yourself back to those relaxing moments.

Essential Oils and Blends: Create a custom blend of essential oils reminiscent of your favorite vacation spa. Lavender, eucalyptus, and sandalwood can promote relaxation and tranquility.
Scented Candles and Room Sprays: Find candles or room sprays that capture the essence of your vacation destination. A tropical coconut candle, a sea breeze spray, or a pine-scented product can evoke those cherished memories.
Bath and Spa Products: Replicate the luxurious bath products you enjoyed on vacation. Indulge in a scented bath bomb or body lotion to bring that spa experience home.

Sound: Create a Soothing Soundscape

Sound can greatly influence your mood and stress levels. By integrating calming sounds into your daily routine, you can replicate the auditory ambiance of your favorite getaway.

Nature Sounds: Play recordings of waves crashing, birds chirping, or a gentle rainstorm to create a peaceful environment. Use these sounds as a backdrop while you work, relax, or sleep.
Music Playlists: Curate playlists that remind you of your vacation. Whether it’s resort music, beach tunes, or the soundtracks of your favorite vacation spots, let the music set the tone for your day.
Smart Speaker Alarms: Set your morning alarm to a calming tune or nature sounds using your smart speaker. This can start your day with a sense of calm and relaxation.

Sight: Transform Your Space

Visual aesthetics play a crucial role in creating a vacation-like atmosphere at home. By incorporating elements of your favorite vacation spots into your decor, you can create a visually soothing environment.

Design Aesthetic: Identify the design elements you loved on vacation. Whether it’s a coastal, minimalist look or the cozy warmth of a mountain lodge, try to integrate these styles into your home.
Outdoor Lighting: String up outdoor patio lights to create a magical, vacation-like ambiance in your backyard or balcony.
Decorative Elements: Use throw pillows, blankets, and other textiles that remind you of your vacation. Incorporate colors like crisp whites, calming blues, and natural hues that promote relaxation.

Feel: Indulge in Tactile Comfort

Touch is often overlooked, but it’s an essential part of the vacation experience. Soft, luxurious textures can make your home feel like a high-end resort.

Luxurious Robes and Towels: Invest in cozy bath robes and plush towels to recreate the feeling of being pampered.
High-Quality Linens: Upgrade your bed with high-thread-count sheets and extra pillows for a plush, inviting feel.
Skin and Hair Care: Use the same or similar skin and hair care products you enjoyed on vacation to replicate that feeling of indulgence.

Taste: Savor Vacation Flavors

Food and drink are central to the vacation experience. By recreating your favorite vacation dishes and cocktails, you can enjoy those flavors without leaving home.

Date Night Dishes: Choose a night to cook a special dish together, inspired by your travels. This can be a fun and engaging way to relive your favorite culinary experiences. Recreate special meals, or incorporate local flavors, and specialty cocktails.
Themed Gatherings: Host a themed dinner party or potluck with friends, recreating the cuisine from your favorite destination. Think “Cancun Night” with tacos and margaritas, or a Mediterranean feast.

Other Tips for Creating Vacation Vibes

Meditation and Mindfulness: Incorporate meditation into your routine to center yourself and find inner peace, much like you might have on a relaxing vacation.
Connection Time: Dedicate time for meaningful connections with loved ones, similar to how you might have shared a morning beach walk or a sunset dinner.
Vision Boards: Create a vision board with images and mementos from your vacations to serve as a visual reminder of those peaceful times.
Future Planning: Keep planning for future adventures, spa days, or special outings. Having something to look forward to can keep the excitement and joy of vacation alive.
Freedom Days: Allow yourself days without any plans to experience the freedom and relaxation of vacation. Enjoy a lazy Saturday or an unplanned evening to recharge.
Form A Self Care Routine: Pampering yourself seems to give off the feel of treating yourself in a special, luxurious way. Get into a self-care routine with our 30 day Self Care Journey.

STEP INTO BLISS WITH THE SELF-CARE 30 DAY DISCOVERY

Calm, relaxed, stress-free. Those are some of the words that come to mind when we think of self-care. Taking care of ourselves means supporting our own inner ecosystem so that we can feel, function, and perform at our best for our own selves and for others.

Daily Self-Care Activities: Engage in a variety of activities that nurture your mind, body, and soul.

Inspirational Quotes: Start each day with a dose of motivation and positivity.
Journal Prompts: Reflect on your journey and gain insights with thoughtful daily prompts.
Affirmations: Embrace positive affirmations to enhance your mindset and self-esteem.
Daily Journal Page: Reflect on self-care as well as additional lifestyle factors to ensure optimal wellness.
Self-Care Foundations Guide with the 6 Types of Self-Care
Weekly Check-Ins: Track your progress with end-of-week reflection questions.
End-of-Challenge Reflection: Consolidate your experience and plan for continued self-care.
Customize For Your Needs with Additional Resources:
- 100 Self-Care Ideas
- 100 Self-Care Affirmations
- 40 Self-Care Ideas specifically geared in the nutrition, fitness, stress management, and sleep categories (4 Pillars of Health)
And more!