Plus, six ways to get into “vacation mode” at home.

A reliable routine is important for safety, security, and creating healthy habits, especially for seniors and their caregivers. However, we are all learning this year that when it comes to routine, there can be too much of a good thing!

With the newness of the year fading and the warm weather still a little way off, many of us are ready to break up the routine and shake off the winter chill. In a normal year, that might mean a quick getaway somewhere warm. But, how do you get away when you can’t get away?

Fortunately, we have some ideas! In fact, this is our specialty at Sunnyside Manor. Our programming is part of what makes life here so special. Every day, we keep life fun, interesting, and stimulating, right at home.

That’s why we’re offering this guide to bringing vacation-style fun and novelty into your routine, whether your “getaway” is an afternoon, a long weekend, or something in between.

Why It’s Good – and Healthy – to Change Your Routine

Travelling to new places, having new experiences, and changing your routine is more than just fun. It has plenty of health benefits, too.

Seeking out new experiences, or “novelty seeking,” is linked to greater creativity, improved memory, and elevated mood across all age groups. Positive new and novel experiences stimulate the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” neuro-transmitter. If you have ever wondered why you feel refreshed after a vacation, this is part of the reason! All of that new input – the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells – are like hitting the reset button for your mood and energy.

So, how do you get the benefits of travel at home? The answer is to bring the novelty home to you.

Bring Home Vacation Novelty

Now is the time to let your creativity take flight. Following are some prompts to help identify the experiences that make a vacation feel like a vacation for you. You can use these prompts to help generate ideas for bringing the feeling of vacation home. Whether it’s a fancy coffee in the morning or spending more time outside, think about the details, such as:

• Your schedule. Do you sleep in or wake up early on vacation?
• Activities. What do you do on vacation that is different from home? Is vacation a time to relax and read all day, or to keep busy with different activities?
• Screen time. Do you stay connected while you travel, or do you turn off your phone?
• Food. What do you like to eat on vacation? Do you relish new foods or indulge in vacation-only treats? What foods or dishes are popular in the places you most love to travel?
• Company. Many of us look forward to vacation as an opportunity to spend time with a partner, spouse, or family. This year is certainly different! Some families might find it refreshing to try something new together, while others may appreciate a change in routine that offers each person more space.

Think Local: Ideas for Vacation Activities

Based on your list of what makes a vacation feel like a vacation for you, seek out local swaps for favorite vacation activities. If you are caring for a senior loved one at home, consider vacation themed activities that can include them if they choose, as well as activities that are just for you.

• Museums and the arts. Many major museums have live, online tours and events. In fact, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has an online program especially for those with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. Or, try streamed live performances from a venue you’ve always wanted to visit.
• Window shopping and walking tours. Bundle up and take a walk through a neighborhood or town nearby that you enjoy, but don’t usually have time to explore.
• The outdoors. Seek out regional parks that you may have overlooked, or that may be a bit too far away to visit when you are busy with your day-to-day routine.
• Dining out. Try take-out from a restaurant in your area that specializes in cuisine from places you like to travel.
• Little luxuries. Bring home some of the little luxuries that come with travel, like fancy soaps, gourmet chocolates, or special cocktails.

Tips from the Pros: Six Ways to Get into Vacation Mode at Home

Whether you are getting in “vacation mode” for an afternoon or a long weekend, there are steps you can take to make your vacation fun and worry free.

1. Start small. Finding time off can be challenging for those who care for a senior at home. Look for small ways to break up your routine with vacation themed activities. What is one vacation themed activity, food, or change to your schedule that you could do this weekend? If you could go on vacation for an hour, what might you do?
2. Make your own “no cancellation” policy. Commit to your time off, just as you would when booking a hotel or flight. Put it on your calendar, and give yourself something to look forward to this spring!
3. Make a plan. Have a list of activities and time blocked out for the must-dos. This will help avoid distraction.
4. Engage your senses. Bring in items that say vacation to your senses. It might be the taste of tropical fruit, the sound of a certain style of music, colorful flowers, beachy scents, or fluffy towels. It really works, too! Engaging the senses is central to our approach to the weekly travel activities on our calendars.
5. Dress the part. While it may not be time for warm weather clothes just yet, you can still have fun putting on a vacation “costume.” Think sun hats, sunglasses, and bright colors.
6. Practice your vacation rituals. What is the one thing that lets you know vacation has begun? For some it might be setting their email away message. For others it might be a certain snack they always get at the airport. Vacations have a routine, too!

While it may not be quite the same as jetting off to a tropical island, there are plenty of ways to bring a little vacation-style novelty back home this year. See how we do it at Sunnyside; the photos say it all.

All of us at Sunnyside Manor wish you a happy, healthy, and fun spring vacation.

Learn More About Why Families Rely On Sunnyside Manor

Sunnyside Manor offers assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Learn more about Sunnyside Manor’s resources for caregivers. Whether you’re looking for short-term support or a longer-term plan, we are here to help. Begin with our “Getting Started” guide. Times have changed, and so have our admissions protocols. Please call us at 888-696-2052 to speak with a senior living expert.

Sunnyside Manor, located in Wall NJ, is the area’s premier senior living community. It features three distinctive neighborhoods: Independence ‘Plus’ Assisted Living, Recollections Memory Care and Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation.