Rejuvenating Apartment Staycation Ideas on a Budget
August 16, 2023 6:07 AM Subscribe
I'm physically and mentally worn-out and want to make the most of a five day staycation in my own apartment.
I have five days off upcoming but can't afford to travel so will be spending it alone in my own apartment. I do not intend to leave my apartment because I am exhausted. How do I recreate a rejuvenating spa experience when I don't have a backyard, balcony or even a bathtub (shower only and shower melts are not cheap)? I have never been rich enough to go to a real spa.
My budget is limited so if I spend more on sheet masks or eye gel pads, I will have less money to spend on food and drinks (I will be preparing all my meals, probably relying partly on frozen food to save time and energy).
I do own an incense burner(and incense), edible green tea powder, manuka honey, Epsom salts and some essential oils. I am not up for anything that creates a mess or requires cleanup like oatmeal facial masks. Should I just whip up green tea manuka honey facial masks and save the money on sheet masks so I can spend them on strawberries and chocolate?
How do I maximize enjoyment, relaxation and pamper myself so that I will look and feel better at the end of five days on a limited budget?
Thank you.
I have five days off upcoming but can't afford to travel so will be spending it alone in my own apartment. I do not intend to leave my apartment because I am exhausted. How do I recreate a rejuvenating spa experience when I don't have a backyard, balcony or even a bathtub (shower only and shower melts are not cheap)? I have never been rich enough to go to a real spa.
My budget is limited so if I spend more on sheet masks or eye gel pads, I will have less money to spend on food and drinks (I will be preparing all my meals, probably relying partly on frozen food to save time and energy).
I do own an incense burner(and incense), edible green tea powder, manuka honey, Epsom salts and some essential oils. I am not up for anything that creates a mess or requires cleanup like oatmeal facial masks. Should I just whip up green tea manuka honey facial masks and save the money on sheet masks so I can spend them on strawberries and chocolate?
How do I maximize enjoyment, relaxation and pamper myself so that I will look and feel better at the end of five days on a limited budget?
Thank you.
I would do anything and everything for getting a good, super nice sleep. I would aim for the same wake up time as usually, so it will be easy to start working again after that vacation.
Make some beautiful rituals around going to sleep, and also for waking up ("Let's start a new fresh day today!")
posted by Sky12 at 6:31 AM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Make some beautiful rituals around going to sleep, and also for waking up ("Let's start a new fresh day today!")
posted by Sky12 at 6:31 AM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
I would probably try to incorporate the following (with a focus on the general feeling of relaxation that happens during a spa day rather than on the stuff you put on your face)
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- Get a good book (from the library to keep it free) you can complete over the 5 days, something that would fall into the "summer read" category.
- Is there some singer's album you really want, but haven't yet purchased? Buy it and make it the background sound of your 5 days off. I think this small purchase will be worth it.
- Maybe try a new yoga practice daily. You can find many free options on-line.
- Make the daily shower a ritual. Body scrub all over? Five minutes of standing under the hot spray? Do whatever makes you feel good. Try to take longer rather than less time and focus on easing the tension in your body.
posted by eleslie at 7:04 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
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- Get a good book (from the library to keep it free) you can complete over the 5 days, something that would fall into the "summer read" category.
- Is there some singer's album you really want, but haven't yet purchased? Buy it and make it the background sound of your 5 days off. I think this small purchase will be worth it.
- Maybe try a new yoga practice daily. You can find many free options on-line.
- Make the daily shower a ritual. Body scrub all over? Five minutes of standing under the hot spray? Do whatever makes you feel good. Try to take longer rather than less time and focus on easing the tension in your body.
posted by eleslie at 7:04 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: raccoon409: Unfortunately, I don't have any friends who can let me stay over or give me product samples. I'm not a pool person either. I just wish I have a balcony where I can sit and watch the sunset but I don't. I live in a dense urban neighborhood so no sun basically because my view is blocked by buildings. It's quite depressing and as far from spa-like as possible.
I am considering getting the beauty supplies delivered beforehand and the groceries for five days on the first day or the day before.
posted by whitelotus at 7:08 AM on August 16, 2023
I am considering getting the beauty supplies delivered beforehand and the groceries for five days on the first day or the day before.
posted by whitelotus at 7:08 AM on August 16, 2023
Do you have a foot tub, or some kind of basin where you could soak your feet? Also, do you happen to have access to an aromatherapy diffuser? (You can sometimes find a cheap aromatherapy diffuser at Five Below, or at a similarly priced store). I've done the following relaxation ritual, upon coming home from work:
1. Place an aromatherapy diffuser next to where you'll be sitting. Turn it on, and fill it with your favorite essential oil scent.
2. Make yourself a cup of tea, and leave it within arm's reach.
3. Add Epsom salts to a foot tub filled with warm water.
4. Sit in a nearby chair, and soak your feet in the foot tub for 15-30 minutes (or until the water becomes lukewarm).
5. Listen to some soothing music while you're sitting there.
6. If you're a multitasker, you can also read your favorite book, while simultaneously listening to the music, sipping the tea, soaking your feet, and smelling the aromatherapy scents.
I like this relaxation ritual because it manages to engage all five senses. There's something about simultaneously engaging all five senses that allows me to feel like I've managed to escape from the stress and monotony of my daily life. I live alone in a studio apartment and all I could afford was a staycation this year, so little rituals like this are essential.
posted by carnival_night_zone at 7:18 AM on August 16, 2023 [5 favorites]
1. Place an aromatherapy diffuser next to where you'll be sitting. Turn it on, and fill it with your favorite essential oil scent.
2. Make yourself a cup of tea, and leave it within arm's reach.
3. Add Epsom salts to a foot tub filled with warm water.
4. Sit in a nearby chair, and soak your feet in the foot tub for 15-30 minutes (or until the water becomes lukewarm).
5. Listen to some soothing music while you're sitting there.
6. If you're a multitasker, you can also read your favorite book, while simultaneously listening to the music, sipping the tea, soaking your feet, and smelling the aromatherapy scents.
I like this relaxation ritual because it manages to engage all five senses. There's something about simultaneously engaging all five senses that allows me to feel like I've managed to escape from the stress and monotony of my daily life. I live alone in a studio apartment and all I could afford was a staycation this year, so little rituals like this are essential.
posted by carnival_night_zone at 7:18 AM on August 16, 2023 [5 favorites]
I would commit some time to sitting and looking out of a window each day, as if it were a painting. Just noticing different features, movements, sounds, patterns, textures etc. for however long as if you're at an art gallery. Switch up the window each day or note the differences in one view over a few days. I really enjoy this.
posted by guessthis at 7:43 AM on August 16, 2023
posted by guessthis at 7:43 AM on August 16, 2023
Put on a relaxing soundscape (rain, ocean) via youtube or a white noise app (ex).
Put some essential oils in water, then simmer the water on the stove.
If you can, I think it's worth making a trek to a park. Or at least do some sort of physical activity at home.
DIY sunset option. Or maybe put a nature focused webcam on a screen and watch the sun set there. Or look for a "full spectrum" light bulb or "sad" lamp.
Is it feasible to get a human sized bucket or inflatable tub to place in the shower? If not, I'd say make the bottom of the shower comfy with towels. Speaking of towels, a hot or cold towel might feel good.
If you enjoy (or tolerate) cooking, maybe this is the time to make elaborate recipes.
Look up diy massage techniques (and tools).
I would suggest brainstorming things to do that doesn't involve looking at a screen.
Podcasts.
posted by oceano at 7:46 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Put some essential oils in water, then simmer the water on the stove.
If you can, I think it's worth making a trek to a park. Or at least do some sort of physical activity at home.
DIY sunset option. Or maybe put a nature focused webcam on a screen and watch the sun set there. Or look for a "full spectrum" light bulb or "sad" lamp.
Is it feasible to get a human sized bucket or inflatable tub to place in the shower? If not, I'd say make the bottom of the shower comfy with towels. Speaking of towels, a hot or cold towel might feel good.
If you enjoy (or tolerate) cooking, maybe this is the time to make elaborate recipes.
Look up diy massage techniques (and tools).
I would suggest brainstorming things to do that doesn't involve looking at a screen.
Podcasts.
posted by oceano at 7:46 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you have hair on your head, you could do a warm oil treatment. Coconut oil is best, but olive oil will do if that’s what you can do. Warm up the oil and spend at least 10 minutes giving yourself a scalp massage. Wrap your hair in Saran Wrap, put a hat on, then go to bed. Next day, wash. (Use shampoo with no water to start)
There are many other self-massage practices, consult YouTube. Face massage is easy to do on yourself. Try doing this after doing some restorative yoga.
posted by shock muppet at 7:49 AM on August 16, 2023
There are many other self-massage practices, consult YouTube. Face massage is easy to do on yourself. Try doing this after doing some restorative yoga.
posted by shock muppet at 7:49 AM on August 16, 2023
I know you are exhausted but perhaps consider if, after you devote mornings, late afternoons, and evenings to physical rest, you might have energy for a few sedate lunchtime excursions: walks to any parks where you can sit and chill in nature, perhaps a picnic there, or lunch at a nearby cheap and chill place, or an herbal tea at a quiet cafe.
posted by Hypatia at 7:56 AM on August 16, 2023
posted by Hypatia at 7:56 AM on August 16, 2023
How about a DIY sugar scrub? This is just from a random googling but they’re easy to make and you may already have all ingredients at home (sugar, oil, some type of scent).
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 7:56 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 7:56 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
I love carnival_night_zone's suggestion, and would add that there are some nice, simple foot massages you can do on yourself that I always find relaxing. And that in the absence of a diffuser, a few drops of essential oil in the foot tub is also nice.
Other food that could be used for beauty purposes and potentially stretch your budget - yogurt-based face mask, green or black tea bags for a warm or cool eye compress, coconut oil on any stubborn dry skin.
If you've got room in the fridge for a pitcher or large jar, you can make yourself spa water with slices of fruit. I like cucumber, citrus, and mint, myself. Being able to drink something a little fancier than plain water feels luxurious without being expensive.
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:00 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Other food that could be used for beauty purposes and potentially stretch your budget - yogurt-based face mask, green or black tea bags for a warm or cool eye compress, coconut oil on any stubborn dry skin.
If you've got room in the fridge for a pitcher or large jar, you can make yourself spa water with slices of fruit. I like cucumber, citrus, and mint, myself. Being able to drink something a little fancier than plain water feels luxurious without being expensive.
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:00 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Look up how to do foot massages on yourself. It's not hard, and it can be very soothing.
mynoise has a very wide range of high-quality soundscapes that you can customize to your heart's content. While there are paid upgrades, most of the features are free.
I would also gently suggest that literally five days straight in a dark-ish closed-in apartment might be more depressing than relaxing. Is there a park near you? Most people benefit from even limited time in nature. Take a book, take your lunch.
posted by praemunire at 8:01 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
mynoise has a very wide range of high-quality soundscapes that you can customize to your heart's content. While there are paid upgrades, most of the features are free.
I would also gently suggest that literally five days straight in a dark-ish closed-in apartment might be more depressing than relaxing. Is there a park near you? Most people benefit from even limited time in nature. Take a book, take your lunch.
posted by praemunire at 8:01 AM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: While the spa stuff does sound nice, if I were as exhausted as you are, doing something new like that would feel like extra work. I got the chance to escape a stressful home situation and stay at a friend’s place downtown for five days while he was away this summer, and I spent it eating, smoking weed, playing with his dog, drinking my favourite NA beer, and bingewatching Peep Show.
Sometimes leaning into the depressing/trashy vibe can be more satisfying than trying to turn a place that clearly isn’t a spa into a spa. If you really want the spa atmosphere, get a bag of lavender (about $4 at the health food store near me), make some into tea, and boil the rest on the stove to make the place smell good. You’ll look better when you’re well rested and less stressed. Hydrate, eat well, and moisturize a lot.
posted by wheatlets at 8:09 AM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Sometimes leaning into the depressing/trashy vibe can be more satisfying than trying to turn a place that clearly isn’t a spa into a spa. If you really want the spa atmosphere, get a bag of lavender (about $4 at the health food store near me), make some into tea, and boil the rest on the stove to make the place smell good. You’ll look better when you’re well rested and less stressed. Hydrate, eat well, and moisturize a lot.
posted by wheatlets at 8:09 AM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
I don’t know your location but you may want to look up “private public spaces.” These are public spaces, but because of their connection with private ones, they often seem like you’re not allowed to go in and so fewer people use them. Examples could be courtyards and atriums next to large office buildings or banks. Cafes connected to museums. Lots of YouTubers/internet people catalogue them.
What about a library or another space that may have some outdoor space where you can relax? A park? Then you could get some sunlight and just zone out. Extra points if you leave your phone behind and just go with a book or nothing else
posted by raccoon409 at 8:43 AM on August 16, 2023
What about a library or another space that may have some outdoor space where you can relax? A park? Then you could get some sunlight and just zone out. Extra points if you leave your phone behind and just go with a book or nothing else
posted by raccoon409 at 8:43 AM on August 16, 2023
I gave myself a mini "staycation" yesterday, and did exactly zero "spa treatment" kind of things. (I washed my hair when I took a shower, that was about it.) Instead, I did a different sort of "self-care" list -
* Tackling a couple of easy but low-priority organizing projects; they weren't urgent, but they were low-level annoying, and I finally fixed them (think, like, "finally I threw away that pile of old newspapers tucked behind the couch")
* Making myself an omelet for lunch instead of just having a sandwich
* Reading one of the books in my "to be read" pile
* Blasting some music because yay my roommate wasn't home
* Finishing a knitting project
* Watching the longest movie in the stack of netflix DVDs I had so I could get it out of the way and mail it back in to them
...You know? Sometimes self-care isn't about face masks, sometimes it's about finally doing the mundane shit that is only low-level annoying; if you left it undone the world wouldn't end, but you'd be getting that teeny little mental wedgie because of slight inconvenience or whatever. Having the time to tackle that shit smooths things over for future you, and since it's also low-level, you can also just shrug halfway through and say "eh, not important" and leave it.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:12 AM on August 16, 2023 [6 favorites]
* Tackling a couple of easy but low-priority organizing projects; they weren't urgent, but they were low-level annoying, and I finally fixed them (think, like, "finally I threw away that pile of old newspapers tucked behind the couch")
* Making myself an omelet for lunch instead of just having a sandwich
* Reading one of the books in my "to be read" pile
* Blasting some music because yay my roommate wasn't home
* Finishing a knitting project
* Watching the longest movie in the stack of netflix DVDs I had so I could get it out of the way and mail it back in to them
...You know? Sometimes self-care isn't about face masks, sometimes it's about finally doing the mundane shit that is only low-level annoying; if you left it undone the world wouldn't end, but you'd be getting that teeny little mental wedgie because of slight inconvenience or whatever. Having the time to tackle that shit smooths things over for future you, and since it's also low-level, you can also just shrug halfway through and say "eh, not important" and leave it.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:12 AM on August 16, 2023 [6 favorites]
Best answer: I would resist this, but if I were you I’d really try to make myself go screen free during this time. Or at least part of it - say two or three days. The few times I have done this and called it a “weekend home retreat” I have found myself engaging in all sorts of neglected hobbies (ukulele, embroidery, painting, baking & cooking, writing letters), sleeping well and just feeling more energized.
If you have the skill OR don’t go screen free and can use YouTube, yoga or tai chi would be a nice addition! Also, check out the Insight Timer app for guided meditations.
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 12:17 PM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
If you have the skill OR don’t go screen free and can use YouTube, yoga or tai chi would be a nice addition! Also, check out the Insight Timer app for guided meditations.
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 12:17 PM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
If nature makes you happy, watch a free, live safari via www.WildEarth.tv or enjoy one of the beautiful free live cams at www.explore.org. It’s especially nice if you can watch on your television whether by smart TV app, Roku/Chromecast, or mirroring/casting from your phone.
posted by ReginaHart at 6:21 PM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by ReginaHart at 6:21 PM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
My favorite spa like sensation is an eye mask that has been cooled in the fridge. I think I bought mine at the dollar tree but they are available from Walmart/Target/Amazon/Ulta/FiveBelow example
If you have a heating pad it's enjoyable to warm up your back or shoulders while your eyes are cooling.
My other favorite thing is slugging my feet. Rub in some lotions and then absolutely slathering them in vaseline and then covering them with socks.
Another spa like treat is cucumber water or fruit in water.
posted by MadMadam at 7:31 PM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you have a heating pad it's enjoyable to warm up your back or shoulders while your eyes are cooling.
My other favorite thing is slugging my feet. Rub in some lotions and then absolutely slathering them in vaseline and then covering them with socks.
Another spa like treat is cucumber water or fruit in water.
posted by MadMadam at 7:31 PM on August 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
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Otherwise I would probably take day one to super clean my place, clean fresh sheets, get groceries, etc and then just doing nothing the following days.
If it’s summer by you and you like the pool, you could probably get a free visitor pass to a YMCA and hang out at their pool for an afternoon. Just ask at a front desk.
I love cut fruit, so I’d probably make a pretty platter for myself. Asian, Mexican or other “ethnic” grocery stores often have excellent fruit at reasonable prices that can be expensive at other grocery stores (dragon fruit, mango, guava, etc).
I’d ask friends if they have any beauty product samples they’re willing to part with and I’d use those rather than spending money on new items. If there is something you need/usually use you could order online from Sephora and get some free samples with the order
posted by raccoon409 at 6:22 AM on August 16, 2023 [2 favorites]