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5 Fun Staycation Ideas For You And Your Spouse

There’s nothing like escaping the realities of everyday life with the one you love. But sometimes a full-blown vacation just isn’t in the cards. Whether the budget is a bit tight these days, you’re short on vacation time from work, or you’re just looking for a change of pace in your typical routine, here are 4 fun staycation ideas that you and your spouse can enjoy together:

1. The Backyard Campout

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, look no further than your own backyard! Pitch a tent, grab some flashlights, and build a fire in the firepit (or use the grill) to cook hotdogs and make s’mores! Enjoy an evening of looking up at the stars and telling ghost stories, all with the comforts of home just steps away.

2. The Movie Watching Marathon

Take a trip to Redbox, scope out the $5 movie bins at Walmart, or browse your own shelves to find a line-up of movies that you’d like to watch together (make it fun and let each person pick their favorites!). Then, grab all your favorite theater snacks (don’t forget the candy and popcorn!) and kick back for an all-day movie marathon extravaganza.

3. The At-Home Spa

Bring the relaxation of a day at the spa to your own home! Draw a bubble bath, do a fun face masque together, and take turns giving each other massages. Then you can put on your bathrobes and kick back to the sound of soothing music while sipping on water with fresh lemon slices.

4. The Local Explorers

Too often we grow accustomed to our usual routine and forget what it’s like to look at the place that we live with fresh eyes. So do some research to find the best local restaurants, coffee shops, museums, breweries, parks, and other destinations for visitors to your area, and become a tourist in your own town!

5. The Themed Evening

Decide on a theme together, then eat cuisine and watch a movie or listen to music that goes along with it! Some examples might include a sushi night accompanied by a fun karate movie, or the documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” enjoying your favorite Mexican food while listening to mariachi music, or a spread of Indian food while watching a fun Bollywood film. The possibilities are endless!

No matter which type of staycation you choose, commit to each other to unplug from the rest of the world (and your typical responsibilities) as much as possible so that you can make the most of this time together.

The Way You Respond to Your Significant Other Can Completely Change Your Relationship

Most commonly, when one person in a relationship comes to the other with a problem (or even just wanting to vent), the instinct of the other person is to spring into action – offering their advice or encouraging words in an effort to aid them in feeling better. But what if I told you that by doing so, you could actually be making things worse!

Despite your good intentions, trying to bypass their feelings to get to a solution can actually cause more harm than good.

One of the most powerful aspects of a strong relationship is feeling that you are heard and known by the person you are with. In order for this connection to be made, the most effective way to respond to your significant other in times of distress is with empathy.

Brene Brown does an excellent job of explaining the importance of empathy, and what an empathic response looks like, in this video:

The next time your partner comes to you with a problem, a rough day, or the need to vent, try showing them empathy before ever jumping to “solutions,” and experience the difference that it will make in your relationship.