Written by: Anita Avedian, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
For the past year and half the pandemic has stifled opportunities for travel. Many people have been eagerly awaiting Covid-19 restrictions to be decreased or to ultimately end. I'm sure you may know at least one person that due to the pandemic, travel plans were rescheduled or postponed indefinitely. Many individuals canceled flights, annual trips, and cruises considering the devastating effects of Covid-19.
No one would have thought or imagined that Covid-19 would last this long. We are a year and a half in, and the pandemic is still changing with updates about variants, vaccines, and booster shots. Covid-19 has changed the world of travel and tourism as we know it. Initially the changes translated to travel bans and restricted booking of transportation. The most recent update is proof of vaccination, negative Covid-19 results, and quarantine efforts before or after arrival to many destinations as a safety precaution.
Should we rethink vacationing while the world is still in many ways shut down?
Vacationing for many people is a great way to destress and re-center oneself, while experiencing the world around us. During the pandemic the need to get away and escape from life and relax is at an all-time high. Passport applications have skyrocketed now that travel and tourism is beginning to resurface with Covid-19 enforced safety procedures.
Despite activities to do and travel options increasing, the challenges for vacationing are still felt. Taking a vacation shouldn't be a luxury but a right. A right to find oneself, find peace, and to explore. Vacationing can be a life changing experience. However, after the year many people had, vacationing feels like a luxury that some may not want to indulge in due to affordability.
How can we reimagine travel?
What if I told you that some vacations and getaways can be local and ease some concerns related to Covid-19 and travel. Local adventures can still provide a way of escape, a way to destress, a way to find clarity and most of all fun. Have you heard of the concept of a Staycation? A staycation can be local tourism that is near to your home for a fun filled time free from flights, expensive travel fees, and the hassle of getting through an airport.
Staycation: Two Types of Staycations
Local Overnight Trip - a vacation spent near an individual's local home region rather than abroad.
Day Trip - involves time being spent in one’s hometown. The day is filled with local attractions or activities that only require a day trip.
There are many benefits to taking a staycation. The perks of this type of travel are:
Saves money- Reduces overall expenses
(Cost of flights, baggage fee, car rentals, hotels, etc.)
Sometimes reduced travel time
(Reduce hours’ worth of travel depending on the location of local attractions)
Ease of travel
(Hassle-free travel, no baggage size limit, no currency exchange, no removal of shoes at the airport, or limited size hygiene products)
Safer and contactless travel for Covid-19
(Use of your own vehicle)
Supporting local businesses
(Bring business to many small or growing businesses in your community)
Explore new things
(Learn about your own city or the city near you)
This will create a similar excitement and provide the motivation to take some much-needed time for yourself and family. You may be surprised with all the amazing local destinations within your hometown. You might just discover your new favorite thing or place to share with others or keep sacred for yourself.
Activities can be local attractions such as museums, theme parks, national parks, social events, spas, natural gardens, or a hiking trail. Local tourism could also be attending an event, seeing a beach, or staying at a nice Airbnb or hotel.
The reason why vacationing is so important is because it stops and reminds us that we are not robots, but we are humans. The same notion of rest and relaxation can be executed with a staycation and assist us in getting out of our daily lives and embracing being present and finding self-care or connecting with loved ones. What will you find in your local staycation pursuit? Happy Staycation!!!
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Anita Avedian, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Anita Avedian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (License # LMFT 38403) and has been practicing psychotherapy since 1996. She is the Executive Director of Avedian Counseling Center and has offices in Sherman Oaks, Glendale, Woodland Hills, and Pasadena. Her specialties include working with relationships, anger, social anxiety, general anxiety, and addictions. She also has been certified as a Thought Field Therapist (TFT) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), both which she integrates into her practice.
Outside of therapy, Anita offers a monthly anger management certification program to counselors. Anger Management Essentials is an approved National Anger Management Association (NAMA) model which is used for anger management certification. Moreover, Anita is an Authorized NAMA Trainer and Anger Management Supervisor for certifying anger management specialists. She authored Anger Management Essentials, a workbook for aggression, which has been translated into Spanish, Armenian, and Hebrew, as well as the teen’s workbook which has been translated into Spanish. Anita is the co-Founder of ShrinkSync, the app for therapists, the California Chapter of the NAMA which is the California Chapter of Anger Management Providers, and the Founder of Toastmasters for Mental Health Professionals.
