Everybody loves a vacation, but we know that sometimes it can be difficult to get away. You know the feeling: when you start to think about the packing, the planning, the money, taking time off work or school, hearing ‘are we there yet’ 50 times, vacation can seem like an exhausting proposition. Taking even a long weekend can feel like a luxury that you don’t have the time or means for, but getaway time is about much more than fun: beach vacations can be transformative. There’s a long list of vacation benefits for you, your partner, friends, family, and your kids (dogs, too!), and here are a few for you to consider as you think about your next beach getaway.
Learning experiences for you kids
Whether you’re traveling 2 hours or 24 for your getaway, the journey is as much a part of the unplugging and adventuring as arriving at your destination. Both are full of bonding opportunities for partners and provide learning opportunities for kids, too. Depending on their age, you can take this as an opportunity to teach them how to pack and plan. Show them that the weather says it will be 60 degrees and might rain once, that means they might want a layer they can put on or take off and a rain jacket. This also teaches critical thinking and to come prepared. If you’re driving, teach them how to read a map! The batteries on a map never die and it’s a great skill to have for whenever they may need it. If you’re flying, make them feel involved and responsible. Did you know you can ask for an extra copy of your ticket to be printed? Give them their own ticket to be responsible for and keep a backup just in case. With older kids that might be past these lessons, the Oregon coast is full of educational experiences. Head to the Aquarium or the Hatfield Marine Science Center to learn all about marine life, or check out the many museums and lookout points with historic information. Even a walk on one of our many gorgeous coastal or mountain trails, or a stroll on the beach, can be a chance to broaden horizons, spark great conversation, and learn together.
Reduce stress for the whole family
A survey by the U.S. Travel Association in 2015 found that about 75% of children said their parents brought work home, and six out of seven said they brought the work stress home with them as well. If we could ask pets, they’d probably say the same thing about their owners! With many folks working from home in 2020 and 2021, it’s harder to draw clear lines between work time and time for yourself, your partner, and your family. Kids are also facing new stressors at home as they try to adapt to learning remotely and not having the daily social interactions they are used to in the classroom. When kids are stressed, and parents are stressed out at home as well, it can be difficult to enjoy time together. The same study by the U.S. Travel Association also reported that 77% percent of kids reported feeling no stress when their parents made more room for family time. Not only will taking time off for a relaxing getaway help your stress levels, but it will help your kids as well. It’s never too late to build and model a healthy work-life balance!
Create lifelong memories
Of course, this is the first thing many people think of when they start to consider a vacation getaway. Remember family vacations when you were a child? Your first romantic getaway with a partner? That adventure you had with friends that you all still laugh about fondly today? That’s the power of getaways: they transform us and bring people together to strengthen relationships. Though cost is often a barrier that keeps families from taking that time away from their daily life, especially during these challenging economic times, worry not! Sweet Homes have a guide to keeping costs low here. And getaways remind us that the best gifts aren’t things that we buy, they’re experiences that create treasured memories, great photo ops, and stories to share over the years. Once you arrive at the coast, you can relax together, have game nights, explore the beautiful views and enjoy endless outdoor activities, and share peaceful, quiet moments with the sounds of the sea in the background.
Hopefully, we’ve helped you see that vacations are not indulgences, they are transformative opportunities to bond and share special moments and wonderful experiences. If you have more questions before you make plans for your beach getaway on the central Oregon coast, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-519-0437 or email us at info@sweethomesrentals.com. We are staffed 7 days a week with vacation planners who are waiting to help you easily plan a great vacation in a gorgeous home, so you can Stay Relaxed!
