When the year begins to come to a close, we all tend so get a bit more lazy.
About 4 months shy of the new year we all look forward to getting to bed earlier, busting out the long sleeves and catching up on our favorite shows.
Depending on where you live, the majority of activities in the summer months take place outdoors, and daylight savings pushes everybody inside around September. For others like myself, the later months in the year such as August through December are the months where all the adventure lies.
Developments in just about all 50 states have picked up with upcoming attractions, new sights and restaurants, and a jam-packed nightlife scene. Places like New York and California have always been so lucky. And with developers doing all to mimic the experience, smaller less populated states now have a chance to do enjoy some indoor entertainment, for a small fee.
Some time ago I would dread the end of summer. Seasonal depression was on my back like a sweatsuit and the cold winter months coming did more to shake me than any horror movie. I'd do my best to get up and get active as much as I could, until the feeling of redundancy would settle in and I'd lose momentum. If this sounds like something familiar there may be some helpful places in this article that would help ease your mind during these times.
Find a Fall Festival in your hometown. Never mind what region, we all have a fall festival that comes around every year. They've got rides for all sizes, fun foods, fancy drinks, live music, fresh fruit and vegetables and all the community laughs you can share. Any state south of Virginia has a big time advantage with farming and agriculture slowing down in these months, which makes the farms and fields great places to hold festivals. Use the festival finder here to locate a fall festival near you.
Search upcoming festivals in the U.S & Canada 2024 here
Travel to the next state over. Road trips are good for the soul. Packing up the car or the RV, even grabbing a couple of bus tickets and hopping the boarder is quite the soul freeing adventure. A big part of our mental health as a society is dependent on the amount of time we spend outside, enjoying what we love. Outsider online says nearly half the population doesn't even bother anymore. Factors like remote work being at an all time high, home-based businesses thriving in a more cultured environment and streaming services releasing film at the same time as theaters mean that Big Media is creating a nice cozy environment for us to relax inside. And let's be honest, whose complaining! However, traveling every few months to a new destination brings about experiences you can't find indoors. Each time you travel you get a new picture for your scrapbook, a keepsake with real sentiment attached and a chance to breathe new air and see new faces. I created my Life's a Journey downloadable PDF scrapbook to inspire us all to sink our feet into the moment everyday. Within the beautifully decorated pages you can insert your most precious moments, commemorated with date, time location and event. The idea is to create as many memories as you can and store them for as long as you can. I use my off days to plan mini vacations to the next city or state over and it only cost me a few hundred bucks if planned correctly.
Looking for an overnight stay that's comfortable and reputable with deals weekly? Use the hotel brand locator to find a branch near you.
Rejuvenation Centers
Rejuvenation centers otherwise known as the spa, sauna or the chiropractors are always a great way to relax the muscles, replenish the nutrients in the skin and open up the airways leaving you feeling refreshed and new. During summer months these venues become increasingly popular for decompression sessions, post-surgery maintenance and group trips of the like. In the off seasons you can find them back to their normal occupancy with all services available. Groupon offers fantastic savings year-round for many establishments near you, even if it isn't a mainstream chain. Enjoy a quick getaway with long lasting benefits which will keep you grounded without draining your accounts. Even combine this with an impromptu road trip for double the regroup time.
The beach
Ahh the beach. Beaches are fantastic relaxation spots as they are plentiful, they are free, and they are the epitome of relaxation. Even places with the highest city traffic like New York and New Mexico city have dreamy, secluded beaches perfect for an overdue day trip. I used to be an over planner when it came to these things, buying sunscreen and too many snacks. But over the years I have found less is more and simplicity is the key to flexibility. A cheap beach trip for 2024 requires less than 100.00 if you go for the day, gas included. Refer to the quality lodge list in this article for luxury stays at an affordable cost. Added bonus; unless it's a rainy season you can pretty much visit any month of the year and have a great time. Packing a couple jackets and a cozy blanket for the trip can make the transition from day to night seamless and carefree, and the sleep you get after a good day at the beach is the least expensive sleep aid you'll find off the market.
Library/ Museums
For the most part, the libraries and museums near you offer a quiet environment to think. They're low cost or free depending on where you look, and they are great places to find community even if only for a short while. While making the list for most relaxing places 2024, libraries and museums are also very nurturing and enlightening places to be. The idea of relaxation is just that. It's an idea. And it can only be as successful as you make it. I like to take small pieces from life that I enjoy such as a DIY spa day or a solo coffee trip, and combine them with movie like experiences such as a long day window shopping or a blissful afternoon reading in a book store. I find that the refresh in your mind takes place almost immediately. And it's hard not to feel relaxed when the weather outside is frightful, but the feeling inside is so delightful. If you have not given your nervous system a rest all year try stepping inside a museum or a bookstore before December. This is a mindfulness technique that will put you on a positive foot forward. Your 30 Dollar Spa Day; Brought to You by Target (ladiesandlittlebites.blogspot.com)
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