Time For A Momcation?
It shouldn’t be a trend, but it is! The Momcation is when moms who need a break head out on their own (without the kids!) for a well-earned rest. New moms and moms who have been at it for a few years are starting to take a break, and it could be a few days; it might even be a week. And although there have been some nay-sayers and some guilt attached to the idea, everyone deserves a break to relax and unwind.
All parents deserve some time to recoup, rest and rejuvenate so that they can be the best version of themselves. So, if you’re looking for cool ideas for your next vacation, here are a couple.
Why should momcations be a thing?
In many households, the mother figure is the one who carries 90% of the workload for the house and the children, and without a proper break once in a while, this can be physically, emotionally and mentally draining. It leaves the default career exhausted in multiple ways, and that overwhelm can build up quickly. So, a few days away can make a significant difference in how the default parent feels.
Why is it called a momcation?
The momcation nickname was a quick way to refer to a mom vacation, which is becoming more popular. Specifically, moms, sometimes alone or at times in a group, go somewhere for a night or more without the children.
So where should you think about going?
Spa
A spa might sound like the obvious choice, but it is generally agreed to be one of the most relaxing places people can go. You don’t need to use the facilities there if you don’t want to - but it is pretty hard to beat the calm atmosphere and ambience in a spa.
People tend to hold a lot of tension in their shoulders, neck and jaw - so a massage can help release all of that and leave you feeling relaxed.
Retreat
Perhaps you are a budding writer or want to work on your meditation. There are many retreat options where you can be fully immersed in the experience. Yoga retreats, writers retreats, spiritual retreats and even breathwork and ice bath retreats like Breath Inspired are all possible. What is great about these places is that you will be surrounded by people who are into the same things as you - so you’ll never run out of conversation! You can learn, eat and enjoy there.
Walking or Hiking
This won’t suit everyone; after all, not everyone finds walking and hiking relaxing. But both walking and hiking have been shown to improve mental health, clarity, happiness and relaxation significantly. Simply being surrounded by green gives the brain a big boost, and the more time you spend there, the more you will benefit from it.
Hiking and walking holidays don’t appeal to everyone, but it is something that you should try at least once - because most often, the people who love hiking now didn’t always!
If you want to make your walking or hiking more interesting, it is better to head to one of the hundreds of gorgeous National Parks.
There are so many National Parks to choose from, some filled with bears, others with giraffes - and some with more trees that you can shake a stick at. Here are some of the world's best National Parks:
Namibia, Etosha National Park
India, Jim Corbett National Park
Italy, Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park
Vietnam, Cat Ba National Park
UK, Lake District National Park
All-Inclusive
Enjoy doing nothing but moving from the bed to breakfast and from there to the pool for a few days. No need to cook or find food; instead, you just pick what you want at that moment. Cocktails, coffee, wine and more are all there for you to enjoy. All-inclusive resorts are often considered to be one of the most relaxing holidays because you can completely switch off - everything is done and paid for.
Often, all-inclusive resorts have a range of packages, and some of them can include excursions or upgrades, so you can add a little more luxury if you want to. Or keep it simple with a good book and a poolside seat.
And if time is a constraint that you have to consider, then booking a single night away at a friend's or a hotel for a couple of hours of sleep or scrolling your phone for a few hours can help just as much! This moment when we are outside of the daily demands can help us gain clarity on who we are and offer some self-discovery: Rediscovering Yourself Amidst Motherhood.