By Deborah Adams

For those unable to get away, due to schedule or tight finances, you can still enjoy a Spring Break from the usual, a chance to clear your mind and renew your spirit with a one-day get-a-way in your own backyard.

Consider visiting a local spa for a mini vacation. Try to pick one that offers more than just massage or hair services, especially if you could hang out there for a couple of hours enjoying a soak in a whirlpool or a warm-up in a sauna before getting a great spa services, or ask if you can also enjoy a lunch between your spa treatments. Invite a friend or spouse along to share some rest and relaxation or go it alone and bring that book you keep meaning to read. Take the time to get away from the outside world for a bit to recoup and re-gather your thoughts.

If a spa vacation is out of your budget, try giving yourself a spa day at home. If you have a special someone in your life, take the time to create a little romantic getaway in your home or choose to “celebrate you” by going it alone.

First things first, turn off all electronic devices. Turn off the TV, computer and e-mail. Don’t allow yourself to stick a load of laundry in first or start the dishwasher – there is always time to catch up on those mundane must-do’s later. This is your mini-vacation and you wouldn’t be doing your laundry if you were in a nice hotel somewhere in the middle of paradise, so play along with the idea that you are on vacation and truly BE on vacation.

Most important of all, turn off your cell phone or disconnect your home telephone. Make sure you plan ahead if necessary to let necessary people know that you will not be available for the day and even leave an emergency contact if necessary – just like you would if you were going on an actual, factual vacation. This guarantees your home vacation will be just that, a vacation.

Plan ahead by getting the following home vacation supplies: a comfy robe or big plushy PJs, a favorite book or movie, a big bag of Epsom salts from any pharmacy or grocery store, rose petals from your local florist (a large bag of them is often less than $10), four to five strawberries, an orange, a lemon and a cucumber, five or six candles, a relaxing CD to soothe your mind, money and a menu for a favorite delivery meal or make up a beautiful salad the day before that you can pull out on your vacation day – you don’t want to have to make yourself a meal while on vacation.

Plan a well-day from work (calling in sick will only stress your internal self and put a strain on your workmates and employer – it is not worth it). Plan a vacation day, but stay home. Don’t tell anyone you are home, or make it clear that you are not to be interrupted.

Begin your home vacation day by cutting up the fruit and cucumber into ¼-inch slices. Set aside two slices of cucumber, but place everything else into a pitcher and fill it with pure water, no need to add sugar and don’t even think about an artificial sweetener! Allow the fruit and cucumber to give off its own essence and flavor, the water will have a clean, tasty naturalness.

Start your mini-vacation with a little activity such as a nature walk, some yoga or Tai Chi or just some stretching while sitting down on your living room carpet. Moving your body will wake up your physical being and stimulate your nervous system in a positive way.

Next, run a hot bath and add the entire bag of Epsom salts. Yes, all five pounds. Though it looks as if you will be sitting in a pile of salt, it will soon dissolve and make the water a beautifully soft texture, almost like being in the ocean. Sprinkle most of the rose petals over the top of the water, and maybe even sprinkle some around the tub or on the floor below it. Light all of the candles and set them around the room, even if you are doing this during the daylight hours, there is still something wonderful about the dance of a flickering candle to calm the soul. Turn on your relaxing music, just loud enough to be heard softly in the background.

While you slip into your salt water tub and enjoy a glass of your spa water mixture, sink back onto a bath pillow or large bath towel under your neck and place a cucumber over each eye; this actually does more than just look and feel fun, it pulls excess fluid from the skin around your eyes so they get a little lift.

While you are soaking, take yourself on a little journey through your body, starting at your toes and working your way to the top of your head. Make yourself aware of every inch of body as you focus on relaxing your feet, allowing your lower legs to feel heavy and relaxed, releasing any tension in your knees, and so on. Send good thoughts to your body and to yourself, remembering to take a few big sighs along your journey.

After your bath, enjoy your pre-made salad or call to order delivery while you sit in your robe or comfy PJs and watch a favorite movie or sink into a great chair with an even greater book. It won’t take long to feel fresh and renewed, time well spent in the investment of yourself with this inexpensive vacation for your body, mind and spirit. Enjoy!