Gift Yourself a 'Staycation' This Labor Day!

It is hard for me to believe that summer is over. It seems like just last week it was May, and now we are already past the first of September -- mere moments away from Labor Day.

When I was a child, summers seemed to last forever. As soon as we ran out of the building on the last day of school, it felt like September was years away. As a kid, my summers were filled with swimming and playing, chasing the ice cream truck and a million other small pleasures. It was as if the summers I remember would never end. But this summer went by in the blink of an eye.

For those of you who feel like me that summer disappeared before you could plan a real vacation, maybe it's time to plan a last-minute getaway. We're all busy. I'm always slammed this time of year with my own life, as well as spending time with my grandchildren. It's so easy to forget that we have a long weekend looming. That's when a last-minute getaway to some place special comes in handy. I'm very lucky to make my home in California, so there are a lot of options not far from me.

And what if you simply can't take a few days off? There are ways around that, too -- how about a "staycation"? Take a day to unplug and do something special just for you. Is there a cooking class you always wanted to take? How about a spa day? Or simply treat yourself to a lazy day of being pampered with a mani-pedi, massage or facial. How about a drive to a place you've always wanted to explore? And to make that trip of discovery even more enjoyable, bring a friend. I love to go on long walks with my dog. Maybe the best thing you could do for yourself right now is to simply enjoy the peace and quiet that can surround you by just being with yourself.

The possibilities of things to do near and far are endless. Take an afternoon off and be a tourist in your own city or town. Go to that museum you've always wanted to visit but instead have walked by a million times. Go to a movie you wanted to see but somehow no one else's schedule worked with yours. Go for a swim. Go for a walk. Or just curl up for the afternoon in a quiet place with a book you've been meaning to delve into. Turn off your phone for a few hours. Make it YOUR time.

Remember that taking a break every once in awhile keeps us sane. The world is spinning faster than ever. With 24-hour news cycles we can't escape the news no matter how hard we try. Whether it's a long holiday weekend trip, or a leisurely day at a spa, or just escaping into a good book. Take it from me, do yourself a favor and take the time. It's your gift to yourself.