Need a Change of Scenery? Try Taking a ‘Workcation’!

A workcation is pretty much a trip where you combine work and vacation. You travel somewhere, do your normal work during the day, and enjoy the vacation aspect when your work is done, or on the weekends. It’s something that freelancers, like myself, have been doing for a long time. We consider it a working style, but not many could manage it–until now. With the current Covid-19 climate and so many working remote, more and more employees can enjoy this digital nomad lifestyle.

And before you say, “That sounds absolutely awful, why not just take a real vacation,” hear me out. Picture taking a dip at the beach during your lunch break or lounging poolside while crushing a deadline at work, mojito in hand.

BC, (before Covid-19), most of our schedules were so packed, finding time for a real vacation was not always easy. With limited vacation days and packed schedules, we were always plugged in, clocking way too many hours in the office. If you were lucky enough to travel often for work, you might already be familiar with this term, unlike many.

Now, DC (during Covid-19), working remotely and having location flexibility mean this digital nomad-esque schedule is something to consider. In fact, it might even benefit your mental health. When you take a workcation you’re able to explore a new area after work, or on the weekends, and get to change up your day-to-day scenery, which we could probably all use, especially if you’ve been WFH from your parents house or with kids running around.

How to take a workcation

Finding the perfect workcation spot is definitely different from your typical vacation planning, especially with social distancing and travel restrictions. Ideally, you want to go somewhere that you are either familiar with or don’t have a huge stake in exploring. Before planning anything, make sure to check quarantine guidelines to make sure you are able to safely venture out in the new area. It’s best to keep a workcation local, so you can safely drive to your location.

Recently, I did a workcation in Boston. I’ve been to Boston dozens of times, so I didn’t feel a need to fully explore, but since I fled NYC in March and have been living in Maine with my in-laws, I’ve been craving the feel of a city. I was able to check into an extremely sanitized hotel, The Envoy Hotel, in the Seaport area, and set up a work area in my room. My room overlooked the water and city streets, which was a nice change from the kitchen countertop. Plus, I was able to safely experience some city dining at night, which I’ve really been missing.

Another great workcation is traveling to a family home that you don’t often get to visit or renting a house with your family. If you pick a nearby beach, mountain, or lake location, you can enjoy lunch breaks in the water and at night can explore the town or city–socially distanced, of course.

If you can safely travel, a lot of hotels are offering packages that cater to workcations. The Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale, is offering a DND (‘Do Not Distract’) package for a mini workcation that feels more like an indulgent escape. With all-day access to a poolside suite that doubles as your private workspace, you can get a power lunch from their restaurants, and after-work cocktails or a private poolside Peloton spin session. Other hotels, like W Fort Lauderdale, are offering deals on extended stays in suites, that allow you to socially distance in a multi-bedroom suite that is perfect for co-workers or families.

Wherever you decide to go, just make sure you know a few things before you commit to your workcation. And as always, practice social distancing, wear a mask, and be safe: Check out the CDC guidelines for travel, and since travel guidelines and rules are changing regularly, make sure to check to see whether the places you want to visit are requiring visitors to self-quarantine on arrival.

Tips for a productive trip:

• Make sure you have strong connectivity. Wherever you are going, call ahead to make sure there is wifi. Make sure to have an alternative plan, like a hotspot on your phone, in case you run into any issues.
• Pack the necessary tools, like notebooks, files, or even a second monitor. Depending on where you’re taking your workcation, you might be able to replicate your typical work setup. If you’re staying in a house, pack the food and libations you’ll want to eliminate the need for store trips.
• Have a designated area for work. If you’re on Zoom calls with your team all day, you might want to have a room where you’re staying with a clean, uninterrupted background. If you can, try switching up where you’re working. Staying plugged in doesn’t mean you need to be trapped in someone else’s kitchen or bedroom. Take your laptop to the balcony, backyard, or even by the pool.
• Stay focused. It’s easy to get distracted and want to enjoy the vacation aspect of your trip. Try to set goals for yourself. If you can, have a certain amount of work that you need to accomplish scheduled in the morning, so you can take a break at lunch. The same goes for the afternoon.

Have you taken a workcation? Tell us about it in the comments–and shop our work from home edit for effortless remote ready-to-wear!