This article is part ofSELFs Rest Week, an editorial package dedicated to doing less.
(And were taking our own advice: TheSELFstaff will be OOO during this time!)
In todays hyperconnected world, people often struggle to detach, even when theyre away from work.
Amrita Marino
A little luxury helps you to do that, especially when youre at home.
Meals that are low fuss, luxurious, and keep you satisfied?
All of that might, at first, sound…mythical.
But rest assured, its possible.
What follows: dietitian-approved suggestions that check all of the boxes.
Youll learn how to easily prep your foodas well as plan meals that feel restorative and a little fun.
The week before: Determine your cost-versus-time budget.
A staycation involves none of those costs.
Consider: Would you benefit from taking some of those savings and investing them into your recovery week?
Yes, its work.
Theres no getting around that.
A couple days before: Plan your menu.
This is another way to maximize the mental break you get from your staycation.
Many of these options here will play double duty, showing up in multiple feed-yourself tips below.
Chili,soups, stews, and casseroles create enough food for more than one night.
So with a little prep work now, you could free up some time later.
Plan to cook for and enjoy leftovers a few times during the week.
Many of these kinds of mealssay, thesebig-batch dinnersorfilling soupsalso freeze really well.
These tiny morsels seem fancyeven indulgentbut they require hardly any time to toss together, says Broxterman.
As Dr. Boseovski mentioned, indulging creates that Im on vacationand not at work!
For cooking inspiration, try these27 sheet-pan dinners, ranging from chicken fajitas to stir-fry.
For othergreat one-pot options, look for slow and multi cooker recipes too.
Plus, your cutting board will be the only thing that gets dirty.
Use prewashed, bagged salad greens as its base, and the prep gets even easier.
Steal chopped veggies from charcuterie night.
Then get proteins from your sheet-pan, one-pot, or batch-cooking meals.
Use other leftoversfrom roasted veggies to olives to fancy cheeseto take that salad from edible to vacation worthy.
you’re able to also liven it up with some of thesehomemade dressing recipes.
Just toss in those extra roasted veggies from the night befores sheet-pan meal, suggests Moore.
Then sprinkle in some cheese and youve got a delectable dish.
During your rest week: Make meals restorative.
Pairing healthful foods with relaxing surroundings or a beautiful presentation creates a positive association, Dr. Boseovski says.
It helps to remind you that this week is special.
Consider the following to turn up the special while turning down the stress.
Take time to linger and taste samples of olive oils, cheeses, and other speciality items.
Settle down with a cup of gourmet coffee or tea.
Enjoy yourself as you look for fun treats that can complement the meals youve already planned for yourself.
Would some grass-fed goat cheese liven up salad night?
How about fresh-baked sourdough bread to go with your charcuterie?
), sip some wine, and enjoy one anothers company.
Then divide the spoils of your labor, so you both benefit from the day.
You might treat yourself to an outdoor picnic, and enjoy eating outside in nature by a scenic lookout.
Or just eat outside in your backyard.
Bring a soft blanket to up the cozy vibes even more.
If the weather doesnt permit outdoor eating, consider ways to add a luxurious twist to indoor meals.
There are no hard-and-fast rules.
So consider: What would make you feel special and cared for?
Then, go do that.
