Plan a Microbreak

Some call it a microbreak, others call it a mini-cation or micro-cation. I believe the Brits call it a mini break. Either way, my challenge to you is to plan at least one microbreak in the upcoming months! 

What’s a Microbreak?

Generally speaking, a microbreak is around 3-4 days. It’s slightly longer than a normal weekend getaway, but it should feel like a lot less work than planning a full-blown vacation.

Reasons to Plan a Microbreak or Minication

It’s a quick way to recharge. 

I’ve said it often, but I truly think one of the best things to do for your mental health is to travel. From the endorphin rush that comes with planning to the experience of actually traveling – it’s such a great way to recharge and recalibrate. Similar to day trips, microbreaks are a quicker way to get those energizing effects!

It’s not as disruptive to your schedule.

Longer vacations often require a lot more logistics and expenses. You and whoever you’re traveling with usually need to request time off at work. If you have pets, you’ve got to organize a pet sitter or pet hotel stay. If you have kids, you’ve got to plan around their school, sports, extracurriculars, and friends. Heck, even if you just have plants, you’ll probably need to ask a neighbor to water them for you! 

That’s all to say, microbreaks are much less disruptive to your schedule. It’s a lot easier to manage all the above when you’re only gone for 3-4 days versus 1-2 weeks. 

For those who overplan, its compact nature forces you to plan less. 

If you are the type of person who prefers to plan out extremely detailed itineraries, the fact that a microbreak is less than 4 days will ease your workload and thus your overall stress. 

And for those that do not plan well, its compact nature makes organization more feasible. 

On the flipside, if you’re the type of person who immediately gets information overload trying to plan a week+ itinerary, knowing you only have to plan for four or fewer days will make the whole thing feel much more manageable. Not to mention its shorter nature will really force you to edit and be more organized.

They can be much more budget-friendly. 

We’re all tightening our belts in this economy, so a microbreak is a great way to get the benefits of travel without breaking the bank. Besides the obvious, like fewer nights away means less spent on hotels, you can plan your microbreak to more easily take advantage of travel deals. 

Key to a Good Microbreak

Okay, now that I’ve convinced you of the merits of a microbreak, here is where I lay out some ground rules to set you up for a successful getaway. Because, despite a lot of overlap, planning a microbreak will be different than a day trip or vacation!

Pick somewhere where you have less than 3 hours of travel time. 

Whether that means taking the train, flying, or driving, you do not want to book your microbreak somewhere that requires a ton of travel before or after. I find anything over 3 hours requires some recovery, but it might be slightly longer or shorter for you! Either way, keep it short. You shouldn’t need to set aside travel days or need to really recover from the transit itself! 

Think about what you want from your microbreak.

When you sit down to book your microbreak, take a moment to really think about what you want out of it. Someone who’s in a rut and wants to shake up their daily schedule is going to need a very different microbreak than someone who’s in desperate need of rest and rejuvenation. 

Create a more organized itinerary than normal.

In general, it’s a good idea to plan an itinerary so you know where to book your accommodation and what you can feasibly do in 3-4 days. I like to cluster my activities to minimize travel in between as much as possible. Might just be the New Yorker in me!

Not to mention, depending on where you go, if food is going to be a big part of your trip, you’re going to want to know what days a restaurant is closed or if you need to reserve a table in advance. The same goes for tours and attractions.

Do not get bogged down with luggage.

When it’s time to pack and leave for your trip, remember not to overpack! You’re only going to be gone for a few days, so there is no need to pack everything and the kitchen sink. Bring a carry-on or even a weekender bag, and travel as light as possible. 

Types of Microbreaks You Might Love

Here are just some microbreak ideas to get you started!

A Mini Road Trip

You know me, I love a good road trip! I think they’re perfect to plan with friends because there’s plenty of car time to catch up while creating new memories with each stop. Plus a road trip can offer a ton of flexibility as long as you have your turnaround point and where to stay each night. Start by exploring what’s nearby from your own front door, and then build a route from there.

A Culture City Break

If you already live in a city, this might not be what you need from a microbreak. However, for those of you who live in more rural or suburban areas, a city break might be exactly what you need for a recharge. Figure out what you want to get out of a city – whether it’s sightseeing, art and museums, nightlife, the restaurant and bar scene – and then pick a city that’ll deliver.

I find these city breaks are fun to do solo. Cities have so much going on, you’ll find about a million more things to do, so it’s good to have the ultimate flexibility day to day! 

A Hiking or Walking Microtrip

I love the idea of camping in a park and having easy access to nice, long day hikes! Set up your campsite and then start each morning exploring a new trail. Finish by dinner and grill up some burgers or hot dogs to enjoy while the sun starts to set. Bonus if you want to start a fire or have space for a hammock.

These kinds of outdoor trips will probably start to get old for most of us after a few days (especially if you stay somewhere where the bathroom and shower situation is limited), so they’re perfect to plan as a microtrip.

A Food & Drink Escape

If you love good food and drink, why not plan your mini-trip around it? Think underrated wine regions or a region known for certain produce and food. Maybe there’s a food festival you can plan your trip around.

A Wellness Mini-cation

And, of course, the ultimate microbreak – a wellness mini-cation! Consider exploring meditation or yoga retreats to see if you can take a few days off and completely unplug to focus on your health and wellbeing. Even better? A retreat that involves a digital detox. 

And that’s all you need to know about microbreaks and why I’m challenging you to plan one for yourself. Let me know below what trip you’re thinking of!