6 Ways to Enjoy Summer at Home

At the beginning of this year, had you already started planning your summer vacation? Were you planning to fly across the world, or even across the country?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Canadians have cancelled their summer vacation plans. 

In our recent study, Tourism in Canada: Understanding Travel After COVID-19, conducted in early May, we learned that:

  • Canadians are less comfortable travelling internationally than domestically.
  • Four-in-ten (42%) Canadians would be comfortable going on a road trip within two months of protective measures being lifted, with the number growing to 66% within six months.
  • 40% of Canadians indicated that they will never travel by cruise ship moving forward.

How do your comfort levels compare?

We’re sorry if you had to cancel a trip this summer. To help lift your spirits, we’ve put together a list of 6 suggestions for enjoying summer close to home!

HERE ARE OUR 6 IDEAS FOR ENJOYING SUMMER AT (OR CLOSE TO) HOME!

1. Set up a comfy spot to relax in your backyard or on your balcony

Personalizing a space to relax at home may help improve your mood: and you don’t need to spend a lot of money! We recommend setting up a comfortable place to sit and adding small touches that suit your style, such as a set of string lights or some herbs or plants.

Best of all, LEO may be able to help: this month, you can enter our new contest for a chance to win 1 of 5 Home Depot gift cards that can be redeemed in-store or online.

woman decorating her patio with lights

2. Make a fun cocktail (or mocktail)

After setting up your mini oasis, why not prepare a cocktail or mocktail to celebrate? Sharing a beverage with whoever you live with (whether it’s your spouse, friends, etc.) can be a great way to wind down at the end of a long day. And if you lack inspiration, we’ve got you covered: check out our article about 4 Cocktails & Mocktails to Make This Summer. Mini umbrellas, anyone?

cocktail shaker, mint, and oranges

3. Set up a picnic in your living room

Is it pouring rain outside, or perhaps way too hot? Take a trip back to childhood with an indoor picnic. Set up a blanket on the living room floor and share your favourite picnic foods with your family. Bonus points for having plastic dishes and cutlery, or even a picnic basket! If you like, you could also build a blanket fort afterward.

picnic basket and blanket in living room

4. Read a new eBook or listen to an audiobook

Summer is a great time to relax with the company of a good book. If you have a library card, check to see if your local library allows you to borrow eBooks or audiobooks online! If they don’t, there are plenty of other affordable options.woman reading an ebook

5. Get outside for some exercise (while keeping 6 feet away from others)

If you feel safe doing so, going for a walk, a run, or a bike ride outside is a great way to lift your spirits and get some exercise. Make sure to check out LEO’s July Instagram Contest for a chance to stock up on some of your favourite outdoor gear: five lucky LEO members will win a $100 MEC gift card.

older man riding his bike

6. Take a LEO survey

Don’t forget to check the To Do Today page of your LEO account frequently to see which surveys are available. Done all your surveys? Answer the Question of the Day, or rate anything under the sun using the Love, Hate, Rate feature. If you are not a LEO member yet, you can sign up here. 

LEO home page

Not a fan of any of these ideas? Check out this article we shared in March, which includes 7 other things to do when you’re social distancing.

WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO TO ENJOY SUMMER AT HOME? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

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