How To: Make Leap Day Really Count

Need a reason to leap for joy? Here’s one: We have 24 extra hours this year! February 29 only comes around once every four years, and it’s on a Thursday, which is a good excuse to turn it into one long weekend—not that we needed an excuse, of course.

The calendar’s carved out the time for you, so you might as well make the most of it! If you don’t have your bucket list handy, we’ve got a couple ideas to help you turn an extra day into a memory that will last a lifetime.

This Calls for a Spa Day (Or Weekend!)

We all deserve a moment to focus on ourselves, but it’s easy for peace and quiet to get lost in the shuffle of everyday life. Take this leap day as a sign to pencil in the downtime you deserve: a full-fledged weekend of quality self-care.

Treat your body to a luxurious massage that wrings all the tension out of your system. Give yourself a vibrant makeover with a hydrating facial, then sweat out all of life’s stresses in the sauna. By the end of it all, you’ll feel refreshed and ready for whatever comes your way.

So book yourself a long weekend at a spa—like our Spa Rosa at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte, for example—to use this extra time to unplug, unwind, and decompress. After all, who can complain about being too relaxed?

Get a Jumpstart on Spring

March will be just around the corner—and that means spring isn’t too far behind. We can already feel the sunshine, and you can meet it head-on by getting a head start! After all, with all this extra time on your hands, you’ve got the opportunity to prepare for your best season yet, where endless possibilities await.

Set the stage by getting ahead of spring cleaning so you can hit the ground running on March 21st. Get everything at home in order, organize your lighter layers, and donate whatever you won’t need. As the classic saying goes, out with the old, in with the new.

With all the space you just freed up, you can start curating your signature spring look that puts your personality in the limelight without compromising your comfort. Need some tips for your wardrobe refresh? We’ve got you covered with 5 tips from our expert stylists.

We'll Get Around to It... Now

You know that trail you’ve been meaning to hike or that hidden cove you’ve been itching to explore? Well, now’s the time! Adventures don’t have to be far—sometimes they’re close to home, just waiting for you to arrive. So throw on your comfiest performance styles and most stylish activewear and get out there!

Alternatively, if you’re feeling like more of a homebody, there are still ways to check things off your “I’ll get to it eventually” list. Practice that cocktail recipe you’ve been meaning to master or polish your golf clubs to prepare for the next day on the links. After all, there’s no better time to catch up on things than when you have extra time!

Spontaneous Getaway, Anyone?

We might be stating the obvious here, but who could say no to another opportunity to chase the sun? Take the chance to pack your bags and jet—no ifs, ands, or buts! Your destination is calling, and the world’s given you the time to seek it.

Been meaning to see the sun set in Fiji? Book your ticket and go! Want to recreate that romantic getaway in St. Lucia? Nothing’s stopping you from reliving your best memories. Want to surprise the family? They’ll have the biggest smile on their faces on the shores of Waikiki.

No matter how you spend your extra 24 hours this leap year, do yourself a favor and make an event out of it. Turning it into a long weekend is just the start!