Every year, National Escape Day beckons to people on January 30 to move away from their daily lives and invest some time in rejuvenating themselves. The day literally encourages you to run away from your daily existential problems and simply live in the moment. While it is something that people should do daily, the pressing issues of life push them into putting it off for another day. National Escape Day tells you to live in the now, and to live life fully.
History of National Escape Day
When life becomes a treadmill, and you find yourself running to nowhere, it’s best to just get off it for some time. This is the chief idea behind National Escape Day.
At some stage, everyone feels overwhelmed by the pressures of life. Bills, performance, exams, expectations, deliverables, deadlines, e.t.c., run us ragged at times. While the pressing nature of life today is inescapable, it would do you plenty of good to put your feet up for a day.
National Escape Day is your day — a day when you live life without worrying about credit card payments or deadlines. It is for you to treat yourself as the monarch of your very own realm.
While some may want to escape away physically from the maddening rush, others would be content with just escaping in their mind. Whatever your preference, it offers an excuse to live a day-tight life.
While there are no clear indications about the holiday’s origins, it has caught the interest and imagination of people in the U.S. Over the years, people have made it a point to unabashedly go incognito for a day without running the risk of rubbing bosses, clients, e.t.c., the wrong way. It lets people tell the world that they need a break — without sounding lazy or appearing burned out.
So go ahead! Run, walk, rest, get a massage or simply sit beside the sea counting the waves! There are no rules except that you should follow no rules! Whether you surf the sea, escape to a hill resort, walk into your neighborhood spa or merely lather yourself in the bath, this day is all about getting off the treadmill to pamper your life’s central being – you!
National Escape Day timeline
Despite there being no clear reference to when the day started, it is widely believed that the world celebrates National Escape Day for the first time on January 30.
More people are now aware of the day in its second year and observe it by taking a day-long vacation.
Five years since the day began, people across the U.S. recognize it as a day to just live in the moment.
People continue to celebrate the holiday, albeit in a low-key manner and mostly virtually, as the world deals with the pandemic.
National Escape Day FAQs
What is National Escape Day?
On January 30, people across the U.S. take a well-deserved break from the stresses and pressures of daily life.
What preparation should I do to celebrate National Escape Day?
Prepare yourself for a day of simply relaxing and going with the flow. Whether you read a book, go for a massage, run a couple of miles, or simply sit in the sunshine, the idea is simply to relax.
How do I celebrate National Escape Day if I can't afford to go on a holiday?
You don’t need to ‘go’ anywhere to celebrate National Escape Day. Just slow down, relax and take life easy. If you can’t go anywhere, let your thoughts roam freely.
National Escape Day Activities
Take a digital detox
Since we are surrounded by our gadgets 24/7, which keep us connected throughout the day, it'd be a good idea to disconnect from the internet for a day. Switch off your smartphone, laptop, iPod, and even your Wi-Fi. Shun the internet for a day and simply smell the roses in the garden!
Pamper yourself
Get yourself a massage, a new hair-do, a manicure, or a pedicure. It's high time you treated the king or queen in you to all the regality you deserve. If you can do nothing else, just luxuriate in the bathtub and let your cares soak away.
Do nothing
Yes, you read it right! Just do whatever comes to your mind at that time. Living in the moment is a happy way to loosen yourself up. You'll be amazed at the amount of peace of mind you find when you have nowhere to go or nothing to do.
5 Devices To Go Without On National Escape Day
Clock
If you are living in the moment, you don't need to know the time, right?
Wi-Fi router
Stay disconnected from the internet to reconnect with your inner self.
Mobile charger
Allow your smartphone’s battery to die so that you can fully recharge yourself.
Washing machine
Put off washing clothes for a day so that the washing machine doesn't remind you of work, chores, and deadlines.
Dishwasher
Eat in disposable plates and bowls to avoid washing up.
Why We Love National Escape Day
Our tired souls need a break
In the hyper-connected and hyper-opinionated world of today, time away from happenings around us will draw our attention to an essential, but often neglected aspect of our lives — our happiness. Like our bodies, even our minds need a bit of rest.
It can help us think freely
When devices weren't connected, humans were free! To enable us to think freely, we need to relax. Taking a day off from 'the grind' would free our thought bandwidth and allow us to think qualitatively.
A brief distraction can help us to focus better
To jump big, one needs to step back. When you take a break, you are actually stepping back and preparing to come back more motivated than ever. Cleaning the temp files and cache memories clogging our minds’ disks will improve performance, don't you agree?
National Escape Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 30 | Thursday |
| 2026 | January 30 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 30 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 30 | Sunday |
| 2029 | January 30 | Tuesday |
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