You get back from your journey.

You unpack, pick up the mail, do the laundry, and sleep in your own bed.

Then, you wake up, the travel dreaming starts anew, and ask yourself, “Where can I go next?”

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Routines in a “home city” can be comforting. We can catch up with friends, work out at the gym, or do simple things like visiting a grocery store (without worrying that the milk will turn sour during a trip).

But the urge to travel again can hit, and hard. You may know the feeling all too well. Sometimes the “itch” sets in right after that last pair of socks is unpacked returned to the drawer. Other times, it hits us a few days or weeks after our return. It can be especially difficult to weather if you don’t have the bucks to take off at a whim or book several big trips a year.

How to Deal When the Travel Bug Bites

Here are 10 ways to scratch that travel-dreaming itch.

1. Start planning.

The most obvious solution is to plan your next trip. Having a journey to look forward to is always energizing. But check that bank account balance before you click the button. Budgeting for your travel bug is essential, especially as we age and may have limited funds.

2. Delve into travel research.

If you can’t afford that trip or your schedule is jammed, researching places and activities can be a good outlet for wanderlust. Check out Pinterest boards, chat up friends about their favorite travels. Think of this as knowledge building, even if you can’t book that ticket.

Find a local travel group; no worries if you never meet in person.

3. Take a virtual vacation.

So many options exist for exploring the world without ever leaving your couch. Among the ones I have seen are virtual National Park experiences, technology on fitness equipment that enables you to “tour” while burning calories and building muscle, and VR journeys to far-flung destinations.

4. Create a digital or physical “scrapbook.”

This is a great way to share past adventures and reflect on the fun and inspirational trips you’ve taken. There are loads of cool tools to try. Upload your photos to the cloud (e.g., Google Photos) and then “drag and drop” them into a site like Canva. They offer great templates. You can share your images and video with family and friends too! Other ways to organize and display your favorite travel moments is through a push-pin map, a decorative postcard collection, or a memorabilia shadow box.

5. Hang out with other wanderlusters.

Find a local travel group; no worries if you never meet in person. MeetUp, NextTribe, and Facebook can be great ways to connect with other people who share your passion for travel and adventure.

6. Explore an area near your “home base.”

Make it some place you may never have seen before. It can be a day trip or a quick weekend excursion. Find those interesting, inspiring, and perhaps even quirky places you’ve never visited: museums, parks, shopping areas, or music venues. Search online for visitor recommendations and discover new places within a 100-mile radius.

However you choose to deal with your wanderlust, remember you’re not alone. A huge tribe of us are out there, always ready to enjoy that next adventure (even if it’s just travel dreaming from our bed at home).

7. Take a staycation.

Be a tourist in your hometown. You might even spring for a night at a cute boutique hotel (do onlinie research; midweek deals can be plentiful). Having someone make your bed and wash your coffee cup, even 30 minutes away from home, can make you feel like you’ve been transported to a new place. Feeling social? Grab a friend and plan a group trip. Feeling stressed? Pick a place with a day spa and let your troubles float away. Even one night away from home can positively affect your mood and scratch that “gotta travel” itch. Plus, you may meet some new and interesting travel companions.

8. Think seriously about becoming a digital nomad.

Even if only briefly. The lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but if you try it out for, say, a couple of months or a year, you may discover that rent or a mortgage are unnecessary and that living on the road is a better lifestyle for you at this life stage. More options and resources (e.g., communities, short-term stay options, fully-equipped “glamper vans”) exist today than ever before.

9. Try a home swap of house-sitting/pet-sitting gig.

It can be a fun way to travel affordably and experience someplace new for a short stay. And have fun with a furbaby!

10. Armchair travel, anyone?

A dose of great globetrotting travel series on TV or following some top-notch travel influencers can let you learn about new potential destinations while hanging out at home.