How to Maintain Your Health Goals While Traveling
Not only at work and home but also with our health and how we care for ourselves, this year has been full of “pivots.” It’s safe to say that your health and wellness habits have recently changed, regardless of whether you’ve started a new meditation routine, discovered how to make every type of bread imaginable, stopped exercising when gyms closed, changed your eating habits, discovered a newfound love for at-home spinning, lost weight, gained weight, or haven’t worn real pants in months. We all deserve a break; that much is certain.
Here are a few of my best recommendations for fostering or sustaining healthy behaviors while on vacation:
EAT CONSISTENTLY
While irregular schedules and a lack of routine are frequently associated with vacations and are part of what makes them so wonderful, they can be harmful to some healthy routines. I frequently observe clients skipping meals—whether out of willful ignorance or simple forgetfulness—and not having enough snacks. It can result in a variety of difficult circumstances, such as overeating, bloating, constipation, a lack of energy, and irritability. Generally, I advise keeping snacks on hand and limiting fasting periods to 3 to 4 hours. To prevent getting into a sticky (and hungry!) scenario, take a look at your schedule and mark out restaurants or fast-casual places you can eat at while you’re out and about.
HYDRATE
Changes in routine and schedule can cause some people to forget to drink water constantly. A hydration plan is essential since dehydration can occur quickly, especially in warmer areas. Dehydration can cause significant discomfort in addition to headaches and drowsiness. It can also cause the digestive system to become backed up.
MOVE
Vacation is a terrific opportunity to move in a fun way, whether you’ve started a new workout regimen after being released from quarantine or you want to start one right away. Utilizing previously unexplored hiking trails, running routes (one of the finest ways to see a new city! ), fitness studios, and swimming pools can rekindle your love for a certain type of activity or encourage you to develop a completely new one. Self-guided walking tours can be a great way to experience a new area and log lots of steps without worrying about keeping to a timetable. A brief break can also offer you some time to consider how you want your workout to proceed once you return home.
REST
Wanting to do all the things while on vacation can be tempting, but don’t forget one of the best parts of being away: relax! The body and the mind recharge during sleep, and making time for an extra hour or two when you have no deadlines, meetings, school drop-offs, or other commitments can work wonders. Resting your body in other ways, like not exercising if you’ve been going hard on the workouts at home, can help your muscles recover and feel fresh when you pick things back up again.
In conclusion, although it’s a wonderful time to think about and focus on your health and wellness, having fun is undoubtedly the most important component of any vacation. Make an effort, even if it means letting go of any rigidity you may have around your food or exercise routine. Having fun is a practice that promotes health and may (and should) be a component of any wellness strategy, just like eating well, exercising frequently, and getting enough sleep.
