It’s the middle of summer, which means millions of people will be going on vacation in the coming weeks. Now through Labor Day weekend, individuals, couples, and families will be venturing to new and favorite destinations for days of fun and relaxation. However, for almost everyone, one of the biggest challenges while on vacation is practicing healthy habits. Tropical drinks in souvenir cups, delicious fried appetizers, and endless opportunities to become sedentary are difficult to resist — to say the very least!
Join our Community of Peaceful Living Wellness Warriors
and receive a special free gift:
Our Top 5 Tips for Peaceful Living
But thankfully, you don’t have to feel deprived on your next vacation to stay healthy. Practicing healthy habits doesn’t mean denying yourself every tasty food or beverage item on the menu. And it certainly doesn’t mean waking up at 5am for your cruise ship’s sunrise cardio class (unless that’s your thing!).
Whether you’re heading to the Bahamas or going on a staycation, use these tips to achieve balance during your next trip.
Get that body moving!
Getting daily exercise during your vacation doesn’t have to feel like a chore! If you don’t enjoy going to the gym when at home, don’t make yourself miserable by doing so at your hotel. Instead, select activities that are fun and enjoyable — that also happen to incorporate movement. Whether you love hiking, playing volleyball (like I do!), walking along the beach, or swimming some laps, do what makes you happy. This is your vacation after all, right?!
A little activity each day will go a long way in helping moderate the mindless munching that most of us do while on vacation. It will also keep you focused on feeling your best. To make it even easier to stay active, book special excursions (e.g. surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, rock climbing) while planning your trip.
Harness the opportunity for extended self-care
Feel like you never have adequate time for self-care? Now is your chance to set aside time for yourself!
Plan as many days as you can to dedicate toward self-care. As you’ll remember from last month’s post, self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and pampering (although, those things are wonderful too!). Meaningful time spent on yourself involves protecting and recharging your energy, stepping away from your daily routine, setting healthy boundaries, and doing things that are life-giving. Going on a vacation is a perfect time to do all of these things. That’s why it is so important to plan days (or partial days) that are devoted exclusively to self-care activities.
Not sure what self-care activities to plan on your next trip? Some excellent ideas include turning off your cell phone, not checking work emails, planning thrilling adventures, taking a spa day, sitting by the lake or ocean, reading for pleasure, meditating in nature, or attending a yoga class. Vacations can also be a good time to reconnect with your spouse and kids!
Trade your digital devices for mindfulness
Have you ever been on vacation and noticed someone spending all of their time on their phone or tablet? Despite using their paid time off and hard-earned money to be on vacation, too many people forget to enjoy the sights and sounds that are right in front of them!
This shouldn’t come as a surprise since one of the biggest causes of past/future thinking is our digital devices. Meaning that your smartphone can pull you away from the present through the use of social media, news websites, games, email, and work-related apps. Because individuals also use their digital devices as a distraction or escape from everyday life, unplugging can become a major challenge.
Don’t let your vacation slip away from you! Instead, consciously limit the amount of time you spend on all of your digital devices. If your phone proves to be too much of a temptation, leave it at your hotel. Make it a goal to practice mindfulness so that you can fully immerse yourself in the experiences you have while on vacation.
Related Post: Harnessing The Life-Changing Benefits Of Self-Care: 5 Ways To Genuinely Recharge
Indulge in the delicious flavors of local foods and beverages
I always advocate for enjoying life in moderation. Labeling foods as “good” or “bad” is not only incorrect, but it also causes unnecessary feelings of shame and guilt. When you’re on vacation, it is perfectly fine to indulge! Enjoy yummy foods – just not all of them all the time – it’s all about balance. Eating healthy should not involve depriving yourself — especially while on vacation.
Make a plan in advance how much you plan to indulge. This will look different for everyone. For example, you can decide to eat healthy breakfasts and lunches, but allow yourself to eat what you’d like for dinner. What you choose to do should be right for your own goals and body. And there may be some days that you throw your plan out the window, just hopefully not every day.
…and be sure to keep all things in moderation to feel your absolute best!
Striving for balance in your healthy eating and indulgent treats will help you feel better — both physically and emotionally. Although it may be tempting to overdo it on sweet treats, cocktails, and fried foods, this way of eating (and drinking) will catch up with you. This is especially true if you normally eat a healthy diet. Prevent feelings of guilt, stomach aches, and hangovers by learning to enjoy everything in moderation. It’s all about sustainable balance!
Hit the snooze button
If it isn’t already part of your vacation-specific self-care plan, make sleep a priority during your time away. Getting proper rest is a fabulous way to recharge your body’s “batteries.” Research has even shown that consistently sleeping for seven to nine hours every evening can improve your physical and mental health. Skip the urge to wake up early and stay up super late. Hit that snooze button as many times as your heart desires! Better yet, don’t set an alarm at all – let your body determine how much sleep you need.
I hope that your vacation is even more enjoyable and replenishing after using the above tips. It isn’t every day that you get to step outside of the daily hustle and bustle, so make the most of every second!
DAWN MCGEE
Dawn McGee is a certified and licensed Nutrition Evangelist and a long-time foodie, she focuses on both the health and joy of food as fuel for your body. She is a driving force in bringing education on healthy eating to more people through her community, my “Reclaim Your Life, One Bite at a Time” programs, and my book “365 Days of Healthy Living”. Her hope for you is that you live a life you love, without being hungry, feeling deprived, or giving up your glass
