Summer is the perfect time for a vacation! Whether you’re traveling with your family, with your friends, or on your own, a summer vacation is a great opportunity to take some extra time for your health and wellness…..But that’s not always the easiest thing to do! Lack of structured daily schedules, lots of delicious and tempting food and drinks, and the idea of being “on vacation” can set you up for an overindulgent and gluttonous trip, leaving you feeling tired, bloated, and defeated when you return home.
Take some tips from our trainers to keep your health and wellness on track and still enjoy the freedom and fun on your summer vacation!
Staying hydrated is probably the easiest and most obvious tip. Long flights or car rides, hot weather, and late nights out on the town are the perfect combination for dehydration. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere and refill it often! Not only will this help to keep you hydrated, it will also help to avoid overeating at meal time.
While we are on the topic of eating, vacation is a time to enjoy some foods and drinks that we don’t normally eat. But indulging in heavy, rich, hard to digest foods and washing it all down with a few glasses of wine or mimosas at every meal will leave you feeling like that bloated jellyfish that just washed up on the beach! Pick and choose wisely the meals that offer enticing splurge items, and allow the other meals to remain clean and healthy. Also don’t forget to pack some healthy snacks for your vacation. Things that are easy to throw in your travel bag will be greatly appreciated when your stomach starts rumbling in the middle of the afternoon….or in the middle of the airport where you are surrounded by unhealthy (and expensive) choices.
Booking a hotel with a fitness center or an Airbnb near a local studio will allow you the opportunity to conveniently fit in some of your regular fitness workouts while you’re away. Also take some time to check out alternative fitness options in the area—— maybe you could stop into a boutique fitness studio and try a barre or yoga class. And who doesn’t like to squeeze in a “date night” while vacationing? Why not plan your date night to include a workout followed up with a trip to the local healthy food hotspot?! You’re on vacation , so don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
In addition to seeking out fitness facilities in the area, you can also take the opportunity to explore the area on foot. Or schedule an excursion or activity that will allow you to walk throughout the day and easily log your 10,000 steps (or more!) each day.
After getting in a great workout or logging your 10,000 steps, spending some time in the hot summer sun, and enjoying some delicious local meals, you should be tired at the end of the day. Allow your body to catch up on those zzzz’s that you might be missing at home. Don’t be afraid to go to bed early or let yourself sleep in, so that you will be energized and ready to enjoy each day of your summer vacay.
Enjoy your summer vacation—- you deserve it! Use some of these tips to stay healthy along the way, so that you feel rested and rejuvenated when you return home. Happy summer!