As we’re about mid-way through the summer holidays it’s good to keep check on how were doing with our health and fitness. Many of us look at the summer holidays as a time to kick back, relax, and forget about the routines we have for the rest of the year. That much-needed approach might be okay for our work routines, but when it comes to our health it’s best to carry that lifestyle throughout the year…even when it comes to holidays.
So how do we ensure that we’re still getting that much needed mental, and maybe physical (and sunny!), break the holidays and travel bring, but still maintain the activity level we’ve worked so hard the rest of the year to achieve? Well, it might not be as difficult as it seems, but instead of giving you a long list of things to remember on your hols, we’ve narrowed it down to the four easiest categories to think about; so you can remain fit, happy, and healthy until your everyday routine returns.
- Diet – It doesn’t have to be difficult to eat healthy when you’re travelling. It just takes a bit of planning.
– Eat before the airport.
– Pack healthy snacks – you’ll not only save money…you’ll know what’s in your food.
– Visit local food markets. This is a great way to eat and support local as well as getting fresh produce.
– Make your own meals. Find fresh, local ingredients and make a healthy meal.
– Beware of too much booze. Many people associate holidays with a lot of booze, but beware…alcohol is high in both sugar and
calories. If you need a stiff drink (and sometimes you might do!) try some “healthier” options, such as a spirit with soda water and
a slice of lime or maybe a glass of red wine.
- Exercise – Taking a break from routine can also mean taking a break from your usual fitness activity. If you normally swim, try taking a jog to check out the local sights and explore the place you’re visiting.
– If running isn’t your thing an adventurous walk through a city or along the beach is great, too.
– You can also always take the stairs – it all adds up in the end!
– Take a look at race calendars for the place you’re visiting. Integrate a fun, local 5K, triathlon, cycle, or yoga gathering into your
trip.
- Accommodation – When we don’t have access to our local gym or park it can sometimes seem a bit daunting on how we keep up our routine. Think about the following when you’re booking your holiday accommodation:
– Stay someplace with a gym or access to a fitness centre.
– Stick with self-catering or a hotel room with a kitchenette. This makes planning your meals easier and healthier.
– Ask your hotel concierge to suggest local walking or jogging trails/routes.
- Relaxation – In our opinion, this is the most important aspect of the holiday. We all need a break once in a while. We need to get perspective, feel invigorated, and energised upon our return, so a good way to do this is by:
– Putting the smart phone away.
– Not checking emails and taking work calls.
– Being mindful and thankful…You’re on holiday! Life is short. Don’t think about tomorrow or next week…Enjoy each moment of
every day.
Hopefully you’ll find some gems of advice in the list above on how to stay healthy and happy on your summer holidays. We hope you’re all having a wonderful August and we’ll look forward to catching up with you all soon!
