If there's one thing that many people look forward to during a year of hard work and a constant busy lifestyle, it's a relaxing vacation. Vacation, is the one thing that keeps many of us sane while going through the year- it's something to look forward to. A week of rest and rejuvenation is the best thing for your mental health, if you suffer from work related anxiety- a vacation might be just what you need.
Now when relaxing on vacation, you tend to be a little less conscious of what you eat, working out and just being active on a whole. If you're anything like me, you try to workout every single day of the trip but sometimes it doesn't quite work out that way. On a recent vacation, I let myself relax quite a bit. I worked out once for the entire nine days that I was away and honestly, I just really felt for a good workout coming down to the end of my trip. While reflecting on my trip, I realized that my body and mind really needed the rest.
We put so much strain on our bodies three to six days a week all year round that we sometimes think that this is the norm. What we need to remember is our bodies really need rest and sometimes, one day off during the week isn't going to do that for us.
Let's not take this as an open invitation to eat a bunch of unhealthy foods and lay on the couch for a week; but it's a week to let your body get the rest it needs. Instead of going to the gym every day, try finding active ways to experience the country your visiting. If you've just taken a week off at home, take the time to enjoy activities in your home country. These are things you may not have the time to do on a normal day but can still bring some activity into your days while having a fun and relaxing vacation.
While on vacation, seeing the country that your visiting really is the main priority. You try to experience as much as you possibly can in a short space of time. Well, instead of taking a taxi or renting a vehicle for the week walk or even rent a bike. This way you'll get to experience the country you're in while simultaneously getting some exercise.
Choosing what you eat is always an issue on vacation. Persons tend to let go and just eat whatever comes their way. While there's nothing wrong with that, not all food on vacation has to be extremely unhealthy and fattening. Healthier, nutrient rich options can taste just as good or even better than most of the choices on the menu. For example, on my recent trip, a couple friends and myself went to a really nice restaurant. While they ordered steak and tacos, I chose a tofu bowl that was filled with healthy and yummy ingredients. The bowl contained; stir-fried sesame tofu, avocado chunks, edamame, green peppers, mixed vegetables and was served on jasmine rice. BEST DINNER EVER. While it may not have had a low fat content, each ingredient provided a certain amount of nutrients to meet my daily requirements.
If you have an upcoming vacation and you're not trying come back with a little extra baggage, here are some tips to consider:
Resist the urge to overindulge, eat when you're hungry and stop when you're comfortable.
Have food your way, play around with the menu and swap meal ingredients for healthier options
Moderation is key, you're on vacation don't deprive yourself. Just remember not to go overboard.
Walking is your secret weapon! The best way to experience a new country is to get outdoors and go see it.
Take time to have fruits and vegetables with your meal. This should provide your body with enough fiber to keep you regular and will keep antioxidant and vitamin levels high, which makes you less likely to get sick.