HealthyBea

How to Maintain Health on Holiday

I am the type of human who needs a schedule. In order to accomplish maximum productivity, I need to know what is happening at every moment of the day, so that I can plan each next step. I sound super fun to be around, aye? My friends and family are very patient in case you are wondering/worrying…I am lucky to be surrounded by those who allow me to either plan everything or ask a million questions about their plans for us. I love you guys! But I am not writing this post to compliment you, so swiftly moving on. 

I am writing to my readers today because I know that even if you’re not exactly like me, holidays (or vacations for my US people) can be exhausting, and leave you more drained physically and mentally after your suitcases are unpacked. I have been there. I will never forget the Spring Break trip to New Orleans with my NYC girls when I so naively believed that because I take such good care of my body normally, I could stay up at all hours, eat and drink whatever I wanted, and still go for a refreshing morning run through the beautifully peaceful Audubon Park. Oh how I was mistaken. I forced myself so far from my normal routine that I felt horrible every day. I was feasting on fried chicken and pancakes for breakfast, po-boys for lunch, fried alligator and crawfish etouffee for dinner, and bananas foster or beignets for dessert. Not to mention all of the drinks on Bourbon Street and at jazz bars to top it off. 

Please don’t take this as a jab at New Orleans. New Orleans is incredible. It is filled with rich history and culture and I would recommend it to anyone to check out one day. My point is that I didn’t do it right. I couldn’t give the city the respect it deserved because I wasn’t giving my body the respect it needed. For better or worse, these two elements are not mutually exclusive in my world. I need to feel physically and mentally well to appreciate my experiences. 

Amazing lesson, though! I am so happy I discovered early on how I need to navigate traveling. You know, unless I purposefully want to make myself miserable. I would love to help you avoid similar mistakes, so here are some helpful guidelines I recommend you consider during your upcoming holidays:

1. Sleep: Try to start your trip with enough sleep. That means taking the earlier evening flight, or ensuring you can sleep in the next day. Seriously, starting off my trips on the right note from a rest perspective puts me in a completely different mindset knowing that I won’t be able to control every decision moving forward. I need to make sure that I am making the healthiest decisions for myself so that I am prepared for, and can embrace the spontaneous moments. I inevitably get less rest on holiday because it’s harder to sleep in a new place, there is lots of activity packed into a day, adapting to someone else’s schedule is tricky, and eating/drinking routines aren’t perfect. So, if there is ever a night or morning where you can opt for more sleep, take it! Not only will you feel better, but you will be able to enjoy the moments in which you do take part much more. 
2. Food/Beverages: I am not saying these eating habits are what anyone else needs to practice, but I am saying that they work for me, so it might be worth implementing into your next vacation.
   1. Food:
      1. While on holiday, I love starting my day with protein and fruit. Vegetables and healthy fats are great additions, but not entirely necessary for me, and they aren’t always easily accessible. I try to avoid carbs, especially white, and any processed or sugary food. They might taste delicious and look spectacular, but they may result in you crashing shortly after and seeking more of the same type of unsustaining food. It’s more important to fuel yourself the right way when traveling as your brain and body need fuel to make the best decisions and embrace your day to the fullest.
      2. If I start with protein and fruit, I know that I can opt for more carbs and find some vegetables later on in the day. I think of it as my stable foundation on which to build during the day. If I want sweets, I will go for it in the afternoon or evening when I’ve fueled myself with two energy and nutrient-rich meals. I always enjoy it more and eat less, so it doesn’t result in an energy crash a couple of hours later. 
      3. You’re on vacation and definitely shouldn’t be afraid to indulge a little more than you normally would, but consider to yourself if it’s worth it to pair your fried chicken sandwich and fries with a 3rd cocktail, followed by chocolate cake. It might! Maybe you walked all day and really feel like that particular meal could benefit you. Or, you might feel the need for something a bit lighter to maintain your mental and physical health that evening.
      4. Find some sort of vegetables everyday.
   2. Beverages:
      1. Drink water! Do not let yourself get dehydrated. Enough said. 
      2. I love indulging in wine while on holiday! It’s so much fun to try a local option, and end a day over a glass (or two or three). BUT I really do try to balance out the amount of indulgence, considering how it will make me feel physically. I am probably not going to consume three glasses of wine with a greasy, carb heavy meal because I know my body won’t be able to handle it. However, I will take three glasses of wine with a nice piece of fish, some vegetables, and potatoes. 
      3. Notice that this section is labeled “beverages” because I think it’s important to consider every drink one consumes during the day. Alcohol isn’t the only concern! Think about the sugar-heavy soft drinks, oat milk lattes, and fruit juices. Your body knows it adds up, even if your mind isn’t keeping track. Don’t drive yourself crazy plotting what you can and cannot drink, but do consider moderation.
3. Movement: 
   1. This one is very dependent upon the reader. Obviously we should all move everyday, but the degree to which you need to on holiday is tied to how much you’re used to working your body. Because my body is used to regular movement, I try to replicate that in some way while on holiday. I might not get an hour gym workout in, but I will try to go for a 30 minute run outside. Lifting weights might not be an option, but I will try to implement some body weight or light weight pilate exercise. 
   2. My body and mind need a bit of stimulus in the morning, so I turn to movement to replicate some form of normality. It also helps regulate the heavier, or less nutritious meals I am eating. 
   3. Use your hotel gym, local park, or airbnb living room to move your body in a way that brings you peace and gets the juices moving before a new day of exploring! 
   4. Alternatively, or additionally, find a more strenuous activity for the day, or a portion of it. Go skiing, scuba diving, hiking, swimming, biking. Whatever makes sense for you! 
   5. Walk when you can instead of taking transportation, duh.
4. Mindfulness:
   1. There are an infinite amount of ways to use your mind while on holiday. I am not saying work during your holiday because your brain probably needs a break from your typical daily thoughts. Instead, pick up a book, read the news, read some poetry, listen to a podcast, pick up a local magazine, see a show, go to a concert, pray, meditate, go to church.
   2. Whatever speaks to you, make sure you find time to slow down, reflect, and challenge the thoughts and stresses of your usual life. How else are you going to come back from your holiday rested, peaceful, and happy? 

To sum it all up, do take advantage of your holiday to explore, relax, and make exceptions to your normal daily routine. Don’t take it so far as to prevent yourself from truly enjoying every experience and feeling better when you return. Enjoy and be mindful – easy as that ❤

All my best,

Bea