Ahh, summertime. A time for barbecues, getting together with friends, celebrating and, if we’re lucky, family vacation. Vacationing can soothe the mind and soul, and stimulate the senses; it is, however, often hard on the body. In order to minimize the adverse effects of vacation on your body, we’re going to look at three categories: eating healthy, gamifying exercise, and preparing for your environment.

Tip 1: Eat Healthy

This first tip is certainly easier said than done. We’re going to want to taste the cuisine of our new locale on vacation, especially if we’re going somewhere a bit exotic. One great tip is not to feel obligated to eat a whole portion size in one go; eat slowly, and if you feel you’ve hit your fill, ask to take away the rest of the food. Don’t be shy if you do this even in the fanciest of restaurants; you’re paying for service, and they’ll be more than willing to accomodate you. Try to pick healthier food items on the menu, and keep any dietary concerns you may have in mind when selecting your food; don’t be afraid to ask if you have any questions about the ingredients your food contains! The last tip is that while it’s nice to indulge in a dessert here or there on your vacation, try to limit sweet treats to one per day. You don’t want to spend your vacation feeling so bloated that you can’t enjoy sightseeing anyway, so moderation is key here!

Tip 2: Gamify Exercise

Nerdfitness has a great tip on how you can stay healthy during your vacation; gamify your exercise! It’s easy to fall out of a fitness routine when we’re on vacation; we want to be out having fun, not pumping iron or sweating on a treadmill. That said, once you fall out of an exercise routine, it can be hard to get back in the game; the simple solution is to play a game! Whenever you do something that’s less-than-healthy, compensate with a bit of physical exercise. One recommendation at Nerdfitness is to do ten push-ups for every alcoholic drink, but so long as you can incorporate body weight exercises into your routine, you can adjust accordingly! For example, you can make sure to walk a mile for every sugary treat you eat.

Tip 3: Prepare for your Environment

This one makes a whole lot of common sense, but can be overlooked. When you go to a destination with foreign communicable diseases, it can be a good idea to vaccinate yourself against those diseases. When you know you’re going to a sunny destination, make sure to pack sunscreen; if you expect a lot of rain, don’t walk outside without an umbrella. Simple steps to integrate yourself with your environment can be a huge boon to the savvy vacationer.

For more tips on how to maintain a holistic approach to healthy living on vacation, get in touch with us at Imagine Wellness, the best holistic medicine centre for your vacationing needs.