Balancing Health & Adventure: Navigating Wellness on Vacation

Vacation and traveling hold significant value in my life, ranking closely alongside my commitment to health and wellness. Yet, these two priorities can sometimes clash. Maintaining routines, meditation practices, supplement regimens, clean eating habits, and consistent sleep schedules can become challenging when on the road. The allure of exploration, indulgence, and adventure often competes with these wellness goals. In light of this, I'll share my strategies for striking a balance between enjoying vacations and upholding my health and wellness principles.

To begin, prioritize walking during your travels. I tend to choose destinations where walking is convenient and enjoyable. While on vacation, I make a conscious effort to walk as much as possible. Walking allows you to immerse yourself in the surroundings of the city, town, or village you're exploring, providing a firsthand experience of the local culture. Moreover, doing this ensures I incorporate exercise and movement into my vacation routine. I particularly enjoy walks after indulging in delicious meals, knowing it helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Then, prioritize early mornings or late nights and incorporate naps into your schedule. Sleep remains a top priority for me, so I strive to maintain 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If I stay up late, I allow myself to sleep in the next day to ensure I get enough rest. Similarly, if I have early morning plans, I aim to go to bed early enough to achieve a full night's sleep. Additionally, napping is an essential part of my vacation routine. While I typically don't nap outside of my menstrual phase, I indulge in daytime naps while on vacation. Consistent downtime to relax and recharge, especially during busy periods, can be just as beneficial as a full night's sleep.

Vegetables are a non-negotiable for me when dining out. I always make sure to include a side salad or roasted veggies with my meal. Bonus points if I can enjoy the veggies before indulging in bread or chips. Whether I'm ordering pizza, pasta, wine, or dessert, having veggies and going for a walk afterward gives me peace of mind, knowing that I've nourished my body while still indulging in delicious treats.

Unplug from your phone. One of the greatest advantages of vacation is the opportunity to step away from your daily routine and endless scrolling. While you may not be meditating, journaling, or practicing breathwork, you can still prioritize your mental health while on vacation. Prioritizing your mental health is just as crucial as your physical well-being, and vacation provides an excellent chance to hit the reset button.

Finally, returning home! Integrating healthy and robust habits into your lifestyle and identity makes returning home much smoother. You won't have to fret about falling out of your workout routine, dietary habits, or stress management techniques because they are ingrained in your being. Rather than worrying about all the “damage” you did on vacation, focus on the unique opportunity you have to refocus, reset, and challenge yourself. One of my goals with clients is to get them to see how they are already healthy and to build that strong foundation. This way, when occasions like vacations or travel arise, they already have habits and routines in place to effortlessly resume when life returns to its regular rhythm. When you start seeing yourself as a healthy individual, slipping back into these routines becomes effortless, allowing you to quickly pick up where you left off.

With support,
Isabella