It’s been somewhat of a strange year so far with the majority of us barely managing to leave our own postcode thanks to widespread lockdowns let alone going on an actual holiday. Finally we were given some reprieve and we certainly didn’t waste any time to take advantage of the easing restrictions. We packed the car and hit the road for a mini road trip to some regional NSW towns.
Holidays are undoubtedly a time to relax, but in my family holidays are about adventures, activities and exploring new places. The key is finding a good balance so that you don’t get back from your holiday feeling like you need a holiday!!
Here are a few of my healthy holidays habits that I try and incorporate into my day no matter where in the world I may be
- MOVE in some way every day. Walking is my thing on holidays. Exploring new towns on foot is easily the best way to see the sights and I’m always up for finding a cool trail walk or scenic hike. Walking is the most simple form of functional exercise that you can do and it serves as a fantastic active recovery. Another alternative is cycling, it’s pretty much the norm now for cities to have regularly accessible bike rentals and easy to navigate cycle paths. A much more interesting way to get around than sitting in the back of a taxi if you ask me.
- Pack your TRIGGER BALL. I always have one in my handbag when I head away so it’s accessible at all times. Whether it’s a road trip or long flight those hours spent sitting are the perfect opportunity to do a little trigger ball massage on some of the key areas that store tension. Put it between your shoulder blades to get into the upper back, sit on it to release your glutes and hamstrings or take off your shoes and roll out your feet (this is particularly satisfying if you have been doing lots of extra walking!!)
- SLEEP. Holidays are the ideal time to try and repay some of your sleep debt. So many of us are guilty of letting busy schedules cut into a healthy sleep routine and gradually it can creep up on you. Think of it this way; if you miss an hour of sleep every night for a week, you will be almost a full night behind on sleep which can have huge affects on your physical and mental state. You can repay some of this back to your body by getting a little extra sleep each night, it really is the ultimate recovery tool.
- Stay HYDRATED. It’s so easy to forget to drink water, especially if you are travelling to areas where you have to buy it in a bottle. Adequate water intake is necessary for so many processes in the body from keeping your skin healthy, to waste removal, muscle recovery and brain function. Holidays are definitely littered with extra indulgences such as alcohol, desserts and other delicious treats, making hydration even more of a necessity to help your body rest and digest.
Not everyone likes to be on the go as much as me so the most important thing is to do what makes you happiest!