Vacation Indulgences
Earlier this summer, I blogged and shared a video link to my conversation with Cheryl Miller at Virginia This Morning from a while back where we discussed tips for low stress travel. One of the points we chatted about was overindulgence. It’s so tempting to dive in head first to all the indulgences while traveling! Here are a few thoughts from that conversation:
Alcohol
Feeling the desire to overindulge on vacation is common and understandable. Vacations are a time to relax, unwind, and break away from the daily routines and responsibilities. While an extra cocktail might add to the fun, overindulging on alcohol while on vacation can potentially lead to an increase in stress and decreased enjoyment. If you drink to excess to the point where it disrupts the next day, causing you to miss out on planned activities or fail to engage with your travel companions, they’ll likely be upset and disappointed that you chose to participate in one part of the vacation (drinking) but not another (e.g., a morning bike ride to a scenic spot). If you’re not participating or fully present for your family or travel companions, that may lead to hurt feelings, frustrations, arguments, and overall more stress and less relaxation.
Tips:
Set expectations: Think ahead about how much you’d like to consume in given situations, and what your partner and traveling companions expect of you. Talk openly about your plans and ask for help in setting limits if you need them.
Moderation: Allow yourself to indulge in some treats, but practice moderation. Enjoy that special cocktail, but don't overdo it. Remember, it's about savoring the experience rather than overindulging to the point of discomfort.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you're consuming alcohol or spending time in the sun. Staying hydrated helps you feel better and can prevent overconsuming. A good rule of thumb is to drink a full glass of water between each alcoholic beverage.
Take time to relax: Vacations are meant to be a time to unwind and de-stress. Find ways to relax and enjoy the moment without relying solely on excessive indulgence.
Food
Travel allows us to experience new and different cuisines, and we often eat out in restaurants far more on vacation than we do at home. Restaurants are designed to offer us more food than we normally eat in a meal, both in courses and in portion sizes, and it’s easy to eat too much! One of the downsides of this is that after an overly large meal, laden with more fat, sugar and salt than we normally consume, we’re likely to feel tired and bloated and totally uninterested in doing much afterward. This cuts hours of time out of your day when you might otherwise be active with an after-dinner round of mini-golf or sunset stroll on the beach. This can cause friction especially when not everyone in your travel group has the same expectations of meals and after-meal activities. Further, overeating on vacation can lead to significant stress on return as you struggle to get back into healthy routines.
Tips:
Try local cuisine: One of the joys of traveling is experiencing different cultures through their food. Enjoy the local cuisine, but also seek out healthy and fresh options that are unique to the region.
Don’t be swayed into finishing everything on your plate, just because it is expensive. You’re paying the price of being in a restaurant and in a special location.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body's signals of hunger and fullness. Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're satisfied, not stuffed.
Avoid overeating due to "vacation mentality": Sometimes, people use the excuse of being on vacation to eat excessively. Remind yourself that it's okay to enjoy treats, but it's not an excuse to abandon all healthy habits.
Balance your meals: If you have a big indulgent dinner planned, opt for lighter, healthier options for other meals during the day.
Rest
This might be the most controversial topic that I talk about with people regarding vacations. I’m going to tell you here that the science supports both rest and exercise on your vacation and you should make time for both. It’s incredibly important to take time to get some extra rest and sleep when you’re away from your normal daily stresses. If you’re spending vacation time on active pursuits that you aren’t used to, your body will need additional time to recover. Rest is important and you’ll find many blogs about the importance of sleep in my archives!! BUT you’ll also find that a vacation that includes excitement and challenge will be more memorable, more fun, and more beneficial to your overall wellbeing than one that doesn’t challenge you at all. Check this blog I wrote recently about the fun of stress!
Here are some tips to help you enjoy your vacation while avoiding excessive overindulgence:
Tips:
Try not to sleep more than an hour or so past your normal wake-up time, to avoid jet-lag upon your return. Instead, take advantage of vacation life to get to bed an hour earlier, grab a 30-minute nap during the day, and practice some new sleep hygiene habits- like taking a vacation from bedtime phone use.
Stay active: Incorporate physical activities into your vacation, such as walking, hiking, swimming, or exploring the local sights. Staying active can help offset some of the indulgences and make you feel better overall.
Plan active excursions: Choose activities that involve movement and exploration, like sightseeing tours, bike rides, or water sports.
If you’re normally sedentary, all these active excursions may wear you out more than expected. Intersperse activity with rest so that you have stamina for every day of the vacation.
Reflect on your goals: If you have specific health or fitness goals, remind yourself of them during your vacation. This can help you make mindful choices.
Enjoy!
The allure of indulging in delicious food, drinks, and leisure activities can be very tempting. However, it's essential to find a balance that allows you to enjoy your vacation while still taking care of your well-being. Remember, vacations are a time to enjoy yourself and make lasting memories. Finding a balance between indulgence and maintaining healthy habits will help you make the most of your vacation without feeling guilty or compromising your well-being.
Want to talk more about how to manage your stress and balance long-term goals with short-term fun? Check out my coaching packages and schedule a free consultation!
