Healthy (and realistic) Travel Habits
My family and I have been in California for the week to celebrate some birthdays and the holidays, so it’s a fun week filled with amazing food, good wine, and lot’s of family activities, all of which we absolutely indulge in. I also know that I mentally and physically feel my best when I have some form of routine and maintain some form of healthy habits, but without the feeling of restriction! I am a true believer that if it feels like restriction, it’s not sustainable and you need to find a better way. So, this week in California, I honed in on what habits feel easy to take with me and it boiled down to a few things:
Daily movement. Our bodies naturally want to move, and honestly, traveling with a toddler is non stop. I haven’t been doing my typical ‘workout routine,’ but daily walks, chasing Charlotte around the beach, and a few quick (and I mean like 15 minutes quick) body weight Pilates workouts do the trick for me. Don’t overthink it, just make sure your body is moving each day and call it good.
Protein and Fiber Focussed Meals. I cannot emphasize the ‘zero restriction’ mindset enough on this one. Control what you can, and let go of the rest. For me, I feel like breakfast and lunch are two areas that I can easily incorporate fruits, veggies, and protein, and then I’m truly not concerned about what the rest of the day brings. A quick trip t to the grocery store makes this significantly easier! Being intuitive here is key, eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full, and enjoy the time with family and friends.
Stay Hydrated! This is arguably the easiest habit to take with you wherever you go and has such a huge impact on so many aspects of your health. Staying hydrated improves your mood and mental clarity, digestion, and energy levels.
Mindful Practice. Nothing says family vacation like the need to take a step back for a few mindful moments. I’m only kind of kidding, family time is meant for making memories and spending time with loved ones and it can so quickly become overly busy and a bit chaotic. Take the 10 minutes, bring your meditation practice with you, listen to the ocean waves or get some fresh air. It’s free and your body and mind will thank you.
Last but not least (and most importantly), enjoy. Enjoy the traditions, the amazing food, the celebrations, and the time with family. These things are just as important to your multidimensional health!