The annual trip to the sun can be our biggest chance to relax and unwind, but you might be anxious about keeping new habits on track and staying healthy on holiday.
Wanting to get your money’s worth from the all-inclusive bar or the buffet restaurant can be a strong temptation — and there are also warmer temperatures and the change in routine.
Here are our top tips for a happy and healthy holiday:
Stay hydrated
Travelling by aeroplane can be dehydrating, especially on longer flights. Spending time in the sun is obviously also a dehydration risk, and alcoholic drinks can add to the problem.
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and soft drinks — ideally carrying a bottle with you. Being well-hydrated will help keep your energy levels up and your body functioning properly.
Maintain a balanced diet
It’s very likely that you will eat more than normal while on holiday, and that’s totally fine. There’s certainly no need to be counting calories at the buffet table.
Enjoy sampling the local cuisine, but try to remember the principles of the Eatwell Guide — and stick to a broadly balanced diet, including plenty of fruit, vegetables and lean proteins.
Don’t fill up on bread along with your meal. Consider having rice instead of chips, and grilled meat or fish instead of fried.
Stay active
We love lazing on a sun lounger as much as the next person, but it’s important to plan some physical activity into your holiday.
Whether it’s exploring the neighbourhood on foot, trying new sports or hiring a bike to venture further afield, getting a bit of exercise into your holiday can make it more fun and memorable.
And if you have access to a swimming pool, why not make a habit of doing 10 lengths at a certain time every day?
Don’t drink every day
It can be easy to fall into a routine of having a beer or cocktail in the afternoon, then more with dinner and throughout the evening.
But having a few days off the booze will help you feel fresher, sleep better and possibly have more fun. Soft drinks, low-alcohol options and mocktails are all great choices — and are often lower in calories than booze as well.
Wear sunscreen
If you are on holiday in the sun, choose and buy your sunscreen in advance and apply it liberally to protect your skin from sun damage.
Wear a hat and stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Sunburn can ruin a holiday, and long-term exposure increases the risk of skin cancer.
Choose wisely
Think about what kind of holiday would work for your lifestyle goals before you book.
Do you really need the all-inclusive option? Could you save money and stick to your new habits more easily on a self-catering holiday? Would an activity-based holiday make a welcome change from sun loungers around the pool every day?
But above all, relax, unwind, enjoy yourself and don’t worry if you do over-indulge a little — the important thing is to think about your choices, don’t give up and regain your focus afterwards.
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