How to Have a Healthy Holiday

Getting the chance to go on vacation with your family is an opportunity that should never be missed, as it’s great to explore the world with your nearest and dearest by your side. However, far too many people use holidays as an excuse to throw every ounce of restraint out of the window, overindulging in several different ways that can have a real negative impact on your wellbeing. Luckily, learning how to have a healthy vacation needn’t be as difficult as you might expect, as there are just a few simple tips and tricks that you can make the most of to plan a holiday that doesn’t leave you feeling like rubbish!

So, if you would like to find out more, then read on to uncover some of the best steps that you can follow today to organise the most perfect trip in no time at all.

How To Have A Healthy Holiday

Image Source – Pexels

Choose The Right Destination

One of the most important features of a healthy holiday is the location that you choose to visit. Opting for a big bustling city is likely the worst choice you can make, as the opportunity for organic food is slim whilst natural green spaces and opportunities for fresh air and exercise are nowhere to be seen. Instead, searching for a more rural town or village setting will encourage your vacation to be much more beneficial.

An area of outstanding natural beauty such as a lakeside retreat or a mountain lodge could be the ideal scenario, as you’ll be able to get physical by climbing or swimming whilst exploring your surroundings. Planning a long term trip can be a little more difficult, as you’ll likely be travelling from one location to another throughout your adventure. However, making the simple decision to avoid planes and other super speedy transport can make your trip more strenuous whilst reducing the amount of time you spend sitting still, encouraging you to keep burning fat rather than piling on the pounds. For example, planning a bicycle or motorcycle tour across Portugal will allow you to see the sights up close and personal, which is going to be a far better experience compared with a cramped coach tour or express train, so it’s a win win situation all around.

Make sure that you research the transport options that will be available in your chosen location, checking for things like bicycle hire to squeeze in a work out whilst you soak up the sun.

Check For Healthy Food Options

Turning up to your chosen destination after a long day of travelling with no set plan will likely cause you to drop into the nearest fast food joint for a quick bite to eat, and this trend can continue on for the rest of your holiday as you indulge in street food that you pass on your explorations and follow signs for recognisable chains to fill up on processed meals and snacks.

It’s so essential that you can check for healthy food options before you begin your journey to your holiday destination, as this way you will be able to identify the best spots for nutritious dishes that you can visit throughout your stay. You can search for organic grocery stores or farmers markets that stock lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as finding the best healthy restaurants that boast delicious local produce made without an excess of fat, salt and sugar.

No matter where you are in the world, there’s almost guaranteed to be a group of people who take their well being seriously – this means you’re more than likely to find a good restaurant that represents your views, whether this means selling exclusively organic foods or even totally plant based vegan dishes.

Searching on social media can be a brilliant way to locate quality grocery stores, food markets and restaurants!

Relaxation Doesn’t Equal Laziness

Far too many people see a holiday as an opportunity to do nothing more than lay around the pool, sipping drinks served straight to their sun lounger thinking of nothing else but what might be on her menu for dinner. Though a vacation should be a chance to relax away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, this can easily be taken too far, eventually translating to pure laziness. Spending your days confined to your hotel or resort is such a missed opportunity, as you won’t even get to see the unique architecture and culture of the local people, so don’t miss your chance to make the most of your adventure abroad.

Explore some well known walking or hiking routes that can give you a proper tour around your holiday destination, or rent out a kayak to paddle your way down a peaceful river to spot some local wildlife. Of course you can still relax by taking regular breaks to soak up the scenery and ambience, but simply getting away from your usual routine and surroundings should be enough to calm your nerves. If you want to have a day by the pool, rather than sitting at the side eating and drinking to your heart’s content, take the chance to have a dip and perform a few laps or lengths to burn a few calories. Swimming under the sun can also be a great way to soak up some vitamin D whilst increasing your hunger for whatever healthy snack or meal that you have planned, so don’t be afraid to dive in!

Having a healthy holiday has never been so simple when you can take the time to make the most of the brilliant ideas and tips that have been carefully described above. There’s truly no need to come back from your vacation feeling bloated and lethargic when you can return feeling reinvigorated and renewed, so make the most of the steps detailed above to organise the best holiday ever. Start by choosing the most suitable location for your adventure, perhaps a rural setting surrounded by nature, and always search for healthy food stores and restaurants that are nearby.

About Simon Petersen 506 Articles
Travel blogger, journalist, sports and movie fiend. Chronicling the life and times of a Kiwi at home and abroad.