Going on vacation is always so much fun. Whether you are relaxing on the beach or skiing down a mountain, you can keep these tips in mind to stay healthy-ish while on vacation. For me, actually being healthy influences the way I feel. I recently took a trip to Panama and, while my sisters took pictures on the beach, I was hiding behind trees because I just did not feel beautiful; in fact, I felt unhealthy. That is how this article idea popped into my head, and I started to implement these little changes into my vacation, which made my body-image anxiety alleviate a little bit. Additionally, all of the tips that I am providing come from personal experience and have not been backed by any doctor. If you're thinking about making any drastic changes in your life, contact your doctor right away.
Tip #1: Pay attention to the food you're about to put into your mouth
I found this to be interesting because while on vacation, I put everything into my mouth! I basically ate my way through the first part of the vacation. First and foremost, it's important to not deprive yourself of any food you love or the amazing cuisine that different places have to offer. My tip would be to follow the guidelines of eating intuitively. Eat all of the things you love but be aware that you are putting them into your body. I promise you the first bite of the chocolate cake will taste the same as the rest of the chocolate cake. Additionally, healthy food can be yummy as well. While in Panama, I was able to indulge in some lovely fruits that were not in season here in the United States.
Tip #2: Exercise
This tip seems like common sense, but even implementing little changes to your daily routine can make a noticeable difference. On my vacation, I did this by taking the stairs whenever I had the chance, instead of taking the elevator or escalator. Additionally, and I know it sounds cliche, but taking longs walks on the beach is actually a really good way to get your steps in. You can also take the more traditional route and head over to the gym (the bar will still have pina coladas half an hour later). Finally, on my vacation, we chose to add excursions like hiking to our itinerary, which made it really easy to be active and to also have lots of fun seeing the beautiful sights that Panama has to offer.
And last but not least....
Tip #3: Just Have Fun! (because, after all, you are on vacation!)
While I did not completely enjoy being photographed on the beach, I had an amazing time just being with family and enjoying all that Panama has to offer. So yes, keep my tips in mind but remember that the way you feel is most important, not the way you look! So, aspire to wake up every day and feel motivated to enjoy your vacation to the fullest extent!
*This is actually a picture that I took on one of the beaches in Panama*