5 Tweaks to Help You Recharge While on Holiday

Photo Courtesy of Stockllane

You switch off your laptop, breathe a sigh of relief and revel in the moment.  You have the next week or two or three off and your priority is to rest and restore.  Rather than go crazy with a rigid checklist of must-do activities or plan Instagram’s vision of a perfect holiday, give these 5 tweaks a try to get the most out of your time off.

Hydration

You’ve arrived at your destination, kicked off your shoes, and have your favorite cocktail in your hand as you watch the sunset from a cozy chair on the terrace.  It sounds like heaven.  Before you drink too much alcohol, or if you do, be mindful of staying properly hydrated.  Water helps to keep our bodies in good running condition by repairing our cells while we rest.  It flushes out toxins while keeping “good stuff” like nutrients moving around to where they need to get to in our bodies.  Sufficient daily water intake, either through water or foods, is thought to impact:

        💧 Our mood

        💧Our ability to think clearly/be productive

        💧Physical performance

        💧 Improved Digestion 

For ideas on how to add extra hydration to your day when water sounds a little, well boring, watch this Idea Pin here. 

Calming Your Mind

Transitioning from “work mode” to “rest and recharge mode” may take a few days.  You can help this transition by turning off digital distractions such as notifications or better yet, turning off your phone altogether before you arrive at your destination.  If you struggle with leaving your phone behind, consider giving yourself permission to go offline.   Agree with colleagues and/or clients before you leave that you won’t be checking your emails.  If absolutely necessary, check for emergency calls once a day.  Find a close friend and share your intentions with her, it will help firm up the commitment you’ve made with yourself.

Mindful Movement

Most of us know that easy activities such as walking improve our heart health. 

When we feel exhausted that can be our body’s way of signaling, hey, it’s time to slow down.  Even if you don’t have a physical job, too much stress can make us feel weak.  Keep tuned into what your body may be telling you.  Instead of feeling pressure to put in high-energy workouts, try some gentle stretching or a slow easy walk.  Or engage in a creative activity like art that helps keep your mind in the moment. 

Learn to Say No

Traveling with friends and/or family is a lovely time to connect and deepen relationships.  There’s joy in creating memories together that nourish your soul.  However, there may be moments when you’re just not into activities like bungee jumping.  There will be times when the family is all geared up to go parasailing when all you want to do is read a book by the pool.  It’s a good idea to work these potential conflicts out before you go on holiday.  Respect each other’s wishes for some downtime by switching off between quiet and active days.

Reflect on Your Accomplishments

The end of the year isn’t the only time to reflect on and celebrate your accomplishments.  Time off from work is the ideal moment to acknowledge your gratitude for what you’ve accomplished and be proud of it.  If expressing gratitude out loud or on paper makes you squirm, it may surprise you to know that gratitude has been linked to improved with improved sleep and better working relationships.

Wherever your travels may take you this summer, even if it’s only to the backyard or local park, I wish you a restful and restorative holiday.