Swimming with questionably tame sharks, diving off a mountainous cliff, jumping wakes with jet skis. You’re on vacation – and likely by the beach, pool, or lake. It’s time to throw caution to the wind, right?
If that’s what you want to do, then go right ahead! (You thought I was going to say “wrong,” didn’t you?) Vacation isn’t the time for you to deprive yourself of small joys or new experiences. You deserve them.
While any rest and relaxation is a warm welcome, there are certain activities and choices that can help squeeze the most out of some well-deserved time off while still working towards building healthier habits.
Ditch the Beach Chair
You’ve finally made it to the beach or lake, and you’re ready to plant your chair, kick back, and dig your toes into the sand. But there’s plenty of ways to stay active and still enjoy all the sights and sounds experienced from a beach chair.
Unless you’re privy to a private beach or own some lake-front property, a quick jaunt in dry, loose sand provides a rare physical activity opportunity for you to take advantage of. Studies show that running in sand requires more mechanical work and energy than running on concrete, meaning you can work less used muscles and hit your exercise goals faster by running in sand.
But sand can feel more like hot coals if the sun’s out, so a dip in the water might be best. Wading has its benefits, but swimming increases bone mass and reduces inflammation. And those partaking in vigorous aerobic exercise, like swimming, see a 25 percent decrease in anxiety and depression.
Staying active on vacation may not be your utmost concern, but some added physical activity helps keep you on track and balances out the occasional indulgences in other areas of your time off.
Don’t Go Overboard on Meals
Contrary to popular belief, what you eat on vacation does count and can leave you with some souvenirs you didn’t intend on bringing home from your trip.
A TripAdvisor survey found that 29 percent of vacation goers gained weight from an overabundance of food and beverage temptations. While that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy some treats on vacation, you may look to make up for those added calories elsewhere.
Overeating on vacation can leave you feeling sluggish once you return home and make the transition back into work routines much more difficult than they need to be. Find balance by substituting healthier eating options for regular meals. A salad for dinner will go a long way once you opt for that late night ice cream run with the family.
Take Control of the Ship
Spending time with family and friends is at the heart of any vacation. Building relationships, taking time to relax, and enjoying the activities you choose to do show the highest return on recharging your well-being long after vacation ends.
Taking time off drives a better outlook on life, and makes people more motivated to achieve their goals. This would explain why vacationers experience an 82 percent increase in job performance, as reported by Bloomberg Business.
What matters most – both personally and professionally – is that you enjoy your vacation and use it as an opportunity to relax and recharge in whatever way works best for you. And if that means going snorkeling with sharks, then dive right in. It all sounds so simple sometimes.
Looking for more ways to help employees make the most of their time off? Read our survey to learn more about how relaxing and recharging helps drives productivity.
This article originally appeared on: The Uprising Blog
