Springtime is upon us–a time of year when the weather is changing, the sun is out longer, and for many people, it’s a time to take a break from work or school! Whether you’re taking a spring break, a staycation, or a trip somewhere fun, it can be a great stress reliever. It can provide you with time to relax and come back to your daily routine feeling rejuvenated.
But oftentimes, a break from your normal routine can also lead to a break in your day-to-day healthy habits. These tips can help you stay healthy during your break:
- Avoid overindulging – When you’re on a break, it can be easy to stray from your healthy eating habits since you aren’t sticking to your everyday routine. Try to limit excess snacking and high-calorie meals–feeling stuffed can hamper your enjoyment of the trip, and you’ll want to stay feeling well so you can participate in all of the fun! But you don’t have to completely abstain from tasty treats–just remember to indulge in moderation.
- Get enough sleep – It’s important to get enough sleep during your break to help keep you feeling energized throughout the day. Getting proper sleep may also help prevent you from getting sick when you return back to work. Make it a priority to get to sleep at a reasonable time each night, or take advantage of mornings when you have extra time to sleep in!
- Find ways to fit in fitness – Take advantage of your time away from your desk and be active on your break! if you already have an exercise routine, see if you can stick with it, taking advantage of your hotel’s fitness center or pool. Or, switch it up and try something new! Play sports like beach volleyball with friends or family; go swimming, hiking, or dancing; or if you are traveling, explore the city you’re visiting by foot as much as possible. There are so many fun ways to stay active while you’re away from home!
- Take steps to reduce stress – Use your time away from work to relax and rejuvenate yourbody and mind. Participate in activities that interest you, like spending quality time with friends, enjoying a museum or concert, spending time outdoors, taking a class or playing a new sport, or trying yoga and meditation.
- Protect yourself from the sun – Enjoy your time in the sun, but remember that more sun exposure requires more effort to protect your skin. Lather up on sunscreen and consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat whenever you are going to be in direct sunlight to protect your skin from sunburn. And don’t forget to protect your eyes–make sure you wear sunglasses outdoors!
If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more ways to stay healthy this spring!
