Is planning to go on holiday such a stressful event for you that you forget to enjoy the holiday?
Once we get to June, we can really start to believe that the summer is here. Getting ready for summer holidays, days out and just the chance to see blue skies can all have us feeling very positive. But for some, the whole idea of ‘taking a break’ and getting away for a few days can be so stressful that it ruins what should be one of the highlights of the year.
Do you love getting away from it all or is the pressure of planning for pets, packing for all weathers, travel insurance and insect bites just too much?
Some simple thinking ahead, planning and even delegating tasks can have a massive impact on how you approach your holiday. It is worth taking a look at ways you can support yourself so that you too can enjoy and recharge yourself while having that well earned break.
Lists! Love them or hate them, they can really make a positive difference plus you get the boost of seeing things crossed off as you do them. Making a list of all that you need to plan, however detailed you want it to be, can also be a way of identifying exactly what needs doing and what things you are perhaps worrying about that you needn’t and can dismiss. It will also highlight what you might be able to ask someone else to help with.
There are plenty of apps and free programmes you can use to help you keep track. Even setting a reminder on your phone to check things can help. Perfect for when you are in the middle of the supermarket and you remember you need to check passport dates. Set a reminder for a time when you know you will be home and commit to acting on it when it bleeps!
While you are making a list of all you need to plan for the holiday or trip, how about making a list for a personal health check too? Making sure you are in the best health to firstly prepare for the holiday and secondly, enjoy it once you are there, can be invaluable.
Simple steps such as asking for help and preparing nutritionally can help you get the most out of your time away.
So what could you add to your ‘you’ list? Is all the booking, planning and juggling getting you stressed out and causing sleepless nights? Using B vitamins and magnesium can contribute to a reduction in tiredness and psychological function. Whether you choose to take them just in the run up to your holiday or even continue on during the break, for many they can become an important addition to your supplement regime.
When you travel do you worry about a change in food and whether you are going to experience an upset stomach? Keeping the gut healthy with a good level of friendly bacteria is important on many levels. Not only help keeping the gut ‘clean’ and good digestion, wealso know that around 70% of our immune system comes from our gut and research is now showing us that a good gut microbiome also supports our mood and mental wellbeing.
By adding a friendly bacteria supplement again in the build up to your holiday and during the time away, can be useful. Look for a supplement that is room temperature stable but if you have a fridge available, keeping it in there helps to protect the friendly bacteria even more.
We are so used to being indoors and in front of screens these days, that some people find that being in a very bright and sunny environment can leave them experiencing difficultyadjusting to the bright light. Research suggests that taking beta carotene, a precursor to vitamin A can help eyes adjust to bright lights and can also help protect the skin as an added bonus. Ideally you need to take it a month or so before you travel, but it is worth considering and perhaps adding other antioxidants that we know are useful for eye health such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Don’t forget a pair of sun glasses and your sun cream too!
Keeping hydrated is important for overall wellbeing and helping the body cope with excessive heat both at home and abroad. Drink plenty of water rather than fizzy drinks, alcohol and coffee. None of them hydrate quite like water does.
You can also hydrate via your diet, think about fresh fruits and salad vegetables. They all contain water and can be an additional way of helping your hydration. During the summer there is an abundance of fresh produce around and if you live near keen gardeners or allotment owners, you will often find them selling home grown super fresh fruit and veg to add some variety and added flavour to your menu.
We often find that in the summer we feel better as we also tend to eat lighter and healthier with more fresh produce in our diets, but it is still important to consider how nutritious your food is and aim to eat plenty of variety. We may be getting our vitamin D from sunshine at this time of year, but if you spend most of the time with your skin covered or tend not to go outside much, it might be worth considering a vitamin D supplement or even making sure you are taking a multivitamin and mineral.
With the vast array of supplements available these days, it is easy to forget that a well formulated multivitamin with nutrients in easily available forms can be an ideal addition to your wellness regime. It can also be an easy way of getting a wide range of nutrients without swallowing a lot of separate tablets. The quantities of nutrients won’t be as high as in a single nutrient supplement, but don’t dismiss the multi as a great all rounder.
You can get that holiday feeling by having a day out with a picnic in the fresh air, it doesn’t have to be airports and long haul destinations.
So here’s to a summer of good weather, relaxing holidays and a chance to recharge our batteries. A day in the park with a picnic or a forest walk can be beneficial too, it doesn’t have to be two weeks half way around the world. Planning, preparing and allowing yourself to enjoy the moment will make for a brighter, more relaxed and happier you this summer.
