Enrich's Guide to Eating on Holidays

Holidays are a fantastic addition to our lives, and they give us the opportunity to really take care of our wellbeing. We get to prioritise our own rest and enjoyment and give ourselves the chance to get away from the everyday pressures of life. It is a time to switch off and recharge, which is something we don’t often get the opportunity to do. When it comes to your health and wellness journey, it is vital to prioritise being kind to your body, whether that is in everyday life or whilst on holiday. Here at Enrich, we know there is a way to combine pleasure and wellness while you’re on holiday. Holidays can feel and be viewed as an obstacle on our wellness journey. We fear that eating, drinking and not moving in our normal ways will set us back on our journey and overall progress. However, this is not the case.

Visiting new places gives us the opportunity to experience different cultures and allows us to try new foods that you may not have ever tried before and may never again! Also, when we establish healthy habits that prioritise listening to our bodies and really getting clear on what is important to us, a holiday is not a setback, but a chance to really connect with ourselves and those around us. Ironically, switching off, lowering our stress levels, and eating that ice-cream has greater benefits for our health than eating ‘perfectly’ when on holiday.

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Here are our top tips to make the most of your holiday and come out feeling refreshed and energised:

1. The first and arguably the most important point is considering how you want to feel on holiday, not just about what you want to do and see. Holidays are such an exciting time in our lives that we sometimes need to take a step back and think about what would make us feel good. Do we want to feel relaxed, energised, connected, adventurous or refreshed? Once we have that decision made, it will be easier to plan how you want your holiday to go.

2. Take advantage of the increase in free time and do some of the things you have had on your wish list but are always too busy for. This is the moment to take the longer hike, lie in and catch up on your sleep, or spend the afternoon browsing markets for the perfect ingredients to your favourite dinner.

 3. Start the day with a well-balanced breakfast. Including a source of protein, such as eggs or Greek yoghurt, can help us to feel properly nourished and sustain our energy throughout the day’s activities. You must remember that different climates will affect your food choices and the frequency at which you eat so if you’re eating behaviours slightly change on holiday, it is nothing to start worrying about. It’s also not about restriction of food, rather it’s about supporting our body in simple ways to make the most of our time away. It is key to remember that one meal, or a week of meals won’t be the ‘be all and end all’, like when you eat well for one week, it doesn’t equal immediate and drastic results. The most important thing is to feel rested and enjoy your time, so even if you achieve none of your wellness goals, don’t stress. Focus on the good things, and re-commit to yourself on your return home.

4. Add a movement-based activity to your plans. Of course, time in the hammock on the beach is non-negotiable. But if we can keep balance in mind, we will feel better overall. Could you take a nice long walk to see the sights, or maybe try a new activity out on the ocean? It does not have to be intense, but rather something small and consistent each day.

5. Limit your alcohol to get your most restful sleep. We can often want to let loose and increase our drinking on holiday, but alcohol has a negative effect on the quality of our sleep, leaving us feeling tired and sluggish. If you want to finish your holiday feeling rested and refreshed, consider swapping in a mocktail or fresh juice.

6. Don’t neglect your hydration. Staying hydrated is essential to feeling energised, so bring a water bottle with you and fill it regularly. This is particularly important if you are somewhere with sunnier weather.