It’s that time of year when our minds are wandering to that holiday coming up. Rest and recuperation is very important for our mental and physical health, but we must be mindful of our body! I am going to give you some holiday tips to keep you in top-notch shape whilst away.
Sitting for Long Periods
Whether it’s a plane, train, car or boat, there is a chance that we’ll be static for a while to reach our destination. Sitting for long periods is not good for our body – we need to keep our blood flowing!
When sitting for long periods, it is a good idea to keep the legs moving. There are a couple of exercises you can do while stuck in a seat that help blood flow, which is important to reduce the risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), also known as blood clots.
- Heel raises
- Ankle circles
- Toe squeezes
- Knee raises
Also, you don’t need to be fit to achieve these!
Keeping Hydrated
Keeping hydrated is important when you are static for long periods. Being dehydrated and static can increase your risk of VTE. Keeping hydrated is easier on a plane, train or boat because there are toilets available. Keeping hydrated in a car is more difficult unless you want multiple toilet stops! If you know that you are going on a long car journey, increase your water intake for several days prior. If you do this, dehydration is less likely, and you won’t need to drink as much on the journey.
Staying Active
Staying active on holiday is as important as rest! Holidays are often a time for relaxing but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay active as well. If you are somewhere sunny there are often water parks – these are fun and get your body moving. Most holidays in the sun have pools that you can access. Taking a gentle swim every day is a wonderful way to stay active. if you are close to the coast, you have the sea as an option. Swimming a bit cold for your liking? Try walking to explore – this will help you to stay active.
Stretches
If you are doing ANY type of exercise, it is important to factor in stretches. Here are a few:
- Leg stretches before walking
- Shoulder movements before swimming
- Calf stretches after walking
- Arm stretches after swimming
- Rolling your feet. If you have done a lot of walking your feet may be sore. Find a ball or even a bottle from your toiletry bag and roll it under your foot.
Backpack
If you are exploring whilst on holiday, you will probably need to take a few things with you. Think about how you are going to carry the bits you need. A backpack is always the best option in my opinion. A backpack will distribute the weight evenly between both shoulders which will cause less stress on your back.
Have a wonderful and active holiday!
