10 Reasons to Maintain an Exercise Regime While on Vacation

Taja Watkins-Scott, BS

Physical Health & Wellness Associate

​I am writing this blog 10 days before my first holiday since the world was shut down to all and I am so excited and extremely grateful.  I plan to maintain my fitness regime on holiday for various reasons including the fact that working out is part of my self-care regime and enjoy exercising.  I thought it would be fitting to write a blog that incorporates this as both are a part of physical health and overall well-being.

In no particular order, here are some of the benefits to maintaining (or even starting) an exercise regime while on vacation:
 

1. Stay on track – if you exercise regularly, training on holiday (even if it is to a lesser degree than at home) can reduce the progress lost while away, while still being able to rest sufficiently.
2. Maintain the hard work you’ve put in to get your “holiday body” – If you’ve worked hard to hit a specific body goal for your holiday, it makes sense to keep up the good work while you’re away so that you don’t regress and have to start the journey again.
3. Counterbalance overindulgences – It's so easy to overeat on holiday, especially when it’s all-inclusive food and drinks.  Maintaining an exercise routine can help minimise the effects of this and can help prevent the feeling of guilt from this and unwanted weight gain.
4. Improve rest – Most of us tend to go on holiday to have a rest or break from our everyday lives.  Regular exercise has been proven to aid in a restful night's sleep.  Sleeping well while on holiday sounds like the perfect combination to me.
5. Improved energy levels – Although exercise can improve your sleep, it can also boost your energy levels when you’re feeling a bit sluggish.
6. It’s a good way to meet new people – Particularly if where you’re staying has a gym or group activities available as you’ll be able to meet people who have similar interests too yourself.
7. Find new activities you enjoy – There may be physical activities that you’ve never tried before or that may not be available to you at home.  This gives you the opportunity to try something new or perhaps a new hobby that you may take up in the future when back at home.
8. There’s more free time to do so – Without the pressures of work/life/health balance etc, it should be easier to maintain your exercise routine on holiday.
9. You’ll feel even better – being on holiday is always a blessing and will make you feel better, but why not capitalise on that and give yourself an additional boost by exercising to increase the feel-good hormones in your body.
10. Easy to transition when home – It will be easier to return to your exercise routine once you are back home and in your usual routine because your body will still be used to exercising regularly.

Even if you don’t usually exercise, you could consider going on a stroll after a meal, explore the grounds of where you’re staying or walk along the beach etc.  There is no pressure to exercise while on holiday.  I just wanted to share my own experiences as I’ve opted to not workout on holiday before and when comparing it to when I chose to work out on holiday, I felt better for maintaining my workout regime (especially when I returned home to my regular routine), although it was to a lesser degree compared to when I am at home.

​Taja Watkins-Scott, BS

My name is Taja Watkins-Scott and professionally, I am a holistic bodywork therapist specializing in Swedish massage, sports massage and rehabilitation and acupuncture. I come from a sporting background both academically and physically and have participated in sport and fitness as far back as I can remember. In addition to bodywork, I also provide energy readings as a service. I would describe myself as a nurturer and spiritual being navigating the human experience of life and while on this journey, I am using my gifts to bring love, light and healing to as many people as I possibly can to raise the vibration of the world around us. I am a firm believer that our health should be considered holistically as every aspect of our lives; physically, spiritually and emotionally are all interconnected. I take this approach with my own life and treat my clients accordingly. Although I am a bodywork therapist, many of my clients have found a safe space in me to be vulnerable and let go of anxieties they may be holding on to. As someone who also lives with anxiety it warms my heart that others can find a safe haven in me to let go of theirs.