It’s that time of the year again! You’ve been working hard all year and it’s finally time to slow down and relax a little. Your vacation is with no doubt the most awaited event of 2019. That’s why it shouldn’t consist of just lounging around all day. Whether you decide to travel far or stick to common ground, it’s your job to make something out of this vacation. You don’t want it to end, only to make you feel like you’ve completely wasted it.
After a long year of working hard, you need an active and fulfilled vacation to rest your body and mind the right way. If you end up just sitting on the couch or beach lounge chair for five days and doing nothing, you’ll just feel dead instead of rested. Your body is used to being active, so putting it in a state of constant inactivity will just make you a zombie. Let’s not mention the fact that you’ll be bored after a few days of just sitting around.
An active vacation doesn’t have to involve work. In fact, it shouldn’t. It should consist of fun activities that make you feel rested and fulfilled. Laying down in the sun isn’t the only way to recharge your batteries.
1. Trek and hike
Trekking and hiking are perfect activities for getting to know nature and giving yourself up to fresh air and scenic views. These are also activities that can be done anywhere. You can get to know surrounding hills and mountains with this method, but also the mountains and hills of faraway places.
If you like these activities and are planning a trip somewhere, choose your location according to the quality of the hiking trails. There are some places that are simply meant to be explored with hiking and trekking. You can even hire a guide so that you’re safe and taken care of while on this new journey.
2. Find a guide
If you’re adventurous enough, you can plan out your vacation entirely by yourself. This will take a lot of time and preparation though. Even with all the information you can gather online about the place you’re going to, you’ll still lack the practical knowledge and local tips only an experienced visitor will know of. This is why it’s advisable to find an outfitter.
A local guide has already mapped out the routes and tested out the area, so you won’t have to. Since this is their job and they’ve done it for a while, you’ll know they have the right information. You won’t lack the essential tips and tricks for getting around and exploring the place.
Of course, make sure to research which is the most reliable guide for the area you’re going to. Most outfitters offer group and private trips, so you’ll get to enjoy your vacation the way you like.
3. Walk it
There’s not a simpler way to stay active than by just walking everywhere. If the distance is too great, it just gives you a reason to start walking earlier. Whether you’re exploring your own city or foreign land on foot, it’ll give you the exercise you need. Walking engages your whole body and tones all of your muscles- especially ones of the lower body.
If you’re staying in the area, you can get more familiar with it by exploring it on foot. Don’t follow a map or a route you already know. Instead, go where your feet take you. This is an excellent way to introduce a little adventure to your vacation even if you’re not traveling anywhere. Who knows, you might even find new favorite areas of the town and discover interesting venues you didn’t know existed.
For those traveling somewhere far, walking will add an extra bit of adrenaline to your vacation. Instead of taking taxis or public transport everywhere. Not only will this keep you active, but it will also allow you to get a whole different feel of the place. There’s no better way of getting to know a city and its culture than by getting lost in its streets. There are so many beautiful things that you simply miss when you’re not walking.
4. Don’t limit yourself
One activity doesn’t have to make an active vacation. If you have more interests and time, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying more than one activity while on vacation. From walking to reading, the ideal vacation consists of many things at once.
In fact, it’s even better if you incorporate more than one activity into your vacation. This gives you variety and makes things more fun and interesting. This piece of advice goes regardless of the destination of your vacation.
5. Start cycling
Now is the perfect time to take up a hobby such as cycling. With a sturdy helmet and a high-quality bike, you’ll get pretty far. Cycling is the perfect activity to get you moving and keep you active throughout the whole vacation. You can also build skill and improve over time, making this a long-term activity you’ll be happy to keep in your weekly schedule.
The key to cycling properly is to start gradually. So, if you haven’t cycled before, take your bike for a ride around the neighborhood first. This way you’ll get to feel out how in shape you are and set the right pace for your new hobby. Once you feel like you’ve mastered the neighborhood, it’s time to move on to the routes surrounding it.
When your skill increases, you can even consider off-road biking. The last step to cycling would be mountain biking. At this level, you’ll get to thoroughly explore the mountains and hills in your area. Though it may sound simple, this is actually a very physically demanding activity that will give you the dose of adrenaline you’ve been craving. Make sure you’re hydrated enough to last the whole route and never start with an empty stomach. You should also invest in the proper gear for mountain biking so as to minimize the risk of serious injury.
6. Get creative with what you eat
Food is a big topic when it comes to vacations. It’s very tempting to throw your nutritional habits in the garbage for a few days and just eat take out. It’s delicious, it’s cheap, and hey, it’s your vacation, you deserve to treat yourself. Though this is a common excuse for eating junk food while vacationing, it doesn’t mean it’s a good one.
Just because you’re not working doesn’t mean your body isn’t. Take-out here and there, is fine but it definitely shouldn’t be the only or main item on the menu. You’ll need real nutrients and healthy food if you’re going to have an active vacation. Proper fuel is essential for keeping your body healthy.
That being said, you don’t have to stick to the true and tried healthy recipes you’re probably sick of. Now that you have some free time, you can experiment with various different recipes. For your type of vacation, it’s best to incorporate as much protein as you can. That means you should look for recipes with eggs and dairy in them. If you plan on being really active, you’ll even need protein supplements. Don’t worry, protein can be tasty in the right recipe. For example, with protein pancakes you’ll have both the delicious taste and energizing effects.
7. Don’t stick to TV
This tip is more for the mental side of things. The most common way people relax their minds on vacation is with hours of mindless TV. You can catch up on your shows, but binging won’t have the relaxing effect you’re hoping for. Instead, it will leave you feeling drained and mentally tired. You could use your brain in a more productive way, simply by turning off the TV.
The best way to regain mental energy and do something good for your brain is to take up a good book. You don’t have to read anything complex. If reading isn’t really your thing, start with a trendy summer book you’ll go through easily. This activity can be very entertaining and doesn’t have to involve learning or memorizing. Whatever you read, it will engage your brain in a way TV simply can’t. You’ll have to imagine all the things happening in the book and actively follow the storyline. In the end, you might even improve your vocabulary and the way you express yourself.
Conclusion
With these tips, you’ll be set and ready for a vacation of a lifetime. Whether you’re traveling or staying at home, you can be sure that you’ll have a wonderful and restful vacation that will rejuvenate you and give you the motivation to go back to work. You’ve been waiting for these few days for ages, now is the time to make them count. We’re confident this vacation will give you everything your body and mind need. We’re also confident you’ll be happier and more well-rested than you have been in years.