3 Signs you Need a Vacation
& 6 Ways to Stay Healthy on Vacation
Is there anything better than the Canadian summer?
After eight long months of snow, wind and bitter cold, we are more than ready for long, warm and sunny days. Maybe this summer you will get to enjoy some time at a cottage, watching a gorgeous sunrise from the dock with a hot cup of coffee, while dipping your toes in the fresh lake water. Or you could grab a canoe or kayak and test your navigation and survival skills on a week-long trip of paddling, hiking and portaging through Canada’s gorgeous wilderness.
There’s so much going on in the summer, with large outdoor festivals popping up across the country, patios opening up at your favourite restaurants and strawberries being perfectly ripe for picking! You could even choose to go on a road trip or a plane ride, get out of the country while you have the time, and see Europe or tour around the States.
Whatever it is that you choose to do this summer, we want to make sure that you know how to stay healthy and safe on your vacation!
What’s Vacation?
Did you just read that and think – “Vacation? What’s a vacation?”
If so, you, my friend, may be in desperate need of a vacation! You also may be in the same boat as many fellow Canadians.
Expedia.ca conducts an annual survey called “Vacation Deprivation Survey” that takes a look at how Canadians are using their vacation days. Since 2003, Canadians collectively have left more than 350 million vacation days on the table, resulting in $53 billion in wages handed back to employers.
The reasons for leaving these days behind include: work schedules, saving for other obligations such as a house, tuition or paying off debt or personal/family schedules. [1]
Those statistics tell us that Canadians are in need of a vacation!
3 Signs You Need a Vacation
1. Small problems seem like big problems.
A month ago, the fact that the printer jammed every so often was not that big of a deal. It actually was a pretty easy fix. But the last couple of times it has happened you have needlessly over-reacted, sometimes even making the problem bigger by slamming tray doors or leaving it for the next person to fix. Not to mention, this small problem has been putting your stress levels off the charts.
Chances are, you need some time to take work off of the brain. Do what you need to do to reset, whether it means taking a day off to sleep in and enjoy breakfast in bed or taking two weeks off for a yoga retreat in Thailand.
2. You don’t feel like working, at all.
Okay, a lot of people don’t feel like working on a daily basis for many reasons. But have you gone from enjoying the work that you do to being completely miserable week-after-week? This is a sign that you are burnt out.
Psychology Today says “We emerge from a successful vacation feeling ready to take on the world again. We gain perspective on our problems, get to relax with our families and friends, and get a break from our usual routines.”[2] This will help bring you back to work, ready to tackle projects with renewed vigor and feel excited about your work again.
3. You are in pain, physically and mentally.
Lately, you have been coming home with headaches every night. Not to mention falling asleep at ungodly hours because your stomach is upset and your brain does not seem to want to shut off.
Days, weeks, or months of this results in an angry, frustrated and cynical version of yourself. If work has got you so wound up that you are feeling this way, it is time to take a break.
Okay, now we have decided that you need a vacation.
Once you have booked your flights or cottage or tours – you need to think about how you are going to stay healthy while on vacation.
Vacation can wear you out with all of the late nights, greasy food and non-stop activity.
6 Ways to Stay Healthy While On Vacation
1. Select healthy meals.
Let’s face it, unless you are planning a staycation, you will most likely be eating out quite often. Vacation is a time to let loose and indulge, but try not to overdo it.
For example, instead of saying yes every time a waiter (or someone on a speaker at a drive-thru) asks “Would you like fries with that?” try a healthier side, like a garden salad. Or, at a burrito restaurant (which seem to be all the rage), try a naked burrito, or burrito bowl. They include all of the yummy fixings of a burrito minus the tortilla.
There are also plenty of healthy “fast-food” restaurants popping up these days, like Freshii or Cultures, that you can keep an eye out for. Don’t stress about enjoying a delicious chocolate milkshake, but make sure you do everything in moderation.
2. Choose activities that keep you on your feet.
Don’t spend your whole vacation sitting down, you do that enough at work! This is time away from your desk that you can spend being active.
Are you checking out a new city? Instead of taking a tour bus, try a walking tour. This will get you on your feet to see parts of the city that you could never see from a bus. Or maybe you are up in cottage country for a few weeks. Try looking up hiking spots in the area, or renting fun water toys like paddleboards to try out at the cottage. Check out our Wellness blog post from last month: Get Active Outside and Explore Ontario for more ideas.
If you are really ambitious, bring your workout gear with you and wake up early one day for a jog. This is a fun way to get to know a new city before the hustle and bustle of daily activities begin.
3. Get vaccinated.
Heading somewhere outside of Canada for your vacation? You may be at risk for a number of vaccine-preventable illnesses.[3]
The Government of Canada recommends consulting a health care provider or visiting a travel clinic six weeks before you travel. This will help you assess your needs based on where you are planning to travel.[4]
4. Stay hydrated.
While you are out and about enjoying your vacation, don’t forget to drink water. A good way to remember is to carry a reusable water bottle with you everywhere you go. Or, always order a glass of water alongside any other drink that you order when eating out.
If you are not a big fan of water, try adding lemon or cucumber to your water, this will add a refreshing taste. Or you could try sparkling water, which will keep you hydrated but also offer a little bit of fizz!
5. Remember your sunscreen.
Sun safety is very important in the summer, and being on vacation you will most likely be outside a lot more often. Sunscreen is not just something that should be used at the beach but applied on a daily basis if you will be outside.
Things to look for when choosing a sunscreen: choose a high SPF, look for “water resistant” and reapply often.[5]
6. Maintain your sleep schedule.
Going to bed late and sleeping in sound great but, in the long run, it will wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. Try to maintain your sleep schedule as much as possible while on vacation.
Some tips to help you sleep more comfortably away from home: bring your own bedding, use a sleep mask or earplugs to drown out excess noise, don’t eat or drink too much or try an app that plays relaxing sounds to help you drift off.[6]
You can also try planned napping. The National Sleep Foundation describes this as “taking a nap before you actually get sleepy. [This technique is used] when you know that you will be up later than your normal bedtime or as a mechanism to ward off getting tired earlier.”[7] It will make you feel great and help you out if you are staying up a bit later!
With all of that being said, we hope that you have a safe and healthy vacation.
Vacation is an important part of maintaining your mental health, so remember to use the vacation days that are available to you, even if it means just resting at home!
Sources:
[1] http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7642951-expedia-15anniversary/
[2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201006/the-importance-vacations-our-physical-and-mental-health
[3] https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/vaccines
[4] https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/vaccines
[5] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/sun-safety/sun-safety-basics.html
[6] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-rosenberg-phd/time-zone-adjustment_b_886988.html
[7] https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/napping