Holidays!

Delicious! Finally rest, but you also think; how can I maintain a routine so that I don't have to start from scratch after the holidays. You are happy with the habits you have and don't want to let them go, but you also want a nice holiday, how are you going to do that?

Whether you stay in your own country or go on a long trip, you make plans in both cases. What if you also take the things that keep you fit with you when arranging. Having an idea in advance so that you know what you can do gives even more peace of mind. Here are 3 tips to simply take your habits with you in your suitcase: 

• Crowding out 

Eating, or rather not eating, was always a thing for me during the holidays. I thought: Vacation; stop eating. If I don't dance and I eat then I will definitely gain 100 kg :). But the stress that this causes is really not pleasant and ensures that you are completely out of balance physically but also mentally. After the holiday it takes a lot more time to get that balance back. This approach/tip often comes back to me because it works so well: Crowding out.

A detailed explanation can be found in a previous blog. In short: Add healthy / unprocessed food so that there is no room for empty calories that make you more hungry. 

Don't just eat lettuce thinking that you will get as few calories as possible and therefore not gain weight. At some point your body will ask for food and then it is often the case that you eat too much and unhealthy. Just add as much healthy, and if possible unprocessed, food so that your body doesn't 'turn on' when you walk somewhere hungry after your head of lettuce and then go wild on sweet, salty, fatty food. Eat regularly and enough, eat the rainbow, listen to what your body needs, drink plenty of water and most importantly; Enjoy!!

• New ways of moving

My coach taught me this when I had an injury. I couldn't move like I normally used to. Now I hope you don't have an injury, but this tip is also great to keep moving during the holidays. Go see how you can move in a completely different way. I found out that I really liked yoga, swimming, supping, skating and walking. This is almost all possible at the places where I go on holiday. So even if you're not dancing, this way you'll keep moving, and you'll have fun too (I hope). 

Try out new things and see what makes you happy. You may find a park with outdoor exercise equipment or a beautiful running route.

You don't need anything at all for yoga, you can start your day with it anywhere in the world and possibly also end it. Many hotels have swimming pools. Swimming is great for your body, swimming laps is good for your head; win win.. 

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to stay active during the holidays even if you're not dancing.

• Breath in breath out

As a dancer you cannot avoid a dose of stress now and then. You may have already developed habits to deal with this, so be sure to take these with you on holiday.

While traveling can be fun and exciting, it can also be stressful for many. Especially at this time. Stress will inevitably be part of your vacation and that's okay. Don't give in! After all, this is your time away.

Dealing with stress is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Here are some stress-reducing tips/tools for everyday life and if you need it in a huge queue at Schiphol :)

Meditation is a great way to reduce stress. If you have no experience with this yet, just take a few minutes to breathe in and out calmly. When you feel your blood pressure rise because of screaming kids in the same line and you notice that your muscles are slowly but surely tightening, do a full body scan and relax each part of the body while taking a slow deep breath. The breathing technique that works for me is: inhale for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 7 and exhale for a count of 8, repeat this a number of times. You can find various techniques online, choose one that suits you best.

The best thing about these easy stress relievers is that you can do them anywhere, anytime! After a few deep breaths, you'll be completely relaxed and ready to handle any crying baby on any plane.

Balance

A change of environment and routine can be a challenge. I hope that with the tips above you can take most of your habits with you on holiday.

Just try to stay on a track that suits you and feels good. Also try to be flexible, then you have the best of both worlds: Wonderful holiday and fit and rested afterwards.

Find balance for your best vacation. Don't look at what others do/say you are your own person with your own unique needs.

If there is any way I can still help you on your journey to even better health, feel free to email or call. Otherwise I wish you a wonderful holiday.