Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

As 4th of July fireworks lit up the sky earlier this month, my family skipped out on taking a trip for the holiday weekend and instead enjoyed a weekend at home. Sometimes, a good, old fashioned staycation can be just as great as a faraway destination. However, I’ve noticed that sometimes people go to extremes in their vacations, like going totally off the deep end for a vacation, but sticking to most of their daily routines during a staycation. 

I think it’s so important that we treat ourselves, have fun, and do the things that bring us joy while also doing the things that serve our goals. 

You can feel just as relaxed during a staycation as you would on a traditional vacation if you are intentional about your rest time. If your staycation is truly meant to be a mini vacation at home, do something outside the usual! Treat yourself to dinner at a local restaurant, spend time relaxing at home rather than taking care of whatever chores are on your agenda, and see your city as a tourist. 

If you intentionally step out of your routine to renew and relax, your staycation can be excellent self-care that doesn’t involve too much planning. 

On the other hand, if you want to go away for vacation, that’s a great option, too! I know that some people want to eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on vacation, and that’s okay if that’s what you choose, but you should know that you also have the option of a balanced vacation if you don’t want to totally sideline your goals. 

Even though a night out on vacation might be fun, if we don’t treat our body well, we may find that we’re bloated, groggy, or suffering from a headache the next day. 

By being intentional in our choices, like opting for a glass of water between drinks, we can enjoy our vacations or staycations and still feel like ourselves. 

Remember that neither your vacation or staycation has to center around food if you don’t want it to. Make a plan to rent a kayak or a paddleboard and hit the water, or take advantage of seeing something new by taking a walking tour of your city. There are so many great cuisines to try whether you’re traveling or enjoying local flavor, but there are also many other things to do and see than just waiting for the next meal. 

Whether you’re vacationing or staycationing, remember to treat your body and your brain like they belong to someone you love. You deserve the very best, so make the most of your relaxation time!

Have you ever tried a staycation at home instead of a vacation? Let me know in the comments!

If you need some inspiration for healthy living, please join me in my Facebook group Never Diet Again for a great community filled with great discussion!