How to Stay Healthy on Your Trip to Hawaii
The scrimping and saving is complete, your clothes shopping is done, and you’re almost finished packing. You’re dreaming of sandy beaches, mai tais, and luaus as the sun sets. You have Hawaii on the brain, and it’s almost time to go. While it may be tempting to think about overindulging while on the Big Island (or any of the others), remember that it can bring with it an upset stomach, nausea, or just downright not feeling well. Because you want to enjoy every moment of your trip, you’ll need to find a vacation and wellness balance, but how do you go about that without missing out, or fully throwing away a habitually healthy way of life in the process?
Stay active while sightseeing
The beauty of Hawaii is everywhere, from the minute you touch down on the tarmac or make port on the cruise ship. But if you really want to immerse yourself in it, you’ll want to make sure to pack a pair of hiking boots or tennis shoes. Hawaii is best experienced through adventure, making it a great vacation for those who love working out, or who just need extra incentive to work out. Look for tours that include an activity to get your blood pumping, such as biking down a volcano or hikes through waterfalls (yes, that’s a real thing).
If active volcanos and the wildlife in the forests don’t do it for you, a full-body experience like ziplining or pro surfing lessons might. In general, ziplining will get you up to 35 to 50 miles per hour. While whipping through the canopy of the forest, you’ll have the wind in your face and the weightlessness that comes with the feeling of falling. Make sure to keep your legs and arms in tight so you don’t hurt yourself while passing a tree. Surfing lessons will challenge you to your core, literally. Keeping your core engaged is integral to being able to succeed in surfing. You’ll learn to swim out, stand up, and navigate a wave. By the end of the day, you’ll have had a full-body workout as well as an adventure that you’ll never forget.
Nutrition is key
The best and most important thing you can do for your body is to give it the highest quality food for energy. Loading up on alcohol on a beach day sounds like a party, but the hangover it could bring will mean extra time spent in your room, and not on your epic island adventure. Temper your drinking with plenty of water, or sports drinks that contain electrolytes. Between the sun and the alcohol, you have ample ways to get dehydrated.
Keep in mind that sugar can result in crashes during the day. So instead of constantly seeking out junk food under the guise of, “I’m on vacation!” try Hawaii’s local vegetation or a poke bowl, which consists of raw or cooked fish, various seeds, soy sauce, sweet onions, and sesame oil. Substitute desserts for fruits, and forego coffee in favor of smoothies.
Punch up the nutritional value of your smoothies by bringing along vitamins, especially private label supplements that can be chosen by working with your doctor or certified wellness coach to get the best possible ingredients for your body. This way, even if you can’t always make the healthiest choice, you’ll have something to make up the difference. If your body is happy and healthy through your vacation, you’ll also have an easier time transitioning back to real life once your fantasy trip is sadly over, as well.
While it can seem daunting to make the best choices for yourself while you’re on vacation, the gorgeous string of islands called Hawaii makes it so that the healthiest options only enhance the experience.
