June 17, 2025

I won’t stop taking my meds just because I’m on vacation…so why skip a workout?

Let me be clear: when I go on vacation, I relax. I rest, sip coffee (or wine) slowly, and indulge in yummy food. But you know what else I do?

I move my body – because I need it. Not in a “burn off last night’s dessert” kind of way, but in a “this keeps me sane and grounded” one.

Think of it this way: I wouldn’t stop taking my Zoloft (gasp!) just because I’m away from home. I wouldn’t stop drinking my Happy Juice (double gasp!) just because I’m doing laundry in someone else’s house for a week. So why would I stop doing the other thing that helps stabilize my mood, reduce anxiety, and make me feel like me?

Vacation Isn’t a Break from Mental Health

Traveling can be amazing, but it can also be stressful – especially with little ones. New places, disrupted routines, packing and unpacking, family dynamics…and while it’s a break from work and the norm, it’s not a break from your brain.

Working out on vacation helps:
✔️ Keep my anxiety and stress at bay (or at least minimal)
✔️ Keep my mood level and positive
✔️ Support better sleep in unfamiliar environments
✔️ Eliminate the guilt when I do indulge in foods outside my daily diet 
✔️ Give me a natural energy boost for all the adventures ahead

Movement Makes Me Feel Like Me

I don’t work out on vacation to earn anything (except maybe compliments from my nieces, who recently told me I “slay” – I had to look this up). I work out on vacation because I genuinely enjoy how it makes me feel: stronger, lighter, calmer, more present. It’s me time – even if it’s just a 20-minute strength circuit on the bay, a walk on the beach, or a climb up the lighthouse stairs. 

Exercise helps me stay anchored and keeps my wellness routines from totally unraveling when I return home.

Let’s Be Real: It Doesn’t Have to Be Intense

Working out on vacation doesn’t mean hitting the gym hard every morning at the crack of dawn. It means:
✔️ Booking a walkable excursion
✔️ Doing a short Peloton class in the hotel room (hello, app!)
✔️ Stretching or yoga by the pool
✔️ Dancing with your kids at the beach

Movement is movement – and on vacation, it should feel good.

The Bigger Picture: Exercise Is Medicine

Here’s the thing: beyond the vacation-specific benefits, daily movement has a massive impact on long-term health. Think:
✔️ A stronger heart and better circulation
✔️ More energy and sharper focus
✔️ Increased metabolism and muscle tone
✔️ Reduced risk of disease (and burnout)
✔️ Improved confidence and body image (yes, even in a swimsuit)

It’s not about perfection – it’s about consistency.

So if you see me sneaking in a workout on vacation…

Just know I’m not chasing a six-pack (well, that’s not the main focus)…I’m protecting my peace. This is part of how I care for myself, whether I’m home juggling work and kids or off somewhere beautiful with sand in my hair.

Because I wouldn’t skip my meds or supplements just because I’m away – and exercise is part of my prescription, too.