The spring weather is warming up, and our Toronto physiotherapists, chiropractors, and other sports medicine specialists know that there will be many schedule changes as we go into holiday season. Going on vacation is a kind of therapy all by itself. Far from the busy workday environment, with no constant demands on your attention – it’s the kind of break your brain needs.
Your body, on the other hand, needs to stick to a healthy routine. Let’s not forget those superb brioches from that charming bakery in Paris...or the gooey delicious desserts at the night market in Bangkok. When you add changes to your diet to a lack of exercise, you shouldn’t be surprised if your work suit is a little tight when you get back home.
What can you do? You can keep track of the gooey desserts so you don’t fall too far overboard, and incorporate some of our smart ideas for staying on the fitness track while you explore the world.
- Check out your hotel. That means checking out hotels for workout facilities, and in more detail, what type of facilities and equipment are available for use.
- Stay park side. Is there a park or even a running track nearby for walks and runs? A university campus is typically a good bet for the latter.
- If you love the hotel, but there’s no fitness facilities, then look for a fitness club nearby where you can purchase a day or weekend pass. Ditto for public pools, and check nearby hotels and resort facilities with good fitness facilities, where you may also be able to purchase a day pass.
- Bring a resistance band – and learn how to use it. Even if you are stuck in a hotel room on a rainy day, you can do a good upper and lower body workout with a standard resistance band. Provided the hotel floors are of sufficient quality, you can also use a jump rope for an intense aerobic workout. Your Toronto physiotherapist or other sports medicine specialist can advise you on exercises customized to your physical condition.
- Do some homework. What is unique to the area you will visit? Hiking trails in the Appalachian Mountains? Boating on the Kawartha Lakes? Volleyball on the beach in Rio? There is often a way of combining fitness activities with the unique landscape of your vacation destination for a truly enriching holiday experience.
- Take the stairs. This is a good rule of thumb at home or abroad. With a pedometer, you can also measure how many steps you take, with a goal of 10,000 per day.
- Find parks, nature reserves, and other places nearby within an easy drive or otherwise accessible, where you can take a hike.
- A hotel pool may not be the ideal place for uninterrupted laps. But, pool walking – with the water at waist height or higher – is a challenging workout in and of itself. When you’re lounging by the pool, try five to 10 minutes of pool walking for every 20 minutes of lounging.
- Many cities offer bicycle rentals for a low daily fee. It’s a great way to get to know the city you are visiting while staying active – and earning those occasional treats.
Looking for advice on holiday activities while you recover from a musculoskeletal injury or condition? Don’t hesitate to contact one of our Toronto physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics today for a consultation.
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