Column: Travel Bug Got You Down?

[Opinion column written by Agathe Holowatinc]

Traveling is complicated right now, so I love to reflect on the places I’ve been and feel gratitude for having had the adventures and travels I’ve had. The photos from my many journeys spark joy.

This is me in Budapest, in theautumn, this time of year, 11 years ago.

What I’ve noticed in my nutrition coaching practice is that people can begin to feel stuck, stagnant, and stressed out these days with their holiday plans being tossed out the window, or rescheduled to a later date, and those are perhaps the plans that they were looking forward to to get away from it all and reconnect with their fun, playful and present selves.

If you allow feelings of being stuck, stagnant, and stressed out to dominate your mindset, however, you are going to become frustrated, angry, and unhealthy – potentially even toxic – which is not where you want or deserve to be in your health journey this year, or any year for that matter. It could lead you to feel unmotivated, lethargic, and can even result in weight gain if you end up in a cycle of emotional eating.

But, listen up! You have the power to control what you focus on, so focus on things that provide you with, and lead you towards, optimal health outcomes.

I have some simple and effective tips for improving your not-going-on-holiday-for-a-while mood, and boosting your overall happiness.

They are:

• Enjoy daydreaming about upcoming adventures. Some studies suggest that the anticipation of a holiday and planning for it made people happier than the actual holiday. Use that to your advantage and start daydreaming today!

• Look back at your travel photos. The stories you recall and pics you snapped while away will bring back happy memories and flood you with joy. That emotional flooding will penetrate your being, lift your spirit, and bathe your nervous system in cues of safety and happiness [which has far reaching health benefits].

• Reconnect with the people you had an amazing time traveling with and share your photos over a Skype or Zoom call. Laugh, reminisce and tease each other about any of the funnier times you had. This is a recipe for happiness.

• Print some of your photos out and pin them on an adventure board in your house. If you’re working from home, putting this board above your computer will ensure you see it often. This will bring a smile to your face every single day.

• Focus on your well-being right here at home. Enhance your sleep routine so that your nights are more restful, start an outdoor exercise routine to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and get your body moving, and book a massage at a spa or health center to get your much needed R&R.

• Consider booking yourself a healthy weekend retreat here on island, perhaps at Spirit House in Devonshire, a garden oasis with a charming cottage on it, and spend some time doing yoga, meditation, eating healthy meals and maybe bonding with close friends who join you. Time spent doing activities like yoga and meditation are significantly correlated with happiness. It just might be the escape/getaway you are looking for.

Enjoy!

Spread the love; feel free to share this message with someone you care about.

“Get FUELLED today for a healthier and happier tomorrow!”

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- Agathe Holowatinc is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach [services covered by most private health insurance companies], co-founder and director at FUELLED Bermuda Ltd., published author, health food private chef and health industry entrepreneur. She is a passionate advocate of real food, holistic approaches to health and communicating big ideas in a simple way. Visit fuelledlife.com or call or WhatsApp on 532-0426.

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