We’ve all been there. You work your booty off at the gym, eat clean and get plenty of rest before vacation — only to return feeling hung over, out of shape and fried.
Do not fear, readers: it’s not as hard to get back to homeostasis as you may think!
Hydrate
Traveling can really dehydrate you, especially when flying. When you are dehydrated, it affects your entire body from your metabolism to your skin. Be sure to replenish your body by drinking plenty of water.
Sweat it out
Working out for the first time after a break can be brutal, but you have to bite the bullet. You may want to use jet lag as an excuse to avoid the gym, but just remember: the longer you delay your comeback, the harder it will be to get on track. I recommend a cardio class or hot yoga. When you kick-start your workout again, it is often more motivating to do so in a group setting.
Nourish
I don’t know about you, but when I am on vacation, the last thing I am thinking about is my vitamin intake. That being said, it’s important! Nourish your body by downing some green juices and popping some extra fruits and veggies on your plate.
Rest
Don’t try and push through the exhaustion. Sure, heading straight from the airport to Sunday funday may seem like a great idea, but use any downtime you have to rest. Your body needs to repair, and getting in some extra sleep is extremely important to the process.
Eat
While I already mentioned that you must nourish with vitamins, it’s also important to eat. Sure, simply juicing or consuming a minimal amount of food may seem like a great way to get rid of the cupcake curves you may have tacked on while you were away, but in reality it will only hurt you.
Eat clean, well-balanced meals packed with lean proteins. This will keep you full and give you the energy to get back on track. I always keep Quest bars on me as my secret weapon. They taste great, are full of protein and are low in sugar.
Detox
It can be hard to draw the line of where vacation ends and real life begins, but try not to cling onto your trip by continuing to booze. Give your body a break! Drinking hot water with half of a lemon first thing in the morning is a great way to help rid your body of toxins. You can also try a detox tea like Kusmi Tea for extra help.
Moisturize
Just like the inside of your body needs hydration, so does the outside. Traveling can take a serious toll on your skin, especially if you are in the sun. I personally never travel with my whole skincare regimen, so when I get home I make sure to exfoliate and put a layer of coconut oil on my face and body. It is great for replenishing the skin and ridding it of toxins. I also take extra care with my eye cream to get rid of any crows feet that may have started to form from all of the smiling.
Condition
As with our skin, we tend to take a few shortcuts when it comes to our hair while on vacation. That heat-protectant spray is just way too inconvenient to bring when you could be fitting something more exciting in your suitcase. Restore your hair’s shine and texture with a treatment like the Molton Brown Deep Conditioning Mask.
Pamper
Running around non-stop can be rough on your hands, feet and back. Get back to your put-together self by scheduling a little spa service, whether it is a manicure/pedicure, facial or massage. It will help you feel great, and may help ease the anxiety of getting back to work.
Dress Up
You may feel run-down, but getting dressed up in a cute outfit for your first day back at work or school will actually help you mentally feel more put-together. So kick the wrinkled threads to the side and put on that “seize the day” outfit. You are back and ready to take charge!
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