Earlier this month I was blessed to be able to attend a family reunion in Montgomery, Alabama. This gathering was for my mother’s side of the family. I have to admit that unless you are a client, I have a terrible time with names and faces; I rely on my husband to keep track of all that. Despite my awkwardness trying to match names, faces, and family position, it was a very nice time. While I love to travel and see different places, this trip truly wore me out! It was our third trip in five weeks. Maybe it was all those hours in the van (yes, my husband prefers driving, even on long trips). I’m sure some of my fatigue resulted from my daily routine being disrupted. Eating foods that I don’t normally have, working out less often, and sleeping in a hotel bed all impacted my stress level.
Since the summer vacation season has just begun for most of you, maybe some of my challenges and attempts to plan ahead will give you some ideas.
1. Plan for eating on the road. We always pack a big cooler with lots of ice to keep water (for me), soft drinks (for husband), and some yogurt and fruit. We also carry a bag of favorite snacks that aren’t too messy to eat while moving, like pretzels and string cheese. We try to stop by one real restaurant during the day, where we can have healthier options.
2. Keep up some exercise. My husband knows that when he books a hotel, it must have an exercise room. I always pack my running gear hoping to enjoy a local park but I’m usually found on the treadmill at 6:30 am because it’s more convenient. Even if you don’t want to pack a lot of extra stuff, consider walking paths around the hotel, enjoy the pool (before the kids arrive), or download a simple routine on your mp3 player.
3. Party Food! Family reunions give us the chance to bring out favorite dishes and cook up a storm. I knew that I would not be eating a lot of the rich, heavier items so I brought frozen veggie burgers and a big fruit tray from the local grocery. The fruit disappeared long before the cakes!
4. Sleeping well is a major factor in our health. Just know that when you are on the road, you are going to encounter noisy hotel guests, loud air conditioners, and maybe even a fire alarm (courtesy of the NHG). Take what you need from home to feel comfortable. For me that includes a pillow from home, a tealight travel candle and extra soft pj’s to help usher me to dreamland.
I hope that you are enjoying this summer and if you have the chance to see some old (or new) relatives, don’t pass it up! Blessings to you all, Jacqui
