A Relaxing Vacation Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Be Active!

It’s important to get away – refresh, recharge, spend some time with the people you love. But your health can suffer when a vacation involves lots of dining out, drinking, and lounging around – or the worst offender – the all you can eat buffet! Decadent vacation behavior can wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy lifestyle. Here are some active trip suggestions that allow vacationers to unwind without the temptation of overindulging:

For those outdoor enthusiasts who crave adventure on foot, consider vacations to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or Yosemite. All three national parks offer experiences like hiking, biking, and backpacking through expanses of gorges, ridges, trails, and rock formations. Want to stay a little closer to home? Look into nearby local or state parks with camping, hiking, and other fun activities.

Water adventures don’t have to include lying by the pool or on a beach. White water rafting is an excellent way to enjoy some of the country’s most majestic rivers and natural beauty while staying active but having fun. The Chattooga, Deerfield, and New Rivers offer some of the most thrilling whitewater rafting options on the east coast, no matter the skill or experience level. Kayaking, canoeing, tubing, surfing, and stand up paddleboarding are other great ways to explore the water on an active vacation.

If a healthy yet restorative vacation sounds appealing, yoga retreats across North America offer peaceful destinations where you can practice yoga, meditate, learn Tai Chi, or simply refresh and reconnect with yourself, as well as nature. Retreats like the Sedona Mago in Arizona, Lumeria in Maui, and Esalen in California offer breathtaking views in beautiful, resort-like settings where it’s easy to find inner peace and a mind-body balance.

Sometimes people just want to lounge by the water, and that’s ok too. An adventure-based vacation isn’t going to appeal to everyone at all times, but that doesn’t mean those who enjoy a healthy lifestyle can’t keep active. Take a break from all the relaxation by doing some sightseeing on foot. Walking allows us to explore the destination we’re visiting in a more genuine way, not to mention it will help offset extra calories consumed.