Happy Holidays
Are you contemplating your first holiday alone after your divorce? Or a holiday with your children but without your spouse for the first time?
This can seem a bit daunting, especially if you’ve been in a long marriage/relationship and not used to going it alone.
What if your spouse always made the arrangements and you don’t know where to start?
Like anything after a divorce – you can either see it as a trial and feel sorry for yourself or you can embrace the opportunity to learn something new and to grow as a person.
I’ll admit it isn’t easy when you’re getting over a divorce (even if you’re the one who instigated it) and doing things for the first time on your own can be challenging, but a holiday or even a weekend break can be the making of you, so it’s worth pushing yourself out of your comfort/misery zone.
Variety really is the spice of life and changing your environment can bring numerous benefits.
Different Foods – Being away from home can encourage you to try different foods. As far as possible try to stay away from really rich foods and opt for the more healthy options.
If you’re going abroad spending time in a hot country means you can indulge in plenty of salads, fresh fruit and juices.
Mediterranean cuisine tends to contain a wide variety of seasonal vegetables and many tropical countries offer an abundance of exotic fruit.
If you enjoy new food, you’re more likely to continue eating it once you get home. And by recreating your favourite dishes, you can pretend you’re still on holiday when you get home. Think of it as a fresh start. New beginnings.
Sun – The message that sunlight can cause skin cancer is loud and clear. However, spending time in the sunshine can make us feel so much better. Those bright blue skies can lift any mood. Just make sure that you cream up appropriately. 20 minutes of sunshine a day also increases the level of vitamin D in our blood, helping to strengthen our immune system and improving teeth and bone development. It feels good and it does us good, just don’t overdo it.
Sleep – Holidays provide the perfect opportunity to catch up on sleep. Sleep deprivation from working long hours or through the stress of our break up can lead to premature ageing and even illness.
While we are asleep our bodies undergo certain important processes – from repair and renewal to energy restoration. According to scientists, deep sleep – rather than length of sleep – is the time when the brain recharges itself so we can function effectively during the day. Catch up on those Zzzzzzs as much as possible.
Exercise – With more time to spare on holiday, take the opportunity to walk or cycle as much as possible.
An ideal thing to do is to jog along the beach at sunrise or sunset. Jogging on sand makes you work harder because all your lower leg and ankle muscles are helping to keep you balanced.
Water aerobics is a good all-round exercise. Working against the water provides cardiovascular exercise and also tones the major muscle groups.
For a more gentle work out, several laps in the swimming pool or sea can help you get in shape. Swimming is a great way to stretch your body and keep it supple.
Social games including beach volley ball, water polo and tennis – or even using a pedallo – can all encourage the body to get fitter without you even noticing it! Plus think of the new friends you’ll make.
Sea water – Research shows that listening to water alters wave patterns in the brain – in the same way that meditation does. Hearing the sound of lapping waves or cascading waterfalls on holiday can help rejuvenate the mind and body.
Salt water from the sea also has the added benefit of containing detoxifying properties. It draws out the body’s impurities leaving you feeling clean and rejuvenated. Just what you need.
Memories – Holidays often evoke happy memories. Harnessing memories can be the start of a new chapter in your life. A chapter without your ex. Hopefully you will experience new people, new cultures and new experiences.
These holiday memories can be used as an instant rescue remedy for when you get back home.
Thinking back to your holiday relaxes your mind and mental imagery releases endorphins – those natural feel-good hormones released by the brain.
Laughter – If you’re enjoying yourself on holiday and meeting new people, you’re more likely to have a laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine, according to recent research. A good belly laugh can strengthen the immune system and lower stress by releasing those wonderful endorphins.
If you’re struggling at the thought of a holiday on your own for the first time then get in touch. I’d love to work through things with you.