Not going away on holiday can be the real holiday. Following the mass holiday exodus, it can also be a positive time not to travel: Everywhere is quieter and it can be a time to think, restore balance and concentrate on your health. It can also be bonus time to spend with the family.
The real holiday can be time spent enjoying your own home and surroundings. Yes, it is really hot, but with air conditioning and kids clubs it can be managed. Try to give the family real quality time that they will never forget.
We have all spent many holidays touring around visiting family and friends, moving from strange bed to strange bed. All the packing and unpacking can get very boring. Even if you are going to a new city and staying in a hotel, you feel you should be out and about with your guide book and be ticking off all the tourist attractions.
Hotels are comfortable, but you still miss your home comforts. Holidays can also hit the credit card very hard with everyone keen to eat out and shop until they drop.
This summer is great for sharing television time, and watching the Olympic Games as a family promises to be a real treat. Children love and crave family time, and there is nothing they love more than roping mom and dad into board and card games. It is also a good time to sort out and archive the family photographs; and children will love to help and share their memories.
This summer can be really be a precious time when you do not have the stresses and strains of school runs and homework. You can give your children the best of you and let them know there is no one else you would rather spend time with. I remember one summer teaching my son to make puddings; we had some great times together, and now, at 17, he has turned into a really expert cook and still makes all my puddings for me when we entertain.
This is an ideal time to really look after your health properly. Stress levels can build up during the year, and there is nothing like the endorphins released during exercise to calm you down. In just four weeks, you can make a real difference to your health and fitness levels.
There are plenty of dance and exercise workout DVDs you can use to exercise at home. These are good for everyone to help get rid of weight fast. Men can also reap the benefits of home exercise DVDs to get a good physical shape and become active, slim, and flexible. Aerobic dance includes respiratory and cardiovascular fitness, which leads to decreased stress level, higher levels of alertness, physical and mental well-being. Choose something you would enjoy and then get into the habit of using it at a regular time each day.
Who would be without air conditioning? In hot, humid climates, it is more than a modern comfort — it is an essential element in getting through those sweltering, sticky days; but it is important also to factor in some time outside. Nature is very balancing and restoring — try early morning walking and catching the sunrise or watching the sun gradually set in the evening. Numerous studies have linked exposure to nature with increased energy and good health. Air conditioning units can also circulate air-borne diseases, so it is important to get fresh air into your home even in summer time. I wish you a happy holiday whatever you are doing. For a copy of my healthy eating plan email me [email protected] or pick one up at ardenhealth.com.
Ask Alva
I know that I should exercise regularly, but it is easy in the hot Gulf weather to feel very lazy. I also get very lazy when my family is away for the summer. I like to flop on the sofa and surf the channels and enjoy a really nice takeaway. As my wife has told me to lose some weight before they get back, do you have any tips?
— Martyn
Health clubs and the roads are less busy in the summer months, making it easier to stop off on the way home from the office and exercise. So, always keep your gym and swimming kit in the car. The fact is exercise recharges your batteries and actually gives you more energy; it releases feel-good hormones that leave you feeling relaxed, so that you sleep better. Exercise is a great stress buster, much better than sitting in front of the television. So there are many good reasons for fitting exercise into your schedule. And what about a relaxing swim on the way home? You will enjoy the summer more if you are active.
You can also work out in the privacy of your air conditioned home. Get into a routine of early morning exercise. If you would like a copy of my Mini-Morning Workout email me at [email protected]. It only takes ten minutes each morning. Once you start exercising, you will start to think about eating healthy and you can send me an email for my healthy eating plan at [email protected]. I hope your wife will return to a lovely new, slim you.
— Alva
A holiday at home
