Why Train During the Holidays? 3 Reasons For and 3 Reasons Against

Holidays are often synonymous with rest and relaxation.

But when it comes to working out while on vacation, opinions are often divided.

Should you keep exercising or take a break completely? In this article, we'll look at three reasons to keep exercising during the holidays, as well as three reasons not to, to help you make the choice that's right for you.

3 Reasons to Work Out While on Vacation

1. Maintain Your Fitness

During the holidays, it's easy to give in to the pleasures of the table and the temptation of a sedentary lifestyle. However, continuing to exercise helps maintain your fitness and avoid losing the progress you've made throughout the year. A few exercise sessions, even light ones, can be enough to keep your body active and avoid the famous "post-holiday slump."

2. Reduce Stress and Improve Well-Being

Vacations can be the perfect opportunity to unwind, but they can also bring their share of stress, whether from travel, planning, or family obligations. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, thanks to the release of endorphins, the happy hormones. A workout can help you relax, sleep better, and fully enjoy your vacation.

3. Take advantage of free time to discover new activities

During the holidays, you have more free time to try new forms of exercise. Whether it's a hike in a new landscape, yoga on the beach, or a swim in an outdoor pool or the sea, vacations are a great opportunity to diversify your physical activities. It can even be the chance to discover a new sporting passion!

3 Reasons Not to Work Out While on Vacation

1. Allow Your Body to Rest and Recover

One of the main reasons not to exercise during the holidays is to allow your body to recover. If you train intensively year-round, a break can be beneficial to avoid overtraining, prevent injuries, and promote muscle recovery. Rest is an essential part of the physical strengthening process.

2. Enjoy Your Vacation to the Fullest

Vacations are often one of the few times of the year when you can truly disconnect from everyday life. Not exercising allows you to fully focus on yourself, your family, your friends, and indulge in other leisure activities. Sometimes it's good to let go of routines and live in the moment without constraints.

3. Avoid Guilt and Pressure

For some people, continuing to exercise while on vacation can lead to feelings of guilt if they fail to maintain their routine. By choosing not to exercise, you relieve yourself of the pressure of having to find the time and energy to exercise, and you give yourself permission to simply enjoy your vacation without a second thought.