Healing Burnout: How to Protect Your Energy on Vacation
- Dr. Lexi Lain
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Let’s be honest—most women don’t actually relax on vacation.
We pack the bags, coordinate the flights, make sure everyone in your crew are taken care of, and somehow find a moment to check in on work “just for a minute.” Then we come home feeling more exhausted than before we left.
But here’s the truth: vacation should be a time of healing—not just changing locations with your stress in tow.
Whether you’re headed to the beach, the mountains, or your own backyard this July, here’s how to actually protect your energy and refuel your body, mind, and spirit while you’re away.
☀️ 1. Unplug & Be Where You Are
Your nervous system can’t rest if it’s still scrolling, refreshing, or replying. Give yourself permission to disconnect—even for a few hours. Breathe in the scenery, soak in the moment, and let stillness heal you.
Advice: turn off notifications on your watch. You don't need that thing vibrating on your wrist all day. Your body needs a break!
😴 2. Prioritize Rest
You’re not lazy. You’re depleted. Sleep in, take a nap, or simply do nothing for a bit. Your productivity isn’t a measure of your worth—especially on vacation.
Having a desire to "do nothing" does not mean something is wrong with you. Your body is simply asking for a break to put down the weight of the world you carry daily.
🌿 3. Sunshine, Fresh Air & Nature’s Pharmacy
Natural light and outdoor air recalibrate your circadian rhythm and reduce cortisol. Whether it’s a sunrise walk or toes in the sand, spend time outside to recharge.
🥗 4. Make Nutrition Part of the Experience
Healthy eating on vacation doesn’t have to be restrictive. Think vibrant salads, hydrating fruits that naturally grow in the climate you are visiting, grilled seafood, and good fats. You don’t need perfection—just intentionality.
Going on vacation shouldn't be about throwing caution into the wind and letting old habits come to the surface. It's about embracing your healthy habits as who you are ALWAYS. Again, not "restrictive", but also not falling off the wagon completely.
🧘♀️ 5. Stay Active—But Don’t Overdo It
Movement helps your mood, digestion, and sleep, but don’t fill your schedule with activities from sunup to sundown. Try an on day/off day rhythm: hike one day, lounge by the pool the next.
*This applies to a typical vacation. If you are going on a run-cation or on a grand adventure that you've had to train for, this is a different conversation that revolves around proper fuel and hydration needs per the activity.
🧳 6. Pack Your Wellness Must-Haves
Bring your favorite herbal tea, your energy-boosting supplements, healthy snacks, magnesium for sleep, or whatever helps you feel most like you. Little comforts go a long way in unfamiliar places.
💧 7. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
Especially if you're flying—dehydration equals fatigue, headaches, and poor digestion. Add electrolytes, sip often, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Hydration is healing.
On long flights especially, drink more water than you think. I promise, this will do wonder in how you feel on the other side.
💬 Ready to Protect Your Energy Long-Term?
Vacation is a powerful reset, but true healing happens when we learn to carry these habits into everyday life. That’s exactly what we do in the Get Your Spark Back program—build real-life, sustainable strategies for energy, calm, and clarity.
✨ If you're ready to keep this vacation energy going all year, let’s talk. Text “SPARK” to 704-765-0887 or schedule your summer wellness strategy call:
Energetically,
Dr. Lexi
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