Since arriving in Portugal, I’ve been feeling torn.

Life has been busy and complicated lately, and I know my body and brain need a good rest.

My plan was to go away, relax, get some self-care points in the bag, and have some much-needed reflection time.

But, my inner explorer keeps trying to lure me away from this into adventure mode!

So, I’ve compromised, alternating each day. A day of exploring, followed by a day of rest and relaxation.

Making the Most of the Hotel Amenities

Thankfully the facilities at the hotel are great. The hotel has a gym, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, and a spa. So I don’t have to wander far from my apartment to enjoy some of these luxuries.

Yesterday was my first proper relaxation day. After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel restaurant, I headed back to my apartment to do some writing. Then it was time to check out the gym!

I’d never stepped inside a gym on my holidays before. But as I become more aware of looking after my physical and mental health, I was determined to make the most of it.

Conquering the Gym (On Holiday!)

Luckily, I had the gym to myself (I’m not a fan of busy gyms full of posers!).

I didn’t go too crazy, as I haven’t used a gym in around 3 years. I had a good spell on the treadmill and the exercise bike. I even squeezed in a few reps on the lat pull-down machine.

I still managed to work up a sweat and left the gym feeling really good.

After my gym session I headed back to my apartment for a light lunch. I had booked a full-body massage for the afternoon and I couldn’t wait!

Indulging in Some Spa Pampering

I don’t remember the last time I had a full body massage. I normally have a deep tissue back massage to sort out the terrible knots I get in my back! But it was lovely and it felt great to switch off and relax. I must’ve fallen asleep a couple of times, as I remember dreaming once or twice! My only criticism was that the lady was too gentle. I like someone to really work on my knots when I’m getting a massage. But it made me relax, and it felt good to lie there and enjoy being pampered.

After my massage, I chilled by the pool before heading inside to get myself ready for dinner.

Finding the Balance Between Rest and Adventure

It’s very easy on holiday to spend every waking moment on the go, and that’s understandable. If you’re anything like me, you spend all year saving for your holiday. So, when you finally get away, you want to make the most out of it. But, it’s also easy to return home more tired than you were before you left. The last thing I want is to go back to work next week still feeling exhausted.

It’s been a tough lesson, but I’m starting to learn that downtime is just as valuable as exploration. It’s about striking a balance so I don’t return feeling more worn out than before.

While it’s tempting to explore every corner of this beautiful country, the key to a truly refreshing holiday is knowing when to embrace the rest my body needs.