If you have ever thought "Ew" at your own reflection during a holiday, here are 5 ways to cope, and start giving your body the break it deserves.

There is nothing worse than making your boss give you time off, spending your savings on flights, and wanting to party with your pals on a sandy beach - to then have your brain tell you that you are only allowed to have fun if you don't eat breakfast and lunch. I've been there many times over, and have finally had enough. If you would like to enjoy your holiday, rather than worry about your body, here are 5 steps you can follow.

Why enjoying your holiday could save your life

• Rest is vital for your mental health; concentration; memory; immune system; stress levels; and mood.

• Restricted eating, malnourishment, and excessive weight loss can cause changes in our brain chemistry, increasing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

• Studies show that we can reap the benefits of a holiday on a physical, mental, and emotional level, changing our blood pressure, stress- and energy levels, sleep quality and emotional stability.

So, essentially, don't stress - I am here to explain how you can stress less about your body, and get the most out of your holiday.

Here's how, step by step:

Step 1: Throw out your scales

Your worth is not measured in numbers.

Weighing yourself enables the risk of letting the number on the scales set the tone for your day.

Our weight fluctuates constantly, and depends on i.e., water intake, muscle inflammation and sleep. So, why allow something so irregular to control your mood on your holiday?

Step 2: Stop counting calories

YOUR WORTH IS NOT MEASURED IN NUMBERS.

The age old myth of "calories in vs. calories burned = weight gain/loss" is sadly still considered to be a truth by so many people.

Research actually reveals that the whole calorie counting thing is much more complicated. How many calories we extract from food depends on what we eat, how we prepare the food, which bacteria are in our gut, how much energy we use to digest different foods, and so on and so forth. Ergo, it is literally impossible to count on calorie counting.

Your body needs nutrients and energy to survive. So, why not just enjoy whatever foods you are craving and get on with your holiday?

Step 3: Unfollow anyone on social media who makes you feel crap about yourself

Subliminal messages enter our subconscious without us realising. So, be mindful about who you allow in your virtual space.

Unfollow anyone who implies that anyone should ever change themselves or improve their appearance. Why should someone sponsored by tea that gives you diarrhoea get any kind of say in your life?

And always remember:
There is no such thing as a "beach body". A beach body is simply any body on a beach.

Step 4: Bring clothes you feel comfortable in

Don't buy clothes a size too small to have something to strive towards before your holiday.

Trust me, you will have a much better holiday if you can breathe in whatever clothes you are wearing. Having to go home early from the beach club because your blood is cut off from your brain is just not worth it.

Giving yourself grief if for not fitting into clothes is such an easy mood-killer to avoid. Clothes are meant to fit us, not the other way around.

Step 5: Practice gratitude and self-love

Understanding that you deserve to be happy regardless of what you eat/weigh/fit into is a vital step towards a better holiday.

It can be really hard to accept this, but training your brain to think like this will be the best change you will ever make for yourself.

Gratitude practice is as simple as writing down three things you are grateful for each day of your holiday. It trains your brain to search for the positive things in life, which in return will give you a more positive outlook on life in general.

Self-love on holiday can look like:

• Giving yourself a gentle massage when putting on sunscreen/aftersun (show yourself some extra love when touching areas of your body you struggle more to love)

• Telling your body that you love it and respect it

• Eating what you want when you want it

• Sleeping until you wake up naturally

• Giving yourself a break from self-judgement

• ... or whatever you want to do for yourself!

And just as a side-note... here are a few reasons to love your body:

• Your body is unique to you, and only you.

• Your body does so many amazing things for you every single day.

• Your body keeps you alive.

Now what?

Following these 5 steps will decrease self-loathing, improve self-love, and increase the fun you are going to have on your holiday!

Now go live your best life.