10 Travel Tips for the Healthy Traveller
You won’t believe it - I just stumbled across this blog post I wrote back in 2013! I can’t believe it’s over 6 years old, crazy. Anyway, I couldn’t agree with the six year younger me! Here’s my past and present top 10 tips for staying healthy over the festive season.
I’ve lived abroad and travelled a lot, whether it’s driving across different states in Aus, taking my three kiddies to third world countries, or travelling in style, I've worked out a few key travel ‘rules’ that work for me. They keep me healthy & energised.
I know not everyone loves travelling, but I do! Travelling is so exciting & exotic - it’s nothing in particular that makes it so; just the whole shebang really. Maybe it’s being commitment & work-free, maybe it’s also the change in culture, language, people and of course, the food, that’s most alluring. Travelling is also a time when you’re out of your comfort zone, in unfamiliar territory & out of routine, which can make it tough to eat healthy foods, keep colds & flus at bay & sleep well.
My 10 Travel Tips for the Healthy Traveller:
1. Let go
Embrace the cultural changes – whether it’s the food, people or language (no, I cannot speak a word of French beyond “merci”, which I use in every country as a result.
Do as the locals do, sleep when the locals sleep and eat what the locals eat, when they eat.
Even if the local cuisine isn't exactly at the top of your list of healthy foods, relax and enjoy it. You’ll enjoy yourself more (and your stress hormones will thank you) if you let go of the guilt and embrace the best each destination has to offer, and there’s always healthier swaps/options you can find, or jump on google and find foods/restaurant that meets your dietary needs/wants!
2. Herbal Medicine
Take some herbal teas with you, especially ones that reduce bloating & nausea and aid digestion. The best ones for these are peppermint & licorice, fennel, ginger, green tea, rooibos & chamomile.
3. Digestive Enzymes
These babies support the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins; breaking foods down into easily absorbable nutrients. They are useful in reducing bloating & cramps, supporting colon health and aiding digestion. Take one capsule with each main meal.
Digestive enzymes are great for helping you get Rule 1 right!
Or enjoy a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, diluted in water, 5-10 minutes before a carbohydrate-rich meal, which can naturally increase digestive enzymes and help reduce the glucose spike by over 20%.
4. Take Home-made Snacks
There’s something secretly satisfying about making everyone else in cattle class jealous of you when you casually pull out your well-equipped, delicious picnic to munch on throughout the flight. Nothing beats snacks that have a good hit of protein to regulate blood sugar levels and help with energy, they’re so good on a long car trip, too. Opt for nutrient-dense snacks like nuts, seeds, fresh fruit, veggie sticks/crackers, oat cakes, hummus, good quality muesli bars (I love the Blue Dinosaur Paleo Bars or Eclipse Bars)
5. Probiotics
Ideally, try to eat probiotic rich foods like miso, olives, sauerkraut, yoghurt, kombucha, etc. or take some probiotics with you as they recolonise ‘good’ gut bacteria, strengthen gut lining , reduce constipation & diarrhoea & modulate immune function.
6. Find local farmers markets
Consult Google & Trip Advisor to research your local health food stores & farmers’ markers so that you can stock up on the essentials when you arrive. And don’t forget to book some cafes or restaurants that serve authentic, healthy and seasonal food.
7. Homeopathic Remedies
I always take a couple of homeopathic travel remedy with me and a few essential oils.
My three ‘must-have’ homeopathic medicines for travel would be would be three A’s: Aconite, Arnica and Arsenicum
Aconite for shock, trauma and the first signs of a colds/flu or feeling ‘off’.
Arnica is indicated for preventing jet lag (take 2 drops/pills every 3-4 hours(, as well as shock & trauma; if you or anyone you’re travelling with is accident prone, maybe even uncoordinated (you know, falls off a bike & rips open their knee like this very talented Naturopath did) then this is a must. Arnica is indicated for any soft tissue injury; bumps, grazes, swelling and pain.
Arsenicum alb - for ‘traveller’s diarrhoea’, suspected food poisoning, vomiting and diarrhoea. Also for sharp headaches and irritability/anxiety.
8. Downward Dog
Busting out a few yoga poses at the beginning or end of the day is incredible for increasing circulation, reducing inflammation, regulating energy levels & balancing your nervous system.
Yoga improves your flexibility, strength & balance. I promise you, it can be practiced anywhere – from your grubby hostel floor to the sand dunes in the Sahara desert. Just few minutes a day can make a difference.
9. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Keep your fluids up – drink as much water, herbal tea, fresh juice/smoothies as you can. It’ll support your liver, cleanse your kidneys & help flush out toxins.
10. Get Down & Dirty
Every so often cast your shoes aside & walk barefoot. Allow yourself to connect with the Earth – it’s actually called Earthing. I know, I know, it’s something you can imagine a long haired, tie-dye wearing hippy saying. There’s nothing like getting back to nature, especially when you’re on holidays. Forcing yourself to stand or walk barefoot on grass or the beach allows you to connect with the earth, balance your nervous system & support your circadian rhythm. Just try it. Get your shoes off, take a stroll, find a nice tree to curl up under & take a nanna nap.
As always, this is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice or intended to diagnose or treat. Speak to your health practitioner for personalised health advice.