Tips to stay health on your next holiday
Lets face it you’ve earned a holiday but how do you make sure that you stay healthy and enjoy it?
It’s a time to explore, relax and rejuvenate. A time for travelers to experience the sights, sounds and culture of the destination without the normal everyday stresses of everyday life. It is a unique opportunity to indulge in wonderful local drinks and cuisines. Unfortunately, sometimes this can cause worry as you think about balancing a healthy lifestyle with all that fun.
There are some tips to help with finding the right balance making your holiday guilt-free. Healthy habits can be incorporated into your holiday whether you are in a busy city or a remote village location.
Staying active
A good start is to use the best transport available to you, it’s free, you don’t have to wait in a line and it always there. Yes, that right I like to call it “the foot falcons”, of course walking. This is a great way to really take in the sights and there are many places that have locally guided walking tours. Try to take stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible. Get
outdoors as much as you can not only will it increase your mood but will also make you want to be more active. Most hotels have a gym being a great way to stay active if you are going to be relaxing by the pool all day.
Eating choices
Getting there on a plane may only offer you salty, starchy foods making you feel sluggish by the time you get to your destination. Airlines have restrictions on what is allowable to take on board (gels and fluids) but with a little bit of forward planning you can take a long your own healthy choices. Generally solid foods like bananas, apples, trail mix, nuts carrots, celery etc. can be taken. I try and make a salad with protein to take, plus some nuts, celery, carrot sticks and hummus dip, this will ensure you won’t end up feeling dehydrated and lethargic once you arrive. Drinking water and herbal tea will also help keep you well hydrated, and remember coffee and alcohol can dehydrate so try and keep these to minimum. Of course check with your airline regulations on allowable items.
Part of experiencing the local culture is through food. Make sure you are choosing healthy options and when you are out for the day look to take snacks that will satisfy you so you won’t be tempted to grab an unhealthy option. Some accommodation will supply you with a morning fruit basket which is a great way to start the day and the leftover fruit can be taken with you on your travels. Staying hydrated is also important so find water that you can take along on your daily travels. Be aware that in some countries water can be contaminated so don’t fill water bottles from the tap and make sure the bottled water is sealed before opening it.
Natural remedies
Now you are on holidays the last thing you want is to fall sick. Sometimes this is hard to avoid despite our best efforts. Here a few items that can be helpful when travelling.
Ginger is an amazing herb as it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It also has been used for nausea, upset tummy and congestion. Try and find some ginger chews and when you get to your destination by some fresh and use as a tea in the morning.
Probiotics can help maintain healthy gut flora to keep your digestive system working and support your immune system. Check with your pharmacist or health practitioner for the best brands to take.
Echinacea is an immune-boosting herb. Before you travel taking Echinacea may help boost your immune system and continue taking while you are away. It can be taken in a liquid form (tincture) or as a tablet. When travelling a tablet form is probably the easier option. But if you do fall ill don’t stop taking it as it has been shown to lessen the duration of colds and flu.
Garlic is a useful herb to take before and during travel also. It is anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and antioxidant. Again this can be in a liquid form or tablet.
These are only a few of the natural remedies that can be beneficial when travelling. It is always a good idea to get some professional advice before embarking on your adventure.
Remember you are on holidays so try and switch off from work, this your chance to relax and rejuvenate. Try to go away when it is quiet at work otherwise you might spend the whole time worrying about what is going on back home. Getting a way and switching off is a great way to promote creativity and help us to think about new ways to get things done in our lives, be it personally, professionally or both. Enjoy!
If you are going to travel and want some more information you can contact me at fiona@yournat.com.au
Fiona has a Bachelor degree in Health Science (Naturopathy)
Information is not intended to diagnose or treat. Please consult with your health care practitioner before undertaking any advice enclosed within.