A Naturopathic Doctor’s Top Traveling Tips for the Summer
Are you traveling this summer?
Summertime is the most popular time for travel. And this can definitely be a big trigger for many gut symptoms including bloating, heartburn, and constipation. You may find your health falls to the wayside when traveling, whether falling back to old habits or straying from the normal routine. Let’s talk about some top tips when it comes to traveling to keep you feeling great.
You don’t want these symptoms to ruin your trip around the world. These are some of my top recommendations to bring when traveling and the best part is, they can fit right into your carryon or purse!
In this blog post we’re going to cover:
Why you need to stay hydrated on your trip
Helping to reduce annoying gut symptoms like bloating and heartburn
Tips on staying active
Keeping up with your normal routine
Stay hydrated
Did you know that the humidity level on planes is usually around 10-20%? This is extremely low. To put it into perspective, Arizona humidity is about 50% with their “dry heat” (if you’ve ever met someone living in AZ, you know how they like to emphasize their dry heat). The low moisture in the air pulls out water from your body, putting you more at risk for dehydration. On top of this, your mucus membranes will dry out, particularly in your sinuses and this can put you more at risk for getting sick from viruses and bacteria.
If your trip calls for spending more time in the sun or being active, make sure you’re staying hydrated. If you find yourself drinking a bit more alcohol while away, make sure you’re balancing this with some water!
Experiencing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, feeling lower energy, experiencing dry skin, mouth, and lips can all be signs of dehydration.
Carry a water bottle with you while on vacation so you don’t forget to drink water. Consider adding in electrolytes to further support your hydration level. Don’t skip the water before you hop on the plane! And make sure you’re hydrating throughout the trip. Need some other tips to stay hydrated this summer? Check out my blog post on How to Drink More Water Effortlessly Everyday.
Beat the bloat & heartburn
You may find yourself eating out more on vacation. Try to not stray from what you normally eat, and don’t overdo it. Is there a food you normally avoid that aggravates symptoms like digestive upset, heartburn, or even skin issues like eczema? Continue to avoid that food as best as you can while on vacation. You don’t want your hard-earned vacation spent on worrying about not feeling good.
I love to pack some of my favorite healthy snacks when I go on vacation to carry with me. This is best for those times when you find yourself hungry and don’t have healthy options for snacks. Some of my favorites are almond butter packets, grass-fed beef jerky, and nuts.
Sometimes it’s unavoidable and you may find yourself a bit more bloated or ending the day with heartburn. Here are some of my favorites I keep in my purse to help with bloating:
Gutsy Essential Oil by Saje
a mix of essential oils like fennel, chamomile, and peppermint for a relaxing relief to bloating, get your here.
Gas Relief by Hilma
an easy go-to travel essential to carry around with you after a meal leaving you with the feeling of being a little too inflated
Digestzymes by Designs for Health
digestive enzymes are a great way to help your body break down food to help prevent bloating and heartburn
DGL Synergy Chewable by Designs for Health
deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a great herb to help soothe and calm irritated tissues, which commonly occurs in heartburn. this can be used in place of tums
Triple Mag by Vital Nutrients
Three different forms of magnesium - magnesium glycinate, magnesium malate, and magnesium oxide. This helps to reduce anxiety, improve energy, and support constipation.
Check out my online dispensary where you can find these supplements and more, everyone gets 15% off (current clients get 20% off).
I’m sure your to-do list has nothing but “lay on the beach” which is great! I love that you have some time to chill out and use this form of self care. But you may find that you feel better by incorporating some movement into your vacation.
Try going for a walk on the beach to break up your day, visit the hotel gym, or walking and biking around town, when safe to do so, instead of hopping in an Uber. Exercising helps to support your immune system, improves your mood, and boosts energy.
Keeping up with your normal routine
A different environment means that you may stray from your normal routine. Your body loves consistency. With that being said, try to stay on your normal routine as much as you can. This may look like going to bed around the same time each night and waking at the same time each morning. But don’t forget about regularly scheduled meal times and any medications or supplements that you are consistently taking.
Your vaca may be busy, but remember not getting enough sleep can not only weaken your immune system, but throw off your circadian rhythm and increase feeling of tiredness throughout the day. That’s no fun on vacation.
Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your well-deserved vacation. You booked this vacation for some R&R. Unplug, relax, and spend time with your loved ones.
xx
