After months of planning, it’s finally here – the trip you’ve been looking forward to, and needing. No matter how excited you are for your expedition, travel does come with some concessions. Before you leave, take time to prepare your body, mind, and carry-on for potential disruptors to your symbiotic state.
1. Prepare Your Body Weeks in Advance
Your planning process has been detailed since the idea of your trip emerged. Thoughtful and strategic travel planning is smart, ensuring no detail is left out. Honor your body like you do your vacation days and prepare for balance.
If your current state could use a reset, the weeks before traveling are a great time to reestablish a baseline. Strengthen your gut and immune system with a probiotic routine at least a week before your trip. Look for a probiotic with multiple strains to provide biodiversity.
Increase your fiber intake primarily through foods, which are more easily recognized by the body. Oftentimes, when you travel, especially in Europe, local foods are easily digested. This is because other countries’ nutritional habits and regulations differ from those in the United States.
Transition away from processed foods and getting fiber only from supplements. Foods like oats and bananas are easy on the stomach, while yogurt provides balance and a tasty tang.
Incorporate a UTI supplement to support urinary health and prevent UTI-causing bacteria from ruining your trip. Recommended by urologists, this type of supplement helps the body naturally flush away bacteria. Travel timing, nutrition, and environmental factors can cause UTIs, so reset your baseline and give your body much-needed urinary support.
2. Pack Like a Pro
Expert travelers already have their clothes-rolling, packing cube, and liquid storage game down. However, packing for well-being and balance requires some creativity.
Consider your stateside routine and how you can facilitate a comfortable baseline away from home. Identify sleep essentials that are travel-ready. A weighted eye mask, packable pillow, and soothing white noise make rest achievable.
Pack a carry-on-friendly wellness kit that includes what you need during transit. Crystallized ginger pulls double duty as a treat and anti-nausea support. Individually-packed prunes keep the digestive system regular and can get past security.
Keep supplements in your carry-on or purse, in case your luggage is misplaced. This way, if disaster strikes, your less replaceable items are safe. Include travel-size, unscented feminine wipes to stay fresh and whisk away bacteria.
If you’re anticipating your cycle while traveling, pack plenty of backups and spare undergarments. Sweat, dirt, and new environments invite bacteria, so replace feminine hygiene products frequently. Opt for breathable cotton undergarments for travel comfort and cooling airflow.
3. Make Mornings Smoother than TSA Pre-Check
The temptation to sleep in is real, but studies have shown that sleep regularity is just as important as length. Target a consistent sleeping and waking schedule that supports your well-being and travel plans. Initially, this might seem like a challenge, but don’t fret.
While you’re traveling, you don’t have the same commitments you do at home. Use the time you’d otherwise be cooking and cleaning to wind down for bed. You may find that you get the best sleep while away from home, thanks to fewer distractions and responsibilities.
Start your morning with a full glass of water before sipping coffee or breaking your fast. By hydrating your body, you’re giving your organs what they need to wake up and digest your breakfast. Add a hydration powder that provides your body with electrolytes and enhances overall digestion and nutrient absorption.
In powder form, these make packing easier and convenient. Look for options without unnecessary sugar to get the best benefits without the glucose spike. Take your morning supplements as instructed, using a pill organizer to stay on track.
Finally, bring a reusable water bottle and refill it often. Pack lightly and fill it with hydration packs when you go through airport security to save space and avoid confiscation. Pay attention to potential cues for dehydration, like dizziness, constipation, and headaches, and rehydrate often.
4. Fill in the Gaps Time Zones, Cuisine, and Adventures Create
Adjusting your body to travel is challenging, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fill the gaps. Keep digestion moving despite new cuisines with a walk after dinner. Not only will you aid digestion, but you’ll also explore your destination and put glucose to good use.
Pay attention to your body’s cues for bathroom needs, and beyond. While you may prefer to use the restroom at your hotel, skipping breaks can be detrimental. Constipation is not only uncomfortable, but when you finally go, it can cause major issues.
Make digestion more comfortable and avoid problems and bloating by eating smaller meals. Share plates with travel companions to sample more cuisine and reduce the temptation to overeat.
Incorporate fiber-rich vegetables, hydrating beverages, and soups with meals as you explore local fare. You’ll feel more satiated, balanced, and comfortable when your vacation diet supports your body and tastes. Wind down after meals with a warm tea to relax and aid digestion.
Read Also: Maintaining Optimal Oral Health: Tips and Techniques
Revel in the Magic of Your Trip, Without Sacrificing Wellbeing
Travel is a departure from your routine, which is never a bad thing. Step away from the ordinary and enjoy every moment of your trip, but don’t lose sight of your body’s needs. Establish a reliable and simple routine that nurtures your core needs like hydration, pH balance, and digestive health.
If you find yourself off-balance, return to your rituals, rest, and resist worry – your body is resilient. When your body is balanced while traveling, you’ll be more present, comfortable, and restored. Back at home, keep your balanced routine going to make readjusting into your routine easier on your body and mind.
