Maintaining Wellness While Traveling

By Dr. Alyssa DeSena

Summer and fall leading up to the holidays tend to be the most popular times for travel. As enjoyable as these excursions may be, some may worry that their health practices and successes will fall to the wayside when traveling, which can be stressful and the opposite of its intended purpose. To help ease these thoughts, let’s talk about some top tips when it comes to traveling and continuing to feel great.

Traveling By Air

The humidity level on planes is extremely low, around 10-20 percent; our homes are about 30-40 percent for comparison. This lower moisture in the air can pull water from the body, increasing our risk of dehydration. Although subtle, experiencing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and low energy as well as dry skin, mouth or lips can all be signs of dehydration. They should signal a much-needed increase in water intake.

Carrying a water bottle is a helpful reminder to drink water. Consider adding in electrolytes to further support hydration levels.

Dining Out Indulgences

When dining out, focus on not straying from what we would normally eat and don’t overindulge. If there is a food that aggravates symptoms (digestive upset, heartburn, skin issues), continue to avoid that food while on vacation; we don’t want a hard-earned vacation spent feeling unwell.

Packing isn’t just for clothes and shoes. Make sure to pack favorite healthy snacks for a quick grab-and-go. This is best for those times when becoming hungry and finding it a challenge to locate a healthy snack option; it’s not uncommon to reach for the things that make us feel uncomfortable all in the name of hunger—like going to the grocery store hungry. Some options can include almond butter packets, grass-fed beef jerky and nuts.

Movement

Being on vacation may mean the only thing on the to-do list is to lay on the beach; while it’s great just to chill out, try incorporating some movement. This doesn’t have to mean training for a triathlon; simply going for a walk on the beach to break up the day can suffice. This can also include visiting the hotel gym, or walking or biking around town when safe to do so instead of hopping in an Uber or taxi. Exercising helps to support the immune system, improves moods and boosts energy. This is especially important for those who may find themselves taking ill whenever they’re on vacation or shortly upon their return home.

DON’T RUIN THE ROUTINE

Being in a different environment already puts us in a different mindset, so deviating from the typical routine can be easy to do. If there is only one thing to focus on while away, this would be to keep relatively consistent sleep and wake times. Not getting enough sleep will not only weaken our immune system, but negatively impact the circadian rhythm by increasing the feeling of tiredness throughout the day. Who wants to be tired while they’re trying to enjoy all the details of their vacation?

Most of all, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy a well-deserved vacation. It certainly was meant for some R&R! So unplug, relax and spend time with loved ones.

Dr. Alyssa DeSena is a Connecticutlicensed naturopathic doctor at Soleil Acupuncture + Naturopathic Wellness in Hamden, CT. She specializes in hormone and digestive health. Connect at 203-8713262 or Admin@SoleilHolistic.com.