Don't Lick The Door Knob and Other Wellness Tips To Follow While Traveling
Photograph by Amy McBride
Everyone travels. Whether you’re touring, visiting a new land to source raw materials, calling on clients, visiting family or perhaps lucky enough to be taking a vacation, in any scenario, you’re putting your body in a different routine and environment that will imbalance your immune system. It’s a drag to get sick right before leaving town and it’s even worse to get sick when you’re not in the comfort of your own home. You want to make sure you’re strong and healthy while you’re away so you can maintain peak energy and function at your best.
Assuming you’re not licking door knobs in the restroom, or licking your hands after touching the doorknob, you should remain in pretty good standing. Bacteria is on all surfaces, and the kind of bacteria determines how long it will live. Germs can be present on a surface for anywhere from 72 hours to four weeks. That’s a huge timespan that you’re bound to scoop up some germs. But that’s ok. Since touching things is unavoidable, cleaning your hands is something you do have control over. Additionally, if you simply refrain from picking your nose, rubbing your eyes (after that glorious slumber you’re sure not to have on the plane) or biting your nails (the turbulence is normal!), you should do a supremely good job at keeping a majority of bacteria from entering into your system.
Other general precautions you can take are getting enough sleep, drinking enough water and eating real food. You can also partake in some travel-friendly natural remedies that are easy to use and effectively support your immune system.
SLEEP
When you’re at rest, your body is most active. The longer you’re asleep, the more time your body can focus on healing and repairing damaged cells. For an extreme example, think comatose patients. Right? They’re out and their body is working overtime trying to get itself back on track and ready to support a person in an active state.
WATER
Water and lymph production/flow go hand in hand. And what does lymph do, you might wonder? Lymph is a transporter, circulating your white blood cells and nutrients to your tissues, much like a taxi. Lymph also collects toxins, removing them from the blood. Water is required for the production of lymph, and movement aids in the circulation of lymph. Have you ever had a massage, and before leaving, the therapist tells you to drink lots of water? That’s because the massage manually stimulated lymph flow, getting the toxins buckled up for the ride out of your body. And the water is essential in assisting with the detoxification process.
FOOD
Eating real food will keep you healthy. Or… I’ll say it this way. Eating sugar-laden, processed “food” made of chemicals, numbers and colours (FD&C Red 40) will make you sick. Limit foods that come in cardboard or plastic. Unless it’s a plastic bag filled with baby carrots. Science has brought us many tremendous things - the food products that have been created by man for your convenience is not one of them. Opt for a snack assortment of veg, nuts, a bit of fruit, some protein from meat or cheese or even a plant-based or grass-fed whey protein shake. Buy a packet and mix it with a bottle of milk or water that you can easily purchase anywhere at an airport. Use a piece of paper as a funnel so you don’t lose any powder. And put that Clif Bar away, those things are nasty too.
REMEDIES
Interested in a few compact, easy to use, travel friendly items to keep your body strong?Check out some of my favourites. And P.S. I’m not paid to advertise these - recommending health related products is just in my blood.
Protect by Sambuca Modern Apothecary is a must! USDA organic certified pure essential oils in a jojoba base can be inhaled and applied to pulse points. This essential oil blends cinnamon, cloves, lemon, rosemary and eucalyptus. It was created based on the protective concoction used by thieves during the Black Plague. It's highly antibacterial, antiviral and anti-infectious.
Lozenges by Redd Remedies are awesome! They assist in clearing respiratory passages, soothe the throat with natural menthol vapors and are made with herbs and pure essential oils. Ravintsara is in this blend and I am obsessed with it! It’s special because it’s protective against the flu and colds and a myriad of respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and tonsillitis. Having this in your system, along with the other intentionally selected ingredients, will help to cover your bases.
Kick-Ass Immune by WishGarden Herbs is their best seller! Their powerful team of immune, respiratory and lymphatic herbals support your body’s natural resistance. People love how fast it works in the body!
Be well, friends!
