How to Stay Healthy on Holiday

Mid year getaways can be good for the soul, but what about your health?

Tuesday, July 5, 2016 — You’re all packed for the beach, the bach or perhaps a shopping trip of a lifetime—however—a dream holiday can also be wrapped up in the guilt of over-indulgence: Eating out for every meal, lack of exercise, exposing winter skin to the elements and being lured by foods you wouldn’t usually touch. They may be short-term temptations, but they’re excesses that can play internal and external havoc.

While few would want to put limits on getaway goodies, there’s some pre-destination preparation that can be done to help your digestive system ease into the party food and drinks that await—and help to restore the balance once you’re back home.

Try these tips to ensure you are supported during your holiday, inside and out:

The Ultimate Travel Kit

Pack these healthy living essentials before you go, as recommended by naturopath Karin Spicer:

Digestive Enzymes

If you’re guilty of overindulging when you’re in holiday mode—particularly on foods you normally struggle to digest—digestive enzymes could help. Before eating a meal that you fear might come back to haunt you later, take some digestive enzymes. Or if the damage is done (and you’re regretting eating that extra helping) enzymes can help with digestion and that uncomfortable “I’ve eaten way too much” feeling.

Aloe Vera

Poor food choices and over-indulgence can lead to out-of-balance bowel flora and digestion. This can then create bloating: those “dodgy” stomach feelings, irregular bowel movements–or none at all. Aloe Vera soothes the lining of the stomach and intestines to support smooth and natural digestion, while helping to maintain the health of intestinal bacteria.

Astaxanthin

If you’re heading off on a sunshine-filled, tropical getaway, or an action-packed, tramping adventure, start taking Astaxanthin a few weeks before you leave. Stronger and more versatile that Beta Carotene, Vitamin E and more than 60 times stronger than vitamin C, studies have shown that this antioxidant Astaxanthin is the champion of the carotenoids. Not only can it help with fast muscle recovery and aches and pains, it may also help limit sunburn.

Aloe Vera Gel

If you happen to doze off by the poolside and soak up a little too many rays then reach for some Aloe Vera Gel. Applied topically, it helps cool and soothe the skin, and can also help to heal and used to treat minor scrapes and abrasions.

Spirulina

If your energy levels are low after a busy day of shopping and sightseeing, spirulina can help provide that much-needed energy boost, support increased energy demands, as well as muscle recovery. Look for tablets that are ideal for travelling.

Probiotics

High quality probiotics help boost beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, which helps with digestion. Look for a “true potency” variety, which doesn't need to be refrigerated, making it easy to take them with you, no matter where you roam.