By Sam Ross, The Hammock Hombre
Staying healthy while travelling is not as easy at it might sound. There are so many things to consider. Your entire environment is likely to change drastically, as is your diet. Even a change in the type of water you drink can have an impact on your health. Your immune system needs to adjust to a variety of changes, all at the same time.
Air conditioning can cause health problems; then there are mosquito bites, inoculations, environmental pollution and tropical illnesses that can overload your immune system. You may feel stress from the challenge of navigating new places, and while worrying about these things over isn’t going to help that much, it makes sense to be well prepared for your travels.
Nobody wants to carry around bulging first aid kits or toiletry bags full of supplements, but it is sensible to carry a few well-chosen products and adopt some simple health practices.
Dietary requirements
You never know when you might get hungry on the move, and the kind of food you want to eat may be unavailable. It always helps to pack a few basic healthy snacks like raw energy bars. Only ever drink reputable brands of bottled or purified water, and make sure it hasn’t been left out in the sun as plastic chemicals can leach into it.
Vegans and vegetarians should download the Happy Cow app to find local eateries nearby, and it’s always good to choose clean places where you can see food being prepared. You can also check out the reputation of food venues on TripAdvisor.
Consider cooking your own food from time to time if possible, being careful to clean your vegetables properly and cook with coconut oil. Coconut oil can withstand very high temperatures without oxidizing and turning into trans fats. It has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties and contains lauric acid, which is antiviral. These properties all help your immune system to keep you healthy on the road.
Staple immunity aids
There are some products well worth carrying with you, and some can get prevent all kinds of ailments. Consider an antioxidant supplement like astaxanthin, which scavenges free radicals from pollution.
Pack probiotics to nourish your gut and keep the good bacteria proliferating to keep bugs and pathogens in check. Magnesium (chloride or citrate) is great too, as this mineral regulates all the other minerals in the body.
Emergency medical supplies
Oil of oregano is a wonder product that is antiviral, antibacterial, antibiotic and antifungal. It destroys practically every pathogen incredibly quickly, bringing your body back into alignment. It is best taken mixed with coconut oil as on its own, it is very strong and will burn.
High strength vitamin C is one of the fastest routes back to health whatever your condition. Carry quality ascorbic acid or packets of Lypo-Spheric vitamin C.
In the event of food poisoning, be careful of medications that halt the body’s natural processes. Vomiting and diarrhea are your body’s way of ejecting pathogens, and these substances can hold them inside, making more hard work for the body. Carry natural substances that destroy bacteria, such as Lugol’s iodine, activated charcoal and organic, aluminium-free bicarbonate of soda.
Sun protection
Getting sunburn is another important consideration. There are many chemicals in high street sun protection creams, which may do more harm than good. Buy Organic Coconut Oil, it has an SPF of 4, which blocks 75% off UV radiation. It also acts as a moisturizer, soothing sunburn.
Maintaining your health doesn’t have to be hard work while travelling, but these precautionary measures can make all the difference to your trip. Have fun!
Author Bio: Sam Ross runs the blog The Hammock Hombre - a travel blog focused around the digital nomad lifestyle. Over the past 3 years, he's travelled to every continent, so writes on a broad range of countries, cities and destinations.
