Summer is here, and many folks are preparing for their annual family summer vacation. Whether it’s a trip to the mountains or the beach, a trek across the country to visit family, or a relaxing week at the lake, there is much to consider when making vacation arrangements. One aspect I would like to explore is the question of how to have a healthy vacation – one that allows you to maintain your healthy, natural lifestyle away from home amidst the hustle and bustle of travel. A goal such as this certainly has its challenges, but with a little thought and preparation, it’s certainly reachable. Let’s talk about 6 tips for a healthy vacation that will help you stay on track, health-wise, even while you’re on the road.
1. Healthy Vacation – Air Quality
Most of us have concerns about the quality of the air in our homes, especially if there are family members with allergies. And when traveling in a vehicle or airplane for an extended period, or staying in tight quarters such as a hotel room, the issue of air quality is just as critical, if not more so. I highly suggest using a car air ionizer that plugs right into the cigarette lighter and can be placed on the dashboard to provide fresh, clean air while you travel. It’s also a good idea to have a larger, but portable, home unit that you can use in the motel room or in that musty, yet beautiful, cabin by the lake. Many of these machines are highly effective at filtering out allergens and other pollutants, making them ideal for eliminating odors or musty smells that you may encounter during your trip. I suggest using an air purifier that is primarily based on an ionizing system, which includes a UV germ-killing lamp and a fan that circulates the ions, and has no filters to worry about. A little ozone is all right, but too much, especially from older-style ozonaters that use glass plates, can be very irritating to some people’s lungs. This old technology emits substances called nitrogen oxides, which can cause headaches and other unpleasant symptoms in some individuals as well. When traveling by plane, consider wearing individual air purifiers around your neck. These individual air purifiers are inexpensive and well worth the purchase.
2. Healthy Vacation – Water Quality
The next issue is your water supply while on the road. This includes the water you will drink and cook with, as well as the water used for bathing and showering. The options are many. When traveling, the best solution is to bring along some purified water from your home filtration system, preferably in glass containers. You don’t want water in plastic jugs or bottles that will be left in a hot car. Plastics, especially in the summer heat, can leach harmful chemicals into the water. You can opt for commercial bottled water, but it’s a gamble when it comes to water quality. Many studies have found that bottled water, even when sold in glass containers, is often sourced directly from municipal water systems. The industry is not very well-regulated, so be cautious when interpreting information on labels. Another option is to bring and use a water filtration pitcher or carafe to provide your family with clean water. The only concern with this is that most of them hold only a gallon or two. However, for purifying water for cooking or meals, a water filter carafe becomes very efficient and useful. Another investment you might want to make is a water bottle for each family member with a built-in filter. Whatever your choice, ensure that you have plenty of good, fresh water available at all times, especially when the weather is hot and/or you are physically active.
Once you stop for the night or arrive at your destination, you need to consider the water you will use for bathing and showering. This can be a concern with specific models of shower water filters. Many establishments might be a bit upset if you engage in a bit of creative plumbing by changing the shower head in their bathroom during your stay. There are filtering units available that are especially designed for travel applications, and you might want to consider investing in one. The amount of chemicals and toxins that can be absorbed from just one shower using unfiltered water is alarming.
If you are engaging in primitive camping and will be obtaining your water from a pump or a spring with unknown water quality, I recommend filtering it through a water filter carafe and then boiling it for added safety. Not all filtration systems effectively remove some bacterial contaminants, so boiling the water is a good idea.
3. Healthy Vacation – Food
This is a big one. Eating healthy on the road doesn’t just happen. It requires a great deal of planning and forethought. Hit the health food store and/or farmers market the day before you leave and stock up on whole, nutritious foods to munch on while on your vacation trek. Lots of fruit, fresh vegetables, whole grain snacks, nuts, health bars, and other munchies will keep your diet healthy, and save time and money because you will not have to stop at a restaurant. When it comes to a healthy meal, the choices in most restaurants are very limited (expensive and fattening fast food). Eating junk like that can make you sluggish and lethargic when you need lots of energy to enjoy yourself. It can also throw your whole system out of whack and probably cause you to put on a few pounds as well. If you have developed the discipline to eat well at home, don’t give in to the temptation and go back to your old habits just because you are on vacation. Bring along a large cooler to keep your perishable foods. A cold piece of fruit can taste pretty good on a hot day, especially during a long drive or after a vigorous hike.
It’s also best to stay at a hotel that offers your own cooking facilities. This gives you a lot more control over your food choices and can save you a significant amount of money, to boot. However, I realize this is not always possible. If you must eat out, choose wisely. Salad bars are a good option and will provide some fairly healthy choices. Hopefully, you can find one that doesn’t add MSG or other preservatives to its vegetables. Don’t be afraid to ask! Choosing foods like baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, and fresh veggie or fruit salads will be the healthiest. If you stock up on vegetables and fruit at the grocery store, remember to wash them thoroughly. Organic sources may be difficult to come by while traveling.
4. Healthy Vacation – Sunburn Protection
Chances are, while on vacation, you’ll be spending quite a bit of time outdoors. Being proactive about protecting yourself and your family from the damaging effects of prolonged sun exposure is crucial. An effective, natural, and organic sunscreen that doesn’t expose you to dangerous chemicals is a must. Remember that whatever you put on your skin can be absorbed into your body. Sunscreens are generally classified into two major types: chemical and physical. You don’t want a “chemical” sunscreen. They act by absorbing UV radiation from the sun, which can be very damaging and dangerous to your skin. It stimulates the production of free radicals, which can be highly destructive. The best types of sunscreens are the “physical” varieties, which act by reflecting UV rays. But even physical sunscreens can contain harsh chemicals, so choose wisely and read the ingredients before purchasing. Any ingredients that have long names that sound like they came out of a chemistry textbook are probably not something you want to apply to your skin or that of your children. There are some excellent natural products available that can not only protect your skin but also nourish and moisturize it. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s safe sunscreen recommendations. If you’re using a non-toxic, effective product, you can apply it often to ensure protection. It’s also a good idea to limit your time in the sun during the peak hours of exposure, typically 10am to 2pm. Wearing protective clothing is always a good idea, too. Vacation is a great opportunity to wear that floppy hat you keep on the closet shelf the rest of the year!
5. Healthy Vacation – Those Pesky Bugs!
Mosquitoes, gnats, and other varmints can be extremely annoying and, if they are bothersome enough, can ruin a day outdoors. Exposing yourself to bug bites is a health hazard, as West Nile virus, Meningitis, and other critical illnesses are spread by mosquitoes. Tics are also a significant concern in many parts of the country, as is Lyme disease, which we must take seriously. There are some excellent, safe, and natural products on the market that act as effective bug repellents. However, always read the ingredient list of any product you use, especially if you are applying it to your children. Avoid products containing DEET as an ingredient. It works, but there are better, natural alternatives available that are non-toxic. Some remedies that many people have had success with include supplementing with B-complex vitamins (at least a couple of weeks before vacation), eating raw garlic daily, or applying an all-natural bug repellent made with essential oils. It’s also a good idea to stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. If you spend much of your day outdoors or vacationing in heavily wooded areas, perform a tick check on yourself, your children, and even your pets at least once a day.
6. Healthy Vacation – Keep Up Your Health and Wellness Routine
Vacations are vital, especially so we can “get away from it all” to rest and refresh. However, what you don’t want to do is totally distance yourself from the healthy habits that you have taken time and effort to acquire. If you are using a regimen of nutritional supplements, bring them along and make sure you continue to take everything according to schedule. A high-quality probiotic, prebiotic, and digestive enzymes are very important for those times when your system doesn’t adjust well to new foods, water, etc. If you have a regular workout routine, try to maintain it during your vacation as best you can. Of course, you can substitute other activities for your usual exercise program. For example, if you hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, I don’t think it would be necessary to go jogging that night.
The important thing to remember about vacations is that they can be wonderfully refreshing and restorative to your body, mind, and spirit. Still, we shouldn’t take a vacation from taking care of ourselves just because we are away from our everyday routine. If you continue to treat your body well, a vacation will be another step towards wellness that can help you feel more rested and prepared for the challenges that await you in everyday life.
BONUS HEALTHY VACATION TIP – VACATION NATURAL MEDICINE CHEST
For those health concerns that may arise while away from home, why not assemble a vacation natural medicine kit? Include high-quality supplements, healthy skin care products, vitamins, etc., that your family normally uses. Taking the time and forethought to do this could help you avoid an Urgent Care situation. The following are some items that I use and recommend for your vacation natural medicine chest.
- Non-toxic Sunscreen
- Non-toxic After-Sun Lotion
- Arnica Gel for injuries, falls, bruises, and other related conditions.
- Activated Charcoal tablets for food poisoning, nausea, etc.
- Oxy-Powder Oxygen Cleanser for constipation or digestive issues.
- Digestive Enzymes to help digest meals properly.
- High-quality probiotic and prebiotic.
- Vitamin C.
- Calcium and magnesium for overworked muscles, headaches, and improved sleep.
- Peppermint tea for an upset stomach.
- Chamomile Tea for relaxing sleep.
- Colloidal Silver Spray for skin issues, bug bites, and sunburn. Anti-bacterial and anti-viral.
- Epsom Salts for a relaxing bath.
- Essential Oils for relaxation, headaches, and congestion. I recommend Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Rosemary, and Peppermint.
- Non-toxic wipes.
- Non-toxic Hand sanitizer.
- Band-aids, gauze, and tape.
- Non-toxic room sanitizer spray.
- Non-toxic mosquito repellent.
Finally…
While on vacation, it’s easy to fall off the health wagon, filled with all its organic vegetables, fruits, vitamins, minerals, herbal teas, and healthy proteins. Don’t beat yourself up…all is not lost. The solution is to be prepared and not over-stress. A little indulgence is okay and can be fun for the entire family, especially if that indulgence includes experiencing the local culture. You can always get everyone back on track the next day.
Stress is such an enemy of vacation, and it’s best to avoid it at all costs. Vacation is a time to refresh, relax, and rejuvenate. Don’t beat yourself up (or anyone else) if you don’t adhere to your usual healthy regimen for a meal or snack. Make the best health choices you can, and above all, be present, be thankful, and have fun!
RESOURCES
Natural Sunburn Relief – OAWHealth.com.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.
