Holiday Travel Bag

Natural Lifestyle © Natural Lifestyle June 2005 in connection with Natural Health Week

Going on holiday is an exciting time - once everything is packed! Our healthy holiday checklist will help you have a holiday with a difference...

Everyone looks forward to a well-deserved holiday. Have you been holding onto the hope of some time relaxing, away from the humdrum of home, being in a new environment, and seeing some new sights? It's hardly surprising, then, that we want our holidays to go without any hiccups, which is why it's so important to do plenty of preparation....And there are some wonderful alternatives to conventional products.

Get your gut prepared!

If you want to avoid a dodgy digestive system while you're away, you should take time to build up good levels of friendly bacteria in your digestive system. The easy way is to take a supplement including acidophilus and bifidobacteria, in the weeks leading up to your holiday. There is no reason why you shouldn't take a probiotic drink or yoghurt in addition.

Building up levels of good bacteria will increase resistance to the effects of a change in diet, stress (leading up to a holiday) and drinking water supply. On this note, always make sure that you take a couple of bottles of drinking water in your luggage - just in case the water is foul when you get there. Don't forget to pack your favourite drink. We're renowned for complaining about a lack of decent tea, so take a box of organic breakfast tea with you! This should be permitted in most countries, but if you're unsure, contact your travel agent.

Sick of travelling?

Have you ever sat in a car, on a train, on a boat or a plane feeling really, really sick? This awful feeling is caused by conflicting messages being sent to the brain by the eyes, stomach and the organs of balance in the ears.

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If you are prone to travel sickness, eat a light carbohydrate meal before travelling (such as cereal, toast, rice cakes or pasta), avoid greasy food and alcohol and before travelling take anti-motion sickness remedies according to the instructions. There are a number of natural remedies available such as ginger, (as capsules or tablets) or peppermint capsules. Products which work on acupressure points (often as a wrist band) are popular, and work by nerves carrying pressure messages which reach the brain faster than other messages such as pain or nausea.

You clot!

It might be quiet in the media, but Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is still a concern for people with any risk of blood clotting. Taking a low dose aspirin before the flight can help, as can graduated flight socks which compress the foot, ankle and calf (otherwise, wear loose clothing). Think ahead and, if you need to, book an aisle seat in advance so you have room to move. Three months before you go away, consider supplementing with 800iu daily of vitamin E, to help thin the blood (check with your GP first if you are on anticoagulant medication).

Irritating insects!

Here we have it... the downside to exotic places. Malaria is a risk in more than 100 countries, and other flying insects (which can be really irritating) are almost everywhere on the planet. The solution? repellents - which include agents that insects find repulsive. Naturopaths have been recommending natural remedies for years. Vitamin B1, in high intakes of around 80-100mg daily (for at least a month), makes the blood distasteful. Natural insect repellents don't contain any harsh chemical ingredients which could irritate sensitive skin. Instead, they might use essential oils such as mint, basil, thyme and a lemon (or include citridiol) or eucalyptus. Some are suitable for babies (but check the product labels to make sure). If you do get bitten, use calamine lotion and ice. Menthol spray reduces itching and arnica reduces inflammation. Pyrethrum is also a homeopathic remedy which can be used to relieve insect bites and stings (pain and inflammation).

Sun-worshippers survival kit

If you love the sun on your skin, it's vital that you apply sun lotions to prevent skin damage - especially between 11am and 3pm.

30 days before you go away, supplement with a carotenoid formula (look for the word Betatene). This can give your skin a natural sun protection factor (SPF) of between 2 and 4. Don't forget to use high quality sun lotions - with an SPF of at least 15. Health stores stock sun lotions which are organically made. These are ideal for people who have highly sensitive skin, or who want to use more natural ingredients. Don't forget to protect your lips! Some balms found in health stores now also have an SPF of 15 to 18 and could even be tinted so you wear it like a lipstick!

Cool it!

It takes, on average, three days for people to relax when they go on holiday. It seems that many of us are so held together with pent-up stress, that it takes a while to downshift our bodies and our minds. It's time for action!

To calm: Mandarin essential oil is a very safe oil and can be used for children, the elderly and pregnant women (use two to three drops on a handkerchief). With Ginger, it's great for travel sickness.

To relax: Salt brush with Dead Sea salts. This will help to give you healthy, glowing skin and will help your muscles to relax.

For muscle tension: There are all kinds of natural muscle rubs, including warming essential oils, menthol and conditioning oils. Not to be missed!

Don't forget...

Refresh!... Don't forget your crystal-based deodorant, or those enhanced with essential oils. Lemon ones are good, as they are naturally insect-repellent! Take a couple of natural face packs with you for a relaxing afternoon in.

Have a great drink... Make the most of the hot weather by drinking lots of cordials, squashes and flavoured waters. Avoid carbonated drinks (high sugar, high acid). Try to drink at least 10 glasses of water-based drinks each day.

On the move munchies... Healthy snacks just can't be beaten. Go for packaged cereal bars, nut bars, low salt crisps or vegetable chips. Rice cakes and crackers are great too. Some countries/airlines are very fussy about open packets of food, so finish them before you leave the UK.

A new start?... Why not have a holiday with a difference. Without the hassles of being at home, it's a great opportunity to resolve to eat better, drink more water, eat simple and easy to digest foods and even, perhaps, do a detox. Take a 3 day detox kit with you - which will make it easy to implement.