I'm afraid I've been a little slow in getting Surya off its feet since I recently ran off to France where I spent the last two weeks eating my way from Normandy beach to the Riviera. It was all white bread, cheese, pastries and wine, and though I'm certainly not complaining, in large proportions, that kind of food isn't the greatest thing for the stomach (or the waistline).
Travelling in general can easily throw a person out of balance. The constant movement of air or ground travel makes it difficult to feel grounded and settled, even when you're standing still. And attempting to strike a balance between eating habits, excercise and sleep can be difficult when you're limited to hotels, tour buses and rich restaurant food (not to mention a stunning array of French cream custards). However, coming from experience, I do have some suggestions for travellers that may help ease jet lag and the changes in routine.
Water: It's important to stay hydrated when you're on the move, and when there are so many new sights to see it's easy to forget to drink enough. Always carry a waterbottle full of fresh water (avoid sugary drinks and excessive caffine) and pack fruit. Watery fruits such as watermelon, cantelope, pineapple and oranges are especially good. Red fruits and citrus especially are loaded with vitamin C and will give your immune system a boost.
Nuts: Carrying nuts and dried fruit with you provides an easy, accessible afternoon snack that will give you a boost of energy in that dull time between lunch and dinner.
Lavender: The fragrance of lavender is especially calming for frazzled nerves. Bring a sachet of dried lavender leaves or daub some essential oil on your wrists. If you put an open bottle of lavender oil in the shower stall when you are taking a shower, the steam will heat up the oil enough to release its fragrance.
Melatonin: This is a hormone that occurs naturally in the pineal gland in the brain and helps regulate your sleep cycle. You can find it in most health food stores. Taken in small amounts, melatonin can help you recover faster from jet lag if you are travelling across time zones.
Moderation: This is a word I use often, but in this context it applies to food. Often when we travel we eat restaurant food much more often than we normally would, which is not ideal for our bodies since restaurant food tends to be richer and higher in salt, sugar and fat than home-cooked meals. If you have to eat out during your trip, I would suggest eating only half of your serving. Limit yourself to one piece of bread and make sure you order a vegetable salad before your main plate, which will discourage you from overeating. It is also helpful to order one dessert and share it between two or three people.
Bacteria: I recently discovered probiotic supplements that you can slip into a purse or backpack. In just one pill you can ingest more than 2,000,000,000 live cells of Lactobacilli and Lactococcus, the good bacteria found in yogurt and naturally occuring in your large intestine. These bacteria help digest food and also provide the seat of the majority of your immune system. Your supply can get depleated during times of stress. I find it helpful to take one probiotic supplement at least a week before you leave and then take two a day, one in the morning and one at night, during your trip. When you get back home, take one a day for another week.
Breathe: Whenever you can, take a few minutes in your hotel room to stretch, twist and take deep breaths. Stand up straight, wiggle your toes and close your eyes, focusing on grounding yourself.
I have finally just emerged from the rather intestinal process of air travel and am feeling happy to be home and back in my routine (even though I do miss the breakfast croissants and bread and cheese sandwitches).
Happy travels.
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