How to stay on top of your gut health next holiday
Do you notice a difference in the quality of your digestion when you go on holiday? Here are some reasons WHY your gut might struggle away from home, plus five tips to prevent any upset.
_________________________________________________________________________
Our digestive systems LOVE routine, so when we leave that routine it tends to disturb its functioning.
When we venture away from the comforts of home in search of either a warmer or cooler climate, different soil, air, water and so forth, we are asking our digestive system to adapt. This process can take a few days but with the right support it’s absolutely possible.
It is common to feel bloated, constipated or irregular after travelling. Most modes of transport aggravate vata dosha (comprised predominantly of air and space elements), especially aeroplanes which also tend to cause dehydration and dryness in the body.
Let’s look at some more factors that contribute to poor gut health whilst travelling…
When we are exposed to another country’s soil, it demands certain microbes in our gut to digest the food it grows. We may be lacking a broad enough spectrum of gut bacteria to accomplish this task, which is why supplementing with probiotics and digestive enzymes can be useful (but temporary) tools when travelling overseas.
We may be arriving at a different season altogether! Therefore the various fruits and vegetables growing in the new climate may be different to the ones we were eating at home. This seriously disturbs the intelligence of our gut cells which rely on the rhythm of nature to function optimally. Taking them away from their natural environment shocks and forces them to adapt.
Let’s also consider the weather. If you are leaving winter at home and arriving in a tropical climate, you can expect your digestion to be weaker. This is because our agni (digestive fire) directs inwards to thermal regulate and prioritise the functioning of our vital organs when it is cold outside. The opposite occurs when it is warmer; our internal fire spreads and disperses throughout our limbs, regulating the body’s temperature in the opposite way.
We are in constant union with nature. When that relationship is altered, it makes sense that our digestion alters too.
Timing is another important factor. When at home, we are usually following a predictable rhythm of eating and sleeping. When this tempo changes, it can disrupt the flow of movement within the body (governed by vata dosha). This affects our stools, urine, blood circulation and lymphatic system. Pretty much everything in the body works under the management of vata, so we really want to keep this Queen of the doshas happy!
So what can you do to support your digestion next time you travel???
Here are my five top tips to prepare your gut:
If it’s autumn or spring time, time your seasonal cleanse in the couple of weeks before you leave. If it’s winter or summer, simply focus on strengthening your digestion and avoiding the build up of toxins in the few weeks prior. This might look like avoiding troublesome food combinations, excessive sugar, caffeine and alcohol intake, avoiding greasy fried foods, take-away foods and frozen foods.
Eat grounding, nourishing and hydrating foods, ideally homemade, 1-2 days before travelling. This might look like simple meals made with organic vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds and ghee, along with digestive spices, herbal teas and prescribed digestive herbs. Make sure you drink plenty of room temp or warm water to hydrate your tissues.
Pack light, warm and slightly oily foods to care for agni and pacify vata dosha whilst travelling. I recommend investing in some small thermos pots to pack some kitchari, ghee and dates. If you are of kapha prakruti or your digestion is seriously compromised, fasting can be another good option. Take some ginger tea bags with you to keep agni alight.
Oileate!! Everywhere! Perform abhyanga daily for a week before you travel. Bring black sesame oil with you and apply to the soles of your feet during travel. Apply nasya (herbally medicated nasal oil) throughout travelling to protect your immune system.
Yoga is the ultimate companion on holiday. Bring a travel mat if you can. Move before and after transit and practise gentle pranayama and meditation throughout. This might look like Long Deep Breathing or Nadi Sodhana and your Vedic meditation practice, if you have one. Otherwise meditate using the mantra ‘so’ on the inhale and ‘hum’ on the exhale, this means ‘I am That.’
Some final words of advice for when you land includes honouring your appetite and establishing a regular eating routine. Only eat when hungry, not because it is the socially correct thing to do. Make sure your first meal after arriving is light to digest, warm and helps to enkindle agni. You may wish to take digestive enzymes (or some thin slices of fresh ginger with lime juice and sea salt) before meals and some probiotics to support the transition. Avoid improper food combinations and heavy to digest foods such as deep fried foods, iced drinks and highly processed foods.
This advice should work if your digestion is fairly strong to begin with. If you suffer from symptoms of weak gut health at home, it might be wise to fix this first! Prevention is really the best measure against digestive upset.
My 12 week program ‘Ayurvedic Reset’ is designed to cleanse your digestion and restore your vitality. Through online consults, educational materials, whatsapp support and herbs, we can unlock the key to discovering your unique digestive health needs and enhance your lifestyle to support the wellbeing of your body, mind and spirit.