Lying on the top of a mud volcano soaking the soothing minerals of the earth, was by far one of my most memorable travel moments. Continue reading A Healing Soak in a Volcanic Mud Bath In Columbia
Tag: Health and Wellness
How To Maintain Your Gut Health While You Travel
It is no secret that keeping a healthy gut while you travel can be quite the feat. From airplane food to the uncertainty of food quality abroad and all the foreign germs in between. Our micro domes in our guts can sometimes become very unhappy with us. Introduce something that doesn’t belong and a serious revolt can happen faster than a blink of the eye.
With digestive issues and illnesses looming around every corner when travelling, it is important to not only be ready to treat it should it so arise, but to also take preventative measures, as to avoid it at all costs if possible. Plus, you will have a much more enjoyable travel experience without any gut setbacks.
Our bodies are introduced to so many different foods and germs while travelling, and our immune systems tend to also be compromised which makes it easier to have issues.
Here are a few tips to help keep your gut in tip-top shape and happy while exploring the world.
Always have probiotics on hand.
Preferably probiotics that made for on the go. I love this one from Usana. They come in convenient individual packs that you can put in your bag or pocket, add to water, juice, or simply open the pack and pop it in your mouth and then wash it down with a sip of your beverage of choice.
Many places offer probiotic kombucha drinks, and in virtually every country you can find yogurt or sauerkraut, which are also full of live healthy bacteria for your gut flora. Our gut is what regulates our immune system, so implementing as many probiotics as possible is a great way to prevent anything dodgy from causing you problems.
Carry a bottle of therapeutic grade Oregano Oil with 80% or more carvacrol when you travel.
Oregano is a powerhouse against viruses and bacteria, among a whole host of other incredible benefits. Which includes tummy bugs, foreign bacteria, and food poisoning. The main ways we have gut issues when we travel.
When ingesting it, be sure to only add a few drops to a carrier oil such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or whichever oil you can get your hands on. Oregano oil is very strong, so a few drops in a carrier oil held under your tongue for a couple minutes, repeated a few times a day, will rid you of any pesky bacteria that is causing mayhem in your gut.
Have a bottle of Olive Leaf Extract Capsules made with 25% Oleuropein Extract on hand.
Not only does olive leaf extract lower high blood pressure and preserve cognitive function, but it also is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic. Which means if you end up with a not so friendly bacteria or parasite, olive leaf extract will save the day. combined with oregano oil and there is no bacteria, virus or parasite that will get by unscathed.
Ingest gut health promoting superfoods daily.
I always travel with chlorella on hand, and I always eat things such as chia seeds and drink hot lemon water. Lemons are available worldwide, and chia seeds also are often not hard to find. Both will keep things moving swiftly in the gut region. Chlorella cleans the blood, filters out heavy metals and greatly improves your overall digestion while also providing very important digestive enzymes.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Often the importance of hydration is overlooked or forgotten. Hydration keeps things flowing in your gut, and helps to prevent bacteria and viruses from latching on. Plus if you do catch something, it will flush it out. When your illness strikes your gut, it can easily get dehydrated, so it is best to always have water or tea on hand and on the go. Coconut water is another great option for hydrating and getting in those electrolytes.
A happy gut makes a happy traveller. It sucks when you get stricken with gut issues when on the road. Nobody wants to hug the toilet if they don’t have too. With a few prevention methods and a good natural emergency kit, you will be happy, healthy, radiant and ready for life’s endless adventures.
10 Reasons To Get Out And Be In Nature
Nature is alive and full of high vibration healing energy. With technology having taken over the world, we are full of radiation and health depleting substances. We have built walls between us and the outdoor world.
The majority of people spend up to 90% of their time indoors. We get so wrapped up with work, commute, caring for our families, watching television and playing on social media, that we lose sight of what is truly important for our health and well being.
When I was young, there was no cell phones and computers, and we only had a TV that got reception if the bunny ears(antennas) where in the perfect spot. So I spent about 90% of my time outside running around, building things, gardening. It was a mission to get to me go inside. When I was 10 years old I wanted a tree house so badly, so I took it upon myself to build one. Day in and day out I was outside hammering away. I had recieved help solely with putting the floor and support beams up. I went on to build walls, a hinged door, a roof and carpeted the inside. My tree house masterpeice rocked my little world. Now I see the opposite happening, where kids have to be forced to go play outside.
It is no wonder people crave mental and physical healing, and more and more people feel the urge to simplify their lives and get back to nature. Look at how big the tiny home movement has become. Our souls know where we are meant to be, and know where the most healing place for us to be is.
It is undeniable that when you shut off, disconnect and go immerse yourself in the outdoors, you can feel the pulsating energy. Go give a tree a hug with with a tank top and shorts on so your skin can touch it, and you will feel the live energy flowing through it.
There are so many benefits from being in nature, here is 10 of the top benefits of it.
1 – Your Stress And Anxiety Levels Will Go Down
Stress is the number one killer in the world. It’s crazy how stress can wreak total havoc on an otherwise healthy mind and immune system. High levels of stress in our daily lives are associated with high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and obesity.
Spending time in nature relieves stress and reduces the amount of cortisol the stress hormone in our blood stream. Having too much cortisol can also cause weight gain in the mid section which is known to up our chances of heart disease and diabetes. Rather then booking a day visit to a spa, book a weekend retreat out in the wilderness. The profound rejuvenating effects will last a substantial amount of time longer.
2 – Best And Most Natural Way To Get Vitamin D
Yes the sun is the master source to get vitamin D. It is the most important vitamin that keeps us happy. Being in natural lights aids and promotes your body to create more vitamin D. It is extra important to get more of this powerhouse vitamin in the winter, as we tend to get a lot less sunlight, which leads to higher levels of depression. Especially where I am from in Northern Canada as day light hours get shorter and shorter in the winter.
I suggest also taking a high quality vitamin D supplement. You can find one of highest rated quality wise in the world right here.
3 – You Will Have Better Quality Sleep
Being in nature and sunlight helps us to have healthy melatonin levels, as well as keep our circadian rhythms in check. Both of those are exactly what effects our sleep patterns and quality.
There have been numerous studies done that show that spending between as little as 30-60 minutes outdoors in the sunlight will promote a much more restful sleep, and balance everything out.
4 – It Will Improve Your Memory And Attention
Walking in nature for 20 minutes has shown to refocus your mind and regain concentration spans. Research has shown that no matter what the season, the effects of nature do not waver. Short term memory is immediately improved by 20%. There are also studies done showing the great affects a nature walk can have on children with ADHD. After a 20 minute walk in a green area, these children were better able to focus as opposed to walking in any other area.
5- It Will Boost Your Immune System
A lot of people don’t realize the negative effects it can have on one’s body staying in doors too much. Our immune system works best when it is challenged, and the best place for that to happen is outdoors.
Not only that, being surrounded by trees increases our production of natural killer cells. Trees are constantly emitting phytoncides into the air, which is what they use as protection, and when inhaled it has amazing benefits for our immune system. A 3 day trip to the forest can keep your white blood cells elevated for 30 days there after. These cells are very important for fighting off viruses and cancer.
6 – You Will Have More Energy
Food fuels our bodies and so does nature. Studies have shown that those who get out and walk in nature reported much higher levels of vitality. Instead of reaching for that cup of java, get outside and connect with nature for an energy boost. Or if you must have that cup of coffee, then why not take it outside and get a double dose of an energizing boost.
One of the best ways to combat jet leg is to get outside at your destination and go grounding. That means your bare feet or skin touching bare earth. It helps balance you with natures energies in your location and will balance your body out so much faster.
7 – It Will Reduce Inflammation
Because being in nature has such a relaxing effect on your body, as well as the vitamin D producing effects, it will naturally bring inflammation down. Inflammation is your body’s way of screaming for help. So getting out into mother nature will halp relieve your inflammation and restore a balanced state in your body.
8 – You Will Have Better Vision
This is especially important for children as their eyes are growing and their vision is developing. Many scientific studies have shown that too much time indoors can cause irreversible nearsightedness or otherwise known as myopia.
Being outside gives our eyes ample natural light, as well as plenty of different things to focus on near and far which exercises the eyes and vision. It’s a great way to relax and recover the eyes from staring at a screen for many endless hours. Which we all know is not very good for our vision.
9 – You Will Naturally Practice More Mindfulness
Being in nature truly makes you more present in the moment. You become very aware and observant of your surroundings and situation. There is so much more stimuli in the outdoors, from animal sounds, the breeze through the trees, leaves or snow crunching, and many different smells. It brings you straight into awareness.
We are too often surrounded indoors with electronics and artificial light, and it becomes far too difficult to be naturally mindful. Getting outside is the easiest way to slip into that state.
10 – Increase Longevity
With all of these positive benefits on the body and mind from being in nature, it is a no brainer that it extends your life span. There have been studies done that have shown that people whom lived near parks, lawns, trees and forests live significantly longer then those living far away from nature.
Having less stress, more mindfulness, more vitamin D, better vision, improved mental health, a stronger heart and heart rythym and better quality sleep will only serve to work as a domino effect pushing you to better health and a richer longer life.
Nature Deficit Disorder is a thing. Correcting the problem is also a thing. No matter what the season may be, get outside and experience the energizing and healing benefits that nature has freely waiting to share with you. It’s clear to see how connected everything truly is.