Roam If You Want To: Travel Better With These Healthy Tips ✈️
Happiest of Hannukahs and some help for holiday headaches.
RED RED WINE
It’s the most wonderful time, when many toss back a few extra adult beverages in the name of Chrismahanukwanzakah, AKA the official start of marathon season, when the marathon is Love Actually, Elf, or A Christmas Story. And a recent study finds that it’s not just the extra drinks themselves, but a compound known as quercetin, specific to red wine, that’s the culprit behind those truly special headaches–the ones that start well before the actual hangover sets in. Do with this info what you will–it’s obviously an easily avoided problem, given the bevy of bevvies other than wine, or those with zero alcohol altogether. But if red is your go-to for feeling festive, a very loose (tho somewhat dubious) rule of thumb may be to look for reds from cooler climates. Regardless, drink water, give your liver some extra protection with milk thistle, and make sure you have a bite along with that bottle–it’s latke season after all!
WELL ON YOUR WAY
Lots of folks are taking to the roads, rails and skies in the next few weeks, and given the increase in delays and assorted other travel nightmares, all the more reason to prepare to stay in top form. (Note: these are not paid endorsements, but simply products I actually travel with, and maybe they should pay me at some point…)
Hydration in all forms: travel-friendly face mist, collapsible water bottles (the single-use travel plastic must end!) and a hydrating beverage mix.
Healthy fats and fibers: you get enough crunchy salty sweetness at a gas station or on the plane, but for higher quality, think olives, seeds and cleaner nut butters.
Sleep: white noise FTW. This is not a “travel” version but it’s lightweight and 10x better than an app.
Compression socks–they’re not just for grandpas!
HERE’S A TIP, MAKE THE CHANGE
You don’t have to be a card-carrying germophobe to appreciate that as you move through the world, you are accumulating a world of grossness along with you. I’m all for a little bacteria to keep the immune system on its toes, but there are limits. Next time you get to your final destination, whether it’s home or away, think twice before you toss that luggage on the bed to unpack. Consider where your luggage has been rolled/rested/dragged and who or what else was there before you, and whether you want to climb into bed with it. I’ll leave you with that delightful image. Bon voyage!
Be well, and also have fun,
xo
Erica
