This holiday season, give yourself the gift of health! No, I don't mean a gift certificate to our clinic (although we do have those available!). Prepare yourself for the onslaught of difficult choices from foods, to scheduling, to traffic delays, and beyond. Your body and mind will be faced with many stressors over the next month, treat yourself well.
Before Traveling
- Schedule an acupuncture and/or massage appointment – The day before your trip, boost your immune system and lower your stress level. Spending this time taking care of yourself will be much more rewarding than using that time to pack an extra set of dress pants, I promise.
- Bio Vegetarian – For travel (especially in airports and airplanes), I take Bio Vegetarian to prime my immune system.
- Vitamin A, Zinc, Selenium – these 3 supplements, along with mushroom (reishi and maitake) extracts, activate your natural killer cells to get rid of any invaders before they have a chance to take root. Take these along with Bio Vegetarian for a powerhouse of immune boosting strength.
- Pack your Vitamin D3 and Thymucin – I will take a double dose of Thymucin whenever I travel or I have been in close proximity to a sick person. These two holistic medicines will also help you fight a cold or flu if your prevention efforts weren't enough.
- Pack Clove Oil – The most dreaded travel moment is, of course, is the coughing person that sits right next to you and assures you that they are not contagious. My advice: DON'T BELIEVE THEM! And spray some Clove oil in the air. Don't forget the 3oz rule for air travel though.
At Your Destination
- Drink plenty of water – it's easy to quickly become dehydrated during travel, especially plane travel. Keep that water bottle close by and add some lemon slices when you can. Alcohol is dehydrating too, grab a glass of water with each of your adult beverages.
- Move it – make sure to move! Walk, use the gym at your hotel, grab a local yoga class, hike. Get your lymphatic system moving so that your body can heal from the stress of traveling.
- Wash your hands – old fashioned soap and water will work just fine or, if not available, a hand sanitizer like Dr. Bronner's Magic Organic Fair Trade Hand Sanitizer Spray or CleanWell will do the trick. Don't forget to sanitize after using the gas pump too! Wipe down surfaces using a essential oil infused cloth or essential oil-based hand sanitizing wipe, wipe down arm rests, seatbelt buckles, your cellphone, and other areas often.
- Eat for your immune system – like lots of garlic for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. Plus it will help keep your relatives away! Reach for those dark, leafy greens whenever possible and start your day with a good protein source to help curb sugar cravings later in the day.
- Say NO – and get adequate rest. Don't let busy schedules, endless requests, and late nights wear down your body and mind. Practice the art of saying no and being selective about how you spend your time. That way you can be completely present during your chosen time with your family and friends. And, stay healthy too!
If you need any support during your travels, do not hesitate to call or email. I also offer Skype appointments if you need more in-depth health and wellness assistance.
Happy Travels!
Dr. Adam Graves
Colorado Natural Medicine + Acupuncture
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