Over the years I've been lucky enough to travel quite often. Whether it be for business or pleasure, I find that traveling is a great way to experience new things but also learn a lot about yourself.
Enjoying a nice cold drink in Cartegena, Colombia
The other day, I shared some of my favorite products to bring with me to stay healthy and happy while away from home but what happens once you get home? Often, we're too busy getting back into the swing of things we forget one of the most important pieces: our health!
And I can relate, while I've gotten a pretty good handle on staying healthy and active while away, I find it most difficult to stay on track when I get home and have to adjust to regular life again.
So how can you help your body adjust upon your return? Read below for some of my favorite strategies.
1. Be Graceful with Yourself
Many of us come home from a trip and immediately start feeling guilty about some of the "poor" food decisions we made while away and pledge to immediately eat better the moment we get home.
But then there is the empty fridge, the bags to unpack and, dare I say it, your job that is waiting for you. After all that, it's so much easier to order take-out than go get groceries and cook dinner.
And that's ok.
Don't beat yourself up for a few nights of take-out or not eating perfectly the moment you get back. If you do, you're more than likely to be less than enthusiastic about getting back on track for the long haul. Remember to be graceful with yourself and that being healthy is a lifestyle, not a destination.
2. Support Your Liver
I've never been a big fan of what's often sold as a detox program. Our bodies know how to detox naturally! What we can do, however, is support our organs that are responsible for detoxification specifically your liver. When the liver is bogged down with foods or toxins that don't support it, natural detoxification can be slowed down making you feel not so great (stomach issues, fatigue, mood swings, skin changes and much more).
So how do you support your liver? Here are a few things to get your started:
Choose organic fruits and veggies if you aren't doing this already. Pesticides sprayed on these crops can introduce toxins into the liver and bloodstream.
Cut back/out the sugar, caffeine and alcohol which can slow down your liver.
Eat lots of leafy, green vegetables (like kale) which help support the liver in detoxifying the body.
Add beneficial herbs such as cilantro, turmeric and oregano (oil of oregano is also great for clearing any sore throats you may get from traveling).
3. Make a Plan
After you've given yourself a bit of time to decompress, make an action plan based on what you think is achievable. Perhaps you can only commit to one homemade meal a day until you can get to the grocery store or maybe, you decide to use up some freezer leftovers and can meal plan like you usually do. Either way, make a plan and hold yourself accountable to sticking to it.
4. Seek Out Self-Care
While a set self-care routine should be high on your priority list already, it is even more important following time away from home. Detoxification focused self-care techniques are excellent to incorporate and can include:
Daily dry brushing to stimulate the lymphatic system.
Epsom salt baths or foot soaks to draw toxins out of the body.
Meditation to help calm your thoughts.
5. Reset Your Sleep Cycle
Once you return home, make it a priority to get back into a regular sleep schedule. Our bodies are incredibly cyclical and even small shifts in normal patterns can wreak havoc on our health. To get back into a familiar pattern, Try incorporating the following into your bedtime routine:
Shutoff all electronics at least 1/2 hour before going to bed and don't leave your phone next to your bed.
Use essential oils such as lavender in a diffuser near your bed to help get you ready for sleep.
Drink calming teas such as chamomile or lemon balm.
If jet-lag is a problem, try drinking tart cherry juice before bed. It naturally contains melatonin which help regulates your sleep cycle.
Stick to a regular bedtime every night.
I'd love to hear your tips for staying healthy while traveling or when you return - let me know in the comments!
