Want to Keep Things Moving When You Travel? Then Get Moving
Travel – especially during the holiday season – can lead to slowdowns and other digestive discomforts. We’re often away from home and on the go, while being surrounded by treats and rich foods. The holidays can be stressful for many people, with extra temptations in the form of sugar, fat and alcohol that can all disrupt digestion. It can be hard to find the time to keep up with our usual healthy habits, which can lead to a ripple effect that impacts mood, daily stress, digestion and more.
Here are five simple ways your clients can help keep their digestion on track when traveling.
1. Take a walk after big meals.
Overdo it on the turkey and stuffing? Research supports taking a short walk to alleviate gas, bloating and feeling overly full. Go on and have the second helping, but then tell the whole family to lace up their shoes. Even 10 to 15 minutes of walking after a big holiday feast could help relieve abdominal bloating and gas.
2. Stay hydrated.
Due to the low humidity levels in the cabin, airplane travel can cause dehydration, which can show up as mild fatigue and occasional constipation. The intestines need water to make stool easy to pass, and when there isn’t enough, slowdowns or back-ups can happen. Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after flying. Alcohol has dehydrating effect, so if you choose to imbibe, follow each drink with a glass of water.
3. Prioritize fiber.
Like water, fiber makes stool easier to pass. When you’re on the go or during times of celebration, it can be harder to access the fiber-rich foods you normally eat. Fiber is only found in plants, to make room for foods like vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole grains when you can. Consider a fiber supplement to give yourself a boost, or travel with ground flax and chia seeds to add to foods like cereal, yogurt, etc.
4. Focus on gentle movement.
The best way to deal with digestive discomforts is to avoid them in the first place. Regular movement can help promote healthy digestion – including regularity and motility. Walking, hiking or gentle yoga are all easy to do to away from home, as they require little additional gear or special clothing. Certain yoga poses may even help with digestion.
Tip: There’s a yoga pose that translates to “wind relief pose,” because it may help relieve gas and bloating. Simply lie on your back and hug your knees into your chest. Then leave only your right knee hugged in. This applies gentle pressure to the ascending colon, which can help ease gas and bloating.
5. Travel with your go-to formulas.
This time of year, we like GI Motility Complex® healthy motility and for Intolerance Complex® for food sensitivities.* Both formulas may be helpful during travel.*
GI Motility Complex® provides support for slowed gastric emptying and associated discomforts, like occasional constipation & bloating.* ProDigest® promoted healthy transit times by at least 30% and had a positive effect on digestive discomfort in 82% of people.* It also includes apple cider vinegar to boost metabolic function.*
Intolerance Complex® includes higher-potency enzymes that offer support for digestive sensitivities.* It helps the body break down food more efficiently.* With specialized enzymes for food sensitivities, this formula delivers fast digestive relief for occasional bloating, gas and indigestion.*
