THE TRAVEL BUG…
Many people love to travel, though some feel the Wanderlust more than others. Whether you do it physically, mentally, spiritually or energetically (e.g. whilst watching a travel programme on a TV channel), it is rather exciting to visit new places: it helps us expand our awareness, shows us the nuances of various cultures thus broadening our horizons, and allows for a synthesis of these experiences into our current wisdom bank. Travelling necessitates for us to adapt to new environs as well as different diets, time zones, cultural habits and religious customs. But it also challenges us on various levels and can be a mixed bag when it comes to how we feel whilst we are out there…
The potential pitfalls of travelling to pastures new
Exploring different parts of the world can take a toll on our immune system in many different ways. The very process of packing, getting there and parting with the familiar stresses our hormonal system by triggering excess cortisol production which, in turn, can suppress our immunity. Any change we experience, be it in the quality of water, food (especially from street outlets) as well as haphazard eating habits, let alone the often questionable hygiene conditions while in transit, impacts the GALT, the gut immune system, and can affect its microbiome. If not optimised or nourished before the trip, this can lead to traveller’s diarrhoea or a tummy bug that can persist after we return home. Exposure to different viruses, be it gastric or inhaled, can also leave a mark and increase the risk of infection. Not being fully hydrated is also a factor, especially when visiting hot climes, flying a lot, or sweating profusely whilst on a mountain hiking trail. The mucosal membranes can get dryer and the border immune system may become weakened that way, as can the whole lymphatic system become sluggish thus becoming less able to fight newly encountered pathogens. When during any air travel, let alone the long-haul flights, the air pressure and cellular oxygen levels drop, the recirculated cabin air can predispose us to airborne infections. And last but not least, the jet lag: any changes to our circadian rhythm of such hormones as melatonin, responsible for sleep, and cortisol, the main stress mobiliser, affect immune readiness to quench infections as sleep disruption sets in. Here it is the adaptive immune system with its T-cells that suffers most.
The benefits of roaming the world
That said, travel can also benefit our immunity. The very act of taking a break from daily chores and responsibilities is relaxing to the nervous system and, since it always ‘talks’ with the immune and the endocrine systems, it can benefit us directly. It can help boost our mood and even lift one out of the apathy or depression. (The exception to the rule may be when we are powering on all cylinders in the run up to the deserved break, and crash when we get there – so preparing for your travels requires some thought…). Additionallyly, being exposed to the whole spectrum of new microbes helps train immune system response and make it more robust long term, a fair advantage in today’s world. And of course expanding the mind and needing to adapt to the new unfolding circumstances benefits out brains and fosters neurosynaptogenesis in real time – a perfect tool for ensuring our command centre ages slower and repairs better. Where fasting is observed overnight, the autophagy process enhances these neurological changes and helps get rid of the brain fog and the tendency to brain inflammation thus proofing us for better mental and cognitive health.
How to prep your immune system for the adventures ahead
Here are some practical tips of how to avoid the most common pitfalls during your travels:
The potential pitfalls of travelling to pastures new
Exploring different parts of the world can take a toll on our immune system in many different ways. The very process of packing, getting there and parting with the familiar stresses our hormonal system by triggering excess cortisol production which, in turn, can suppress our immunity. Any change we experience, be it in the quality of water, food (especially from street outlets) as well as haphazard eating habits, let alone the often questionable hygiene conditions while in transit, impacts the GALT, the gut immune system, and can affect its microbiome. If not optimised or nourished before the trip, this can lead to traveller’s diarrhoea or a tummy bug that can persist after we return home. Exposure to different viruses, be it gastric or inhaled, can also leave a mark and increase the risk of infection. Not being fully hydrated is also a factor, especially when visiting hot climes, flying a lot, or sweating profusely whilst on a mountain hiking trail. The mucosal membranes can get dryer and the border immune system may become weakened that way, as can the whole lymphatic system become sluggish thus becoming less able to fight newly encountered pathogens. When during any air travel, let alone the long-haul flights, the air pressure and cellular oxygen levels drop, the recirculated cabin air can predispose us to airborne infections. And last but not least, the jet lag: any changes to our circadian rhythm of such hormones as melatonin, responsible for sleep, and cortisol, the main stress mobiliser, affect immune readiness to quench infections as sleep disruption sets in. Here it is the adaptive immune system with its T-cells that suffers most.
The benefits of roaming the world
That said, travel can also benefit our immunity. The very act of taking a break from daily chores and responsibilities is relaxing to the nervous system and, since it always ‘talks’ with the immune and the endocrine systems, it can benefit us directly. It can help boost our mood and even lift one out of the apathy or depression. (The exception to the rule may be when we are powering on all cylinders in the run up to the deserved break, and crash when we get there – so preparing for your travels requires some thought…). Additionallyly, being exposed to the whole spectrum of new microbes helps train immune system response and make it more robust long term, a fair advantage in today’s world. And of course expanding the mind and needing to adapt to the new unfolding circumstances benefits out brains and fosters neurosynaptogenesis in real time – a perfect tool for ensuring our command centre ages slower and repairs better. Where fasting is observed overnight, the autophagy process enhances these neurological changes and helps get rid of the brain fog and the tendency to brain inflammation thus proofing us for better mental and cognitive health.
How to prep your immune system for the adventures ahead
Here are some practical tips of how to avoid the most common pitfalls during your travels:
- Give yourself time and space to prepare your body and mind for your trip: stay hydrated, get a few early nights in and maintain healthy eating habits before you depart. Also make sure you move a fair bit in nature to oxygenate the body as much as you can and to get into a relaxed modus operandi a little.
- Pack a few basics: I always travel with powdered vitamin C, iodine (to sterilise water when no clean source is available), a travel probiotic (the one which does not require refrigeration), some herbal anti-microbial (grapefruit seed, olive leaf, charcoal, colloidal silver, artemisia or propolis), some electrolyte tablets (or some good, unrefined salt), some aloe vera gel (for topical abrasions), a few plasters and some rubber gloves (for when you need clean hands to dress a wound or similar) and an antiseptic get (to sterilise your hands when in transit). Of course ALWAYS check if you tolerate any of the above before use and use them only if they do not interact with any of your medications (if you take any).
- During your journey, be it a road trip or flight, stay well hydrated. Keep a good water bottle with you at all times and use it in preference to alcohol or caffeinated drinks – they are going to rob your body of precious water! Soft and succulent fruit and veg or their juices may also come in handy but avoid sweetened drinks as sugar tends to feed yeast and breed bacteria.
- When in the air, cover your nose and eyes thoroughly when the cabin is sprayed with anti-insect repellent. Have a saltwater spray to keep the nasal passage moisturised and sterilised intermittently whilst in flight, and sip water with vitamin C to reduce the pressure on your immune system. Walk around or do the specific exercises for your arms and legs to boost circulation (airlines often provide these on a piece of paper in the pocket of the seat in front of you). Or break up your road journey with some short stops and movement outside. Aim not to eat very late (or best – eat before you board if you are catching a late flight) and sleep a bit to wake up refreshed in the time zone of your destination.
- Once there, aim to stay well hydrated and nourished, especially straight after the change of time zones. Stay up to match the light and darkness hours of your destination on day 1. Wash your hands often or use the sanitising gel or wipes you when touching commonly used surfaces. Ensure you source food from healthy looking outlets whenever you can, or if in doubt, take a dose of your antimicrobials and a probiotic later to avoid gastric infections. Eating mostly vegetarian foods in tropical countries is also worth trying as they pose less risk of being contaminated due to heat exposure. And sleep enough to feel refreshed the day after – it is your friend, after all. If you find jet lag affect you badly, you can take some sleep aiding supplements like 5-HTP or melatonin, if available over the counter where you are. But the former is not advised to be take when spending time in the sun a lot, and the latter is best checked for interactions with any meds you may be currently on.
- And, last but not least, remember not to allow any health concerns spoil your journey! Trust your body and your immune system do stay in their best shape for you at all times. Ask them to keep you protected, expect it as a given and thank them for doing so. Honouring your body’s physical and emotional needs that way will reward you with energy and curiosity to explore new places and enjoy every adventure. And let the travel bug be the only bug to stay with you after you get back home.