We’ve all experienced that one bout of food poisoning, flu or heat exhaustion that wiped us out while on vacation. Fortunately, all of these incidents can be avoided – or saved – by packing a few strategic supplements.
It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a trip to the cottage, an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or if you plan to explore Europe on foot, the five supplements below are helpful for any type of vacation and will help ensure you stay healthy, energized and vibrant throughout.
Electrolytes
Chances are if you’re taking a vacation in the summer, it’s going to be hot. Too often, we get so caught up in the excitement of exploring a new place, that we over-exert ourselves and end up dehydrated and fatigued.
First things first, make sure you have a water bottle packed with you at all times and rest in the shade every few hours. Secondly, make sure you add electrolytes to at least one water bottle per day. Electrolytes are important minerals – such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium – that are lost when you sweat and not repleted by water alone. These are crucial for proper nerve and muscle function, which means they’ll prevent muscle cramping, weakness, and fatigue.
Instead of turning to electrolyte sports drinks with artificial flavours and a ton of sugar, try out this portable, naturally flavoured electrolyte mix that tastes like a pina colada, with no sugar added.
Greens Powder
Let’s be real, eating salads isn’t high on the priority list when you’re on vacation. This is the time we allow ourselves to indulge a little extra in the local cuisine, whether it’s pizza and gelato in Italy, or seafood and wine in Greece!
So to ensure you’re getting enough greens to keep you energized and your immune system strong, take a small tub or sachets of greens powder with you. Take it when you wake up and you can rest assured that you’ve at least had one high-power serving of greens that day!
Probiotics (good gut bacteria)
One minute you’re enjoying the local cuisine, the next you’re holed up in your hotel bathroom in nauseous sweats all day, missing out on the fun. Yep, we’ve all been there.
While common sense plays a big role in preventing this from happening (maybe skip that dubious looking street food stall), prepping your gut in advance also improves your odds. Think of probiotics as your own internal gut army that stands guard to fight off any unwanted bad bacteria, pathogens, and parasites while you’re on vacation.
However, keep in mind that this army of good gut bacteria can’t be built in a day, so start taking probiotics before you go on your trip, and keep taking them throughout!
Anti-inflammatory supplement
There’s nothing that kills the holiday vibe more than being in pain. Chances are, as a reader of Wander Mag you’re the type of person who’s either going to be walking, hiking or swimming a lot on your vacation. If you have an injury, joint pain or tenderness in a certain area, you don’t want it to prevent you from being as active as you’d like to be.
This is where anti-inflammatory herbs come in! Not only do they support digestion and immune function, but they also help reduce pain and soreness. As with probiotics, start taking these a few weeks in advance if possible to really feel the difference once you’re on vacation. Our top two favorite anti-inflammatories are curcumin (from turmeric root) and Boswellia; you can find both in this anti-inflammatory joint formula crafted for yogis.
Sleep supplement
If you’re going to be sleeping in a big, comfortable hotel bed, you might as well make the most out of it. There’s nothing worse than struggling with insomnia or jet lag and then waking up tired and irritated the next morning while on vacation!
Pack this natural sleep supplement with you and take it 30 minutes before bedtime; the combination of passionflower, 5-HTP and l-theanine will help your brain relax and lull you into a deep, peaceful sleep, so you can wake up rested and refreshed for the next day’s activities.
Niyama™ Yoga Wellness, a line of natural health products designed and formulated to support the health and wellness of people who practice yoga.
