Health & Wellbeing for Female Travellers.
Guest writer: Natasha Ahmad, yoga guru
While on the move it is important to have a routine which keeps us functioning at our best without taking too much of our time to sustain.
Here are a few tips on how us ladies can stay healthy while travelling the big wide world, whether it be a 2 week vacation, business trips, or back packing round the globe.
Exercise is a must for a healthy life but this should not be a chore.
It is always better to undertake an exercise plan which is practised often, no matter how short, rather than drudging through a lengthy training programme once every so often. The first option will not only keep the energy flowing through the system more efficiently but after a certain amount of time, getting on the mat, for example, will happen without you having to muster up the initial push, especially if you can keep it to the same time every day.
A little Yoga goes a long way.. Inspirational!
If you are flying it is advisable to stay away from anything that is over stimulating like back bends, but to practise, instead, something that is grounding (seeing as you will be off the ground) like strong leg stances and hip work. Squats are ideal especially at a slow pace, nothing too fast moving as it will aggravate your ability to stay centred when combined with the flying.
Stay hydrated.
Again, little and often is the key and drinking hot water is much better for you. Cold drinks are a shock to the system and the body will have to waste unnecessary energy in warming it up. It is especially not advisable to drink cold drinks with meals as the fat in the food will solidify when it comes into contact with cold fluids.
Drink & look hot
A large part of the travel experience is most certainly tasting the local cuisine. It would be sacrilege to abstain from this in order to watch ones weight. The best way round the dilemma is to make your largest meal as close to midday as you can. This is when your digestive powers are at their strongest so your body will have the best chance of assimilating the food no matter how decadent (ginger tea, before a meal, is a good way to aid the digestion process but should be avoided during menstruation or if one suffers from heat disorders). The evening meal should be light and give yourself at least two hours to digest before you plan to sleep.
Finally, a few words on our moon cycle are necessary.
While women have come to look at that “time of the month” with disdain, it is important to remember that a healthy regular menstrual cycle is the key to a healthy life, especially in later years. It is a time when the toxins and other filth which have been collecting in the blood can be expelled; a system of purification for both mind and body. It is also partly thanks to this monthly process that women live longer than men. Healthy menstruation regulates our many rhythms and realigns us with Nature time and again. During this time rest as much as you can and stay away from vigorous exercise especially during the first three days, or when the flow is at its most heavy.
Be gentle to yourself too!
Supine yoga poses with support are most beneficial like lying on the floor with a pillow under the back, knees bent wide and soles of the feet touching (supta baddhakonasa). Another great pose is to sit on the floor, legs wide and folding forward with as much support under the chest to make you comfortable (upavishtakonasana).
Happy travels!