As you know, my father is a retired pilot, and my brother currently flies for Airtran. They could fly upside down, through turbulence, and without any ventilation and feel just peachy. I, on the other hand, break into a sweat at the first signs of bumps. Thus the flying gene somehow skipped over me.
Motion sickness is caused when your inner ear perceives movement but your vision doesn't. It creates an inner disagreement that can cause nausea, increased heartbeat, sweats, and a myriad of other nasty side-effects. I've experienced all of them, and it's not fun.
Although I love the thrill of being somewhere new, exploring a foreign culture, and the euphoria of stumbling upon a great travel deal - I can't stand the process of getting from A to B. The stress of packing, getting to the airport, fighting crowds, security lines, and flight delays are bad enough. But stepping onto a hot, stuffy plane with a funky stomach is the worst fate. I've tossed my cookies before on a flight, but not since I was a little kid. Over the years I learned a few tips and tricks that have gotten me through many an upchuck potential situation.
Medicate - You might want to try some Dramamine (make sure it's non-drowsy or you'll be out for half the day) before a flight. However, few, if any, drugs truly take away the motion sickness feeling completely. I've personally found Dramamine at least takes the edge off. An episode of Myth Busters on Discovery Channel tested various anti-nausea drugs by being blind-folded and being spun around in chairs until they puked. However, ginger pills seemed to be the only remedy that actually worked for them. My neighbor also swears by them and starts taking ginger a week before her annual cruise.
Eat light - My mother-in-law is both Midwestern and 100% Italian and loves to feed us. Once she made chili and ribs for lunch, shortly before a flight. I ate light, but my husband indulged and paid the price. He nearly lost his lunch numerous times. Instead, opt for something small and somewhat bland. A simple sandwich can do wonders.
Rethink 'Bad' Foods - Often a small bag of simple chips or plain crackers will soothe my stomach while onboard. I avoid any juices, fruits, or veggies that have the potential to create an acidic or gassy environment in my stomach.
Stay Cool - For most people, staying cool can acutely reduce nausea. Crank up your vents and always ask for ice in your drink. In a pinch you can wrap an ice cube or two in your napkin and place it behind your neck.
Don't panic - It's easy to feel like the world will end when you're rockin' an upset stomach. What's the worst that will happen? You'll puke. The end. Instead, focus on something else and clear you're head. I like to take deep breaths and eye the tray table latch in front of me, clearing my head completely. If I'm feeling especially bad, I let my husband or travel companion know I need a minute. That allows me to just focus and stay calm.
Go to Sleep - I'm not very good at sleeping just anywhere, but I've learned to put myself into at least a snooze when I'm feeling ill. In fact, it's usually the only time I can fall asleep on the plane. I just close my eyes, force my thoughts away, and focus on sleep.
Reverse the Symptoms - NASA did a study with its astronauts (who are also prone to motion sickness) that showed you can greatly reduce the symptoms on your own. If you're heart is racing, take deep breaths and focus on calming down. If you're burning up, turn on the vents and suck on some ice. Visualize your body relaxing and returning to normal.
Don't Be Afraid to Sport the Bag - There's no shame in using a barf bag, friends. If you're prone to nausea, always check the seat back in front of you when you first sit-down and make sure there's a bag there. If not, swipe one or ask the flight attendant for a spare. If you're feeling the grumblings and can't go to the bathroom, don't fight that not so friendly feeling too long. My pilot brother pointed out that many people are too embarrassed to get out the bag and end up puking on the floor, or worse, their neighbor. Interestingly, this sets off a chain reaction and other passengers start to feel ill and begin their own puke fest. If you use the bag, it can easily be disposed of and the event is over.
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Motion Sickness - Tricks of the Trade
The Good Mood "Diet" and Travel
Like most travelers, I tend to over-indulge, have that extra cocktail (or 3), nibble on cookies and order the basket of fries with a Guinness while on vacation. It's easy to forget that being away from your "real life" doesn't mean you won't face the consequences of indulgence once you get back to that "real life". Too bad my travel isn't done on one of those virtual worlds like Second Life, then I'd never gain weight. Of course, I'd only get to see the sites through a computer screen, too.
But weight gain isn't really the problem, a few days at the gym and lots of water usually reverses whatever I've done to celebrate my vacation (room service, candy bars, Scottish beers). It's more the feeling sluggish, bouts of low energy, and overall blue feeling when I return home to Brooklyn. This feeling tends to also sprout up after a stressful week at work, a round of taxes (cringe), non-stop fighting of the neighbors upstairs, or trying to track down clients who owe me a check.
I'd actually been looking for a 'diet' that would elevate my mood and keep me feeling balanced. I don't really care about the weight loss, though like most people, I could easily stand to loose 5-10 pounds. I was primarily concerned about boosting my energy without going on an actual diet. Diets suck, and I'm not a fan. At all. In fact, they rank up there with sitting around in airports all day and being stuck in the middle seat on a plane with no ventilation. Yet I couldn't find any eating plan that matched my desire until I read an article about The Good Mood Diet written by Susan Kleiner and Bob Condor. Like any good frugal blogger trying to save money for travel, I bought it on ebay.
The Good Mood Diet talks alot about eggs and fish. They love their fish. And luckily, I love it. But they also let you have chocolate and some alcohol within reason. Intrigued, I skipped around the book to get a better look at the menus and braced myself for the worst. Turns out, I'll have to figure out where to buy flaxseed, which was the only annoying thing I saw on the plan. The diet provides weeks worth of menu suggestions including lean turkey, fruits and veggies, skim milk, strong coffee, green tea, olive oil, yogurt, soy, edamame (yum), peanut butter, hamburgers, pizza, pasta and of course the fish and eggs. Their 'bad foods' list is refreshingly short and features refined sugars, too much caffeine, alcohol... all the usual suspects.
The author has worked with a lot of athletes, including one with hankering for dove ice cream bars and cartons of ice cream. Eventually, all he wanted was healthy snacks on this new plan. You know, because he just felt so good. The authors suggest eliminating all "bad foods" on their list the first two weeks, but mainly to prove how good you'll feel and show you that you won't want the booze and candy bars by week three. I still think I might want a Bellhaven, but they make allowances for occasional alcohol. Honestly, I think any diet would eliminate your carvings for booze and sugar by week three (but not without a psychotic break-down). But this diet claims that you won't miss any of your favorite junk foods because you'll feel so good without them.
Makes sense. Most people eat to feel good on some level whether it's to relax, feel satisfied, alleviate stress, cope with depression, or just out of boredom. But unlike most diets that make you feel too weak to function or so guilty you're eventually convinced that you're responsible for the state of the world, there's no guilt complex here. The authors really don't give a crap if you just ate an entire cake before reading this book, they just want you to try their green tea or skim milk and cocoa suggestions afterwards. They take comfort in knowing you won't care about the next cake if you're feeling good.
A good deal of this diet is common sense. Don't eat sugar, it's a downer. Or drink alcohol. We all know these rules as fact... and do it anyway. But there was a lot in this book I didn't think I'd ever see on any diet. Caffeinated sodas (they try to convince you to try coffee and tea instead, but reluctantly allow it if you must), glasses of skim milk, burgers, cheese, whole wheat pastas and pizza crusts. Hell, the fact that bread is on here at all is enough reason for abandoned celebration. It also reminds you to eat every 2-3 hours to avoid hunger and creative recipes for seemingly yummy smoothies and sweet tooth alternatives.
So I'm going to give it a shot and see how it works. The book claims you'll feel different after the first day. Again, my goal is to feel energized and feel better, primarily while traveling. I have a press trip next week in Nevada and would love to have the energy to feel confident doing my job and speaking to media reps. I won't be able to bring flaxseed with me, but this day in age, I bet any resort features it somewhere on their menu to keep up with the hoards of healthy-spa-seeking-travelers. But tomorrow it's wheat toast, eggs, coffee, and yogurt for breakfast. Considering I usually only eat candy masquerading as Sweet and Salty breakfast bars each morning, it should be interesting to see how this all works out.
Would love to hear your comments!
Battling the Winter Blues
Anyone else having trouble re-adjusting after the holiday travel madness? We went from a restful week in Georgia and New Year's in the Hamptons to utter chaos. We live in Brooklyn, NY and our upstairs neighbors are an elderly couple who have lived there for 50 years. That's right, 50! They raised 4 kids in a 2 bedroom apartment and their bizarre 50-something year old daughter still lives with them. They're also very loud, negative, abrasive, fight constantly, and wear what sounds like steel toed boots all hours of the day and night. Our landlord's wife ran off with the baker down the street and our neighbor tries to order us to do her errands. Did I mention the old ladies don't speak to me, only my husband, and the old men on the block sweet talk me and ignore my husband? Oh, and we live next door to a mafia restaurant. No one's every eating there, yet people are always coming out of the back. It's like living in a bad Brooklyn movie.
How have I been coping? Well, I've been eating Honey Maid Mini S'mores while looking at my latest travel plans and watching the Travel Channel. I find the combination of both does wonders to improve my mood. (But not my waistline). I have a press trip in Reno/Lake Tahoe next week and am going to try to see my grandmother in Illinois shortly after that. I've never been skiing or snowboarding, so I'm looking forward to trying something new. I've actually never even been to Nevada before and was eager to get some warm gear for my trip. Luckily I waited until after Christmas to buy ski pants at a steal - $15 from Modell's.
If you're dying for a winter escape, you're not alone. Wonder what January travel say about you? Statistics and research on seasonal disorders show that January 24th (my Mom's birthday) is considered the worst day of the year. It all has to do with post-holiday blues, bills coming in, newly broken New Year's resolutions, and cold weather. It's also one of the most popular days of the year to book a trip. And why not? Who wouldn't want to escape feeling like utter hell with a trip to the Bahamas, Mexico, or Hawaii?
Travel also happens to be one of the most accepted forms of escape. You don't need to booze it up, act irresponsibly, or quit your job to change your life. You only need a change of scenery to feel like a new person once in awhile. In fact, it's more socially unacceptable not to take a vacation than to splurge on one once in awhile. But we don't promote expensive travel here at The Innovative Traveler. We encourage you to travel smart... and cheap.
Right now Norwegian Cruise lines is offering a 5-night cruise from Miami, Cozumel, George Town, and back to Miami for $429. Depart on January 20th and miss that dreaded January 24th. Looking for something a little cheaper? Try a 4-night cruise on Carnival fromLos Angeles, Catalina Island; Ensenada, Mexico, and back to LA. Total cost for an inside cabin? Just $199. Leave on January 21st or the 28th.
To take advantage of these last minute savings or to see more winter deals, visit Expedia.
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