My essential travel items

Domestically I travel at least twice a fortnight.
My 2 top must-travel-with-items are
1. water bottle
2. Sudoku or brain trainer books

How to avoid jetlag

Sometimes avoiding jetlag is very hard, especially if you don't sleep well on the plane. Remembering that in a normal 24 hour period you would normal achieve 6-8 hours of sleep. When you fly you may only have nil to a few hours, so naturally you will feel fatigued, regardless of the time zones crossed.
Many people become dehydrated while flying and this also makes you feel fatigued and apathetic.
To assist in minimising with jet lag you can try the following:
- set your clock (and mental attitude) to be in sync with your destination when you board.
- make use of the inflight personal signs (ie do not disturb) if you plan to sleep
- use the ear phones (even if off) as a signal to everyone that you are not interested in talking
- use the eye patches to block out light
- drink plenty of water
- avoid lots of alcohol
- discuss your sleep routine with your travelling partners so they appreciate your plan (and not take offense)
- try to push through as long as possible at your destination (if it is day-time) and go to sleep when the locals do.

Jet lag

Jet lag is very common when travelling across time zones.
Jet lag is the feeling of profound sleepiness, fuzzy head and sometimes fading in and out with your surroundings.
It is caused by the abrupt reversal of your melatonin/cortisol levels as you leap across time zone.
During the day time your body produces a hormone called cortisol, which peak mid to late morning. This is when your energy levels should peak. Then as the cortisol levels taper off over the after noon, you prepare for bed, around 8-9pm. At this point the opposite hormone melatonin is produced in higher doses . This brings on sleep. Over night cortisol production is decreased. This 24 hour cycle is referred to as your circadian rhythm.
If you travel across a time zone your hormone levels become confused. Your body suddenly receives light (day time) when it has been producing melatonin (which is the night hormone). And vice versa with cortisol - hence why you often feel awake and have problems sleeping at night when you travel across time zones.
Your body can take up to 2 weeks to correct itself.
Read tomorrow about how you can manage jet lag

Travelling with Medicines or Supplements part 2

Natural supplements
85% of people in USA and Australia have tried natural medicines at one point. Maybe the number is 100% as natural medicines are any substance that exerts a benefit and is from a natural source. This broader understanding of natural medicines would include water, fish, vegetables and fruit!

Natural supplements can bridge gaps that are present in “orthodox” (pharmaceutical/surgical approach to medicine). And are instrumental in keeping a person healthy and disease-free.

Some benefical natural supplements are:
a. immune boosters
During travel your body is highly susceptible to picking up bacteria and viruses. You can take preventative supplements and herbs to boost your immune system or treat yourself with Vitamin C and other herbs if you should come down with something. Prevention is better than cure and any down time is valuable. Take preventative measures if you fly/drive regularly.

b. energy enhancers
The most common complaint heard by doctors in their surgeries (and any healing modality), is the complaint of “low energy”. (Stress is not far behind). Low energy levels can be due to many things, the most common being not enough water. Other things to consider are mineral deficiencies, poor eating habits, not enough exercise and an underlying health problem.

Many reputable medical journals (based on medical research), recommend that people take a multivitamin every day. This will help with some energy problems. http://www.byebyebridget.com/ecommerce.php

c. memory, concentration and thought enhancers
Certain amino acids (protein derivatives) can augment brain function, and other herbs can assist with memory. If this is important for you work and function, make an appointment to see a naturopath who can best advice you on which ones to take.

Many natural medicines are available over the counter or from health food shops and supermarkets. But how do you know what you need? There are a range of supplements available and rather than waste your money on something you think you need, see a professional trained in the area of complimentary medicines. These may include a naturopath, nutritionist or herbalist. There are national registration bodies, listed in the back of the book, that you can contact to find a practitioner local to you. OR you can search on the internet. We recommend the on-line consultations offered by www.healthqueen.com.au

The essentials
As a minimum you should take the following on any trips with you:
any prescription medications
paracetamol /ibobrufen or natural pain killers
an immune booster
a multivitamin
an anti-oxidant

Always carry a letter for PBS and supplements if prescribed by a professional.
Avoid travelling with powders and liquids.

Travelling with Medicines or Supplements part 1

Taken direct from the PBS and medicare guidelines:

Taking or sending PBS medicine out of the country (Australia) may be illegal.

Before taking or sending medicine subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) oversease you should:
- contact the embassy of the country you are visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there
- carry or enclose with the medicine a letter from your doctor, detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking of sending and stating that it is for your personal use
- leave the medicine inits original packaging so it is clearly labelled with your name and dosage.

If sending yourPBS subsidised medicine by post complete a Customs declarations form available at any post office stating that it is PBS medicine for your personal use.

The Australian Customs Service may detain any medicine it suspects is being legally exported.

Giving PBS subsidised medicine to family or friends overseas is illegal and may endanger their health. For more info:
Ph 1800 500 147
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

or read, HOT TIPS for the Business Traveller.

The easiest way to get from home to the airport

For easy, clean, on time and a relaxing way to arrive at the airport call these guys:

http://www.bct-transfers.com/welcome/page1.php

BCT - transfers.com

They are now in most parts of Australia (sorry Victoria - you are being added soon).

Select Mobile SMS notification-up-dates when booking

When booking your flights - check the box for receiving up-to-date information via sms. This way the airlines can keep you informed of cancelled flights, delays etc...

Dispose of your tissues before disembarking

Modern times have lead to virulent viruses (ie sophisticated new-age viruses, that are still simultaneously simple and perfect) and deadly bacteria . To avoid illness some simple health precautions will re pay you many times over through staying healthy.

For starters don't use hankerchiefs. They can become a micronutrient rich slimmy collection of virus spores that you spread obliviously to everything you touch!

Use disposable tissues. This is one of the most simple health strategies, (that was introduced in the 1920s, I think) that lead to an amazing reduction in the plague and influenzae.

If you use tissues on a plane trip... dispose of them on board before disembarking.

Start your trip without the hitch-hicking bugs and also help contain the spread.

Always wash your hands after blowing and coughing.