traveling « Anne Sture Tucker

I just returned back from Europe and the first couple of days with jet-lag were rough, to say the least!

9 hours time difference, really does you in and affects your entire system, in a big way! I felt completely out of balance…

Woke up at 1:30 in the morning and was hungry, started to unload the dishwasher and checked my email ……

I desperately needed to soothe that out of control jet-lag of mine!

Sleepless nights creates imbalance in the body, it affects our health and overall sense of well -being, but there are lots of different ways we can promote great sleep and regain balance again.

Jet-lag is always talked about as something we get when traveling thorough time zones. But really, we go thorough the exact same thing if you work shifts, if you have had a baby and need to get up to feed in the middle of the night or when we are simply stressed and just can’t sleep at night. Regardless of the reason it is important that we take time to really soothe that sleepless, tried and exhausted body of ours in order to get back in to balance and promote good sleep patterns again.

I travel a lot and often experience jet-lag – so these are my favorite tips for soothing jet-lag and regain balance again:

I set the clock and go with the time it is where I am
I don’t nap or sleep during the day even though I am dead tired.
I spend time outside and get as much sunshine/ daylight as possible, as it helps to adjust to the new time zone.

A swim in the lake

I go to bed early (but not too early…)
I get up at the usual time
I quickly get back into the routines and follow the daily rythm
I exercise gently – a swim, a walk, a bike ride, yoga
I meditate
I drink lots of water

Fresh Cool Water

I drink green juice and/or green smoothies

Green and delicious

I eat lots of healthy food to help my body restore, find balance and rejuvenate.

Balance

This mornings fresh green juice –

Refreshing green juice

Red Kale, Apple, Ginger and Lemon Juice

5 sweet apples

1 bunch of red kale

1 lemon

A small slice of fresh ginger

Wash and clean the apples and kale, peel the lemon and the ginger – run it all through the juicer and serve ice cold.

Sleep well

I have been so spoiled lately! Last weekend I went to Montreal with my beautiful daughter – just the two of us! Wow, what a treat, spending time alone with her was so precious!

Then this weekend I went skiing with some girl friends. Both of these experiences were like big-time tonic for my soul.

The down side is however that while traveling it can be hard to maintain healthy habits and routines. I love joining the party and eating what everyone else is eating and I treasure visiting interesting restaurants and eat whatever takes my fancy.

But I also love to get back home and squeeze myself a rejuvenating green juice. Its the perfect way to recoup and getting back into the rhythm again .