I Caught the Travel Bug in Thailand – Wellness Travel Tips
Before I share my favorite travel experiences and wellness travel tips from my recent trip to Thailand, I have a confession to make that I usually reserve for my close family and friends: I have an addiction…to work.
My "workaholism" started at a very young age, shaped by my immigrant Vietnamese parents who left everything behind in a war-torn country to start over in the US East LA, to be exact. They worked tirelessly to provide for me, my two younger brothers, and their extended family back in Vietnam. From as early as I can remember, they instilled in us a strong work ethic and high standards, laser-focused on pursuing a college education that would lead to a lucrative career and financial security.
Thankfully, I found my calling in naturopathic medicine and acupuncture. My parents were skeptical for many years, worried that this unconventional path wouldn't offer stability, but after 22 years in practice they are slowly accepting, or perhaps surrendering to the fact that this is truly my path.
So when my daughter asked if we'd like to travel with her to Thailand before she headed off for a research study at a Thai Integrative Cancer Hospital at a remote temple, my worried, over-responsible, workaholic inner voice hesitated. There was that familiar tug: "What about the clinic? What about patients? What about the never-ending to-do list?"
Thank goodness I didn't listen to that voice. I said, "Yes!"
Together, my daughter and I curated a travel experience filled with connection, nature, art, culture, cuisine and elephants. We swam in the breathtaking seven-layered Erawan Waterfalls of Kanchanaburi and trekked through the lush, remote mountainous regions of Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai to a tribal village. We rolled up our sleeves in a lively Thai cooking class, learning to prepare delicious, authentic dishes. We crafted pretty bracelets and painted watercolor scenes at an artist's village overlooking the river, letting creativity and play guide the day.
At night, we rode in tuk tuks, those open-air, motorized three-wheeled taxis, to sensory-filled night markets and gorgeous temples in bustling Bangkok. But my all-time favorite experience was visiting Ran-tong elephant rescue sanctuary, where we fed and bathed these precious, beautiful animals who had been abused and exploited for logging, riding, or circus entertainment. Being close to them, witnessing their gentle and soulful strength and resilience, was profoundly humbling.
Touched by the hospitality and friendliness of the Thai people, we quickly understood why Thailand is such a beloved travel destination. Along the way, we met couples, families, and solo travelers from all over the world, many of whom travel for weeks at a time. As a self-professed workaholic, stepping away from my daily industrious routine in my SoCal bubble and meeting such wonderful people opened my eyes to just how big the world truly is, and how much we share in common despite our different cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.
Somewhere on that journey, I caught a bug. Thankfully, it was a travel bug, not a stomach bug.
For years, I had quietly suppressed this passion for travel while growing a practice and raising kids. On this trip, that passion reawakened with fervor, and now I can't wait for the next adventure.
Of course, travel can come with its share of health hiccups and challenges. So, from one wellness-loving traveler to another, here are some of my favorite tips to help you feel vibrant and well wherever your next journey takes you.
Smooth Move – Keep Things Flowing
Dehydration from flying, changes in routine and diet, prolonged sitting, and time zone shifts can all contribute to travel constipation, something many people suffer through silently. One of my favorite travel companions was an insulated water filter bottle which helped ensure I was drinking plenty of clean water while also reducing plastic waste. Adding electrolytes to your water offers an extra boost of hydration.
Movement matters too. Building in gentle walking, stretching, and choosing high-fiber foods such as vegetables with every meal supports gut motility. If your bowels tend to be extra sluggish, a magnesium citrate or magnesium oxide supplement, along with a couple prunes a day, can be a simple and effective way to get things moving again.
Time Zone Transitions – Outsmart Jet Lag
Flying across several time zones, especially traveling eastbound can leave your internal clock confused and contribute to severe jet lag. To help reset your circadian rhythm, I recommend:
Seeking plenty of natural morning sunlight
Shifting your sleep schedule to match the local time zone
Staying well hydrated and minimizing alcohol and caffeine
A melatonin supplement can be a helpful ally in regulating sleep during these transitions. Avoid the temptation to take long daytime naps, as they tend to prolong the adjustment period and disrupt nighttime sleep.
I too found jet lag to be much more challenging on the way home. If you can, plan for a couple of days off from work to recover rather than jumping straight back into full work mode. For some sleep-sensitive folks like myself, it can take up to one day per time zone change to fully adjust. Doubling my melatonin dose and adding back in cyclical oral progesterone that I typically take during my luteal phase has significantly improved my sleep quality and regularity.
Ready for Take Off – Comfort in the Skies
Long international flights with multiple layovers can be tough on the body. Here are a few of my favorite "must-haves" that made a big difference in my comfort:
Travel neck pillow
Compression socks
Whenever possible, get up, move, and stretch during the flight to keep circulation flowing and to ease stiff muscles and joints. I also booked an incredible Thai massage treatment on the first day of our trip, which relieved tense, tight muscles and helped resolve a stubborn IT (iliotibial) band issue that might have otherwise kept me from our long, steep hikes. Sometimes the best souvenir is the way your body feels after being truly cared for.
Immune Boost – Stay Well on the Road
Pre-travel stress, lack of sleep, dry airplane air, and exposure to new microbes can create the perfect storm for catching a viral infection, something that can quickly put a damper on your adventure.
Over the years, I've relied on a tried-and-true regimen that has been wonderfully effective at keeping my immune system resilient while traveling. If you haven't yet tried it, I highly recommend packing this immunity trifecta on your next trip:
Viracid
Herbal ENT
Herbal ABX
I begin "pre-loading" my immune system with Viracid and Herbal ENT a few days before travel and continue during flights. A high-potency travel probiotic, such as Pro-Biome 50B, plus Z-Binder charcoal supplements can also be incredibly helpful for armoring your gut health and warding off troublesome "travel bugs."
Most of these supplements are available through your Fullscript account or stocked at our clinic, so if you're planning a trip soon, we'd be happy to help you prepare your travel wellness kit.
Helping our community feel healthy and vibrant enough to do the things they love with the people they love is what we live for at Inspire Natural Wellness. As summer winds down, I hope you find a little space whether near or far to explore, connect, and maybe even catch the travel bug like I have.
Yours in wellness,
Dr. Suzanne Tang, ND, LAc
and the Inspire Natural Wellness Team
