January and February are often the most difficult months here in Canada. It’s grey, cold and a high stress time for a lot of people. Between the frigid cold temperature, gloomy skies and bad driving conditions, it’s not much fun. Especially if you’re not close to a winter playground like our Canadian friends who live in the Rocky Mountains!
No matter what cold climate you live in, a warm and sunny getaway this time of year can be so beneficial to the mind and can ignite your imagination and passion for life! You must know that the sunshine is necessary for life. This burning star is not only great for our minds but also for our bodies and overall health.
A healthy dose of vitamin D does wonders to reduce stress and leave you feeling totally rejuvenated. But, what does it do for your health? Vitamin D is different from other vitamins because our bodies can manufacture it with sunlight exposure. This vitamin is essential for regulating calcium in our bones, proper immune function and the prevention of disease.
Julie likes to get away a few times through the winter months as she starts to go a little stir crazy and loves her sunshine and adventure. She travels quite often with her husband and two young daughters. She has some great tips to alleviate travel pains, keep the body and stress in check and most importantly keep immune system strong. Being sick on vacation is not fun.. and your vacation is supposed to be rejuvenating, relaxing, enjoyable and stress-free.
Photo taken at sunset at The Four Seasons, Hualalai on Hawaii's Big Island
Nothing makes a vacation more enjoyable than being prepared.
If you are lucky enough to be jet-setting this winter, Jule’s Wellness and Jule’s Baskets has you covered with some of our favourite travel essentials!
Join us on our Jule's Wellness Instagram where we will be hosting a giveaway for this box filled with natural, organic and health-conscious essentials! (valued at $200!!)
S’well Water Bottle - S’well bottles are beautifully crafted, composed of non-leaching and non toxic stainless steel that keeps your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. We also love that S’well gives back to the community as a proud partner of charitable organizations.
Living Libations Everyone Loves The Sunshine - Nourishment for sun-soaked skin: this organic formula uses the rich oils of the desert jojoba plant, virgin coco-creme, red raspberry seed oil, seabuckthorn berry oil, tamanu berry and essential oils of schizandra berry, immortelle, carrot seed, rose otto, cape-chamomile, frankincense, sandalwood, ginger, lavender, turmeric, calendula and palmarosa as a cooling canopy. So nourishing, this Beautiful formula harmonizes your time in the sun. This is must and a personal favourite of Julie's.
Hurraw SPF 15 Lip Balm- Moisturizing lip protection in a juicy, tangerine and calming chamomile scent. Airplane travel can dry out your lips, but most importantly, so can the sun. If your body can burn, you can bet your beauty pout will too. Lathering sunscreen on your lips isn’t very cute.
Love Fresh Deodorant- This super soft formula offers long lasting odour and sweat protection in fresh scents like lemon verbena, rose and lavender - great for men or women! Throw it in your bag and apply anywhere. Because it doesn’t look like deodorant, you can sneakily apply it anywhere (ahem... airplane).
Pur Gum- We aren’t big gum chewers, as it’s not the best habit for optimal health.. (can cause gas and digestive issues).. But if we do need to freshen our breath in a pinch and keep airplane ear at bay we will use this gum. It is aspartame free, sugar free, vegan, NON-GMO and safe for pregnant women! Peppermint flavoured to keep your breath minty fresh and to give your ears some love through airplane travel and with elevation.
Simply Protein Bar - Having healthy and high protein snacks on hand are a must for keeping blood sugar levels stable especially for those long airport waits and plane rides. We like to avoid the airplane food when possible!
Nud Fud - This crispy, irresistible snack is full of antioxidants, fibre, magnesium, and healthy fats to help keep you healthy during your travels. They’re also free of common allergens such as gluten, dairy, soy, corn, wheat, nuts, eggs and anything artificial!
Jaxcoco Coconut Water- Factors like lack of humidity in air plane cabins, hot days and maybe too many cocktails can cause dehydration very fast! Essential minerals in coconut water hydrate quickly and reduce water retention (hello bikini!) But pack carefully in your luggage bag!
Four Sigma Instant Teas: Chaga, Reishi and Cordycepts
These three teas come in a conveinient, fast dissolving packet composed of 100% wild picked mushrooms free from preservatives or chemicals. With a lengthy list of benefits, you could say mushrooms are the new super foods!
Chaga is a good source of antioxidants important to support immune function and kill foreign pathogens.
Reishi is a whole body tonic, especially good for anxiety and promoting restful sleep.
Cordycepts is a wonderful invigorating energy boost- perfect for the jet legged days!
Inspired Soap Works Bath Salts- Have you ever showed up at your hotel to see a lovely soaker tub, but nothing to put in it? Or, if you’re like Julie and her family and rent houses or condos, you’re pretty much on your own for supplies. She always brings a travel bag of her favourite locally crafted dead sea salts. These salts help promote deep relaxation and detoxification. Perfect for a chill late night tub soak!
Wedderspoon Manuka Honey Lozenges : These sweet lozenges are made with pure manuka honey to soothe and coat a dry throat that often accompanies airplane rides. They are free from refined sugars, and contain beneficial B vitamins to keep you healthy and energized.
Frankincense First Aid from Living Libations: This first aid friend is an essential oil medicine-cabinet in a bottle. It’s a fabulous anti-fungal formula that just takes a drop to quickly heal burns, bites and rashes bringing your skin back into balance.
Epiphany Elixir by Living Libations: Maybe you are headed somewhere exotic to do some soul searching? This blend of essential oils can heighten your experience by bringing awareness and inspiration to your mind and senses. Add a couple drops to your skin while doing morning yoga, relaxing with a good book, or a drop in some water when needed to centre the mind. It is amazing
Immune Illume by Living Libations: Another amazing blend of pure essential oils with anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties that will kill anything in it’s tracks! The last thing you want to do is spend your vacation sick in bed. Make sure you are prepared with immune support.
Emily Sawyer
Author