Staying Healthy While Traveling

May 2, 2025

Practical steps for staying healthy on the road—whether crossing time zones or heading out for a weekend trip. Jamie Schmidt shares simple, powerful ways to keep the body strong, from smart packing tips to immune-boosting habits that make every journey smoother.

Travel can be exciting, inspiring, and... unpredictable. Whether it’s a quick road trip or a long-haul international mission, staying healthy on the move takes some intention. In a recent GoldCare class, Jamie Schmidt—musicianary, minister, and certified health coach—shared practical ways to keep the body strong and resilient while exploring new places.

Travel-Ready Wellness: More Than Just a Checklist

Jamie opened with a reminder: health is about preparation, not just reaction. Her own travel experience spans continents, from South America to Southeast Asia, often in remote regions without easy access to healthcare. This taught her the importance of a reliable routine—something anyone can adapt, whether trekking through the Amazon or visiting family across state lines.

Fuel the Body Well

It starts with what goes in. Jamie emphasized a simple truth: food and water are your frontline defenses.

  • Water Filters Are Essential: A good travel-friendly water filter—like those from Grail or Berkey—makes all the difference, especially in places where water safety is uncertain.
  • Whole Food Supplements Work Better: Instead of synthetic vitamins, Jamie relies on organic bee pollen, which provides every essential vitamin and mineral. Elderberry and zinc also top her list for flu season or when immune defense needs a boost.
  • Bring Healthy Snacks: It’s tempting to grab fast food or settle for whatever is available, but even simple steps—like packing protein shakes, greens, or microgreens—help keep digestion smooth and energy steady.

Strengthen the Vessel

Preparing the body itself is just as important.

  • Prioritize Quality Sleep: This means reducing exposure to blue light at night and minimizing EMFs by keeping phones and devices away from your pillow.
  • Time Zone Tricks: Jamie suggests setting your watch to the destination time as soon as you board your flight. It helps reset your mindset and prepares your body for the new rhythm.
  • Get Sunlight Early: Natural light in the morning helps regulate circadian rhythms, making recovery from jet lag faster and improving overall well-being.
  • Stretch and Move: For long trips, simple stretches—even small isometric movements like pressing your head against your hand—can relieve tension and prevent soreness.

Adapt at Your Destination

Once you arrive, staying healthy means respecting the local environment.

  • Eat What’s Local: Local foods often provide nutrients that match the biome. For example, coca tea in Peru supports the body at high altitudes. Honey and pollen from local bees can even help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms.
  • Be Prepared for Bugs: For mosquito-heavy regions, Jamie avoids DEET-based sprays, instead opting for a natural citronella blend that’s worked wonders in the Amazon.

Top Picks for the Travel Bag

Jamie keeps her essentials simple and effective:

  1. Water Filter
  2. Organic Bee Pollen (Her favorite multivitamin)
  3. Colloidal Silver Spray (for antibacterial defense)
  4. Plant-Based Enzymes (to ease digestion)

She also keeps elderberry, zinc, vitamin C, and activated charcoal close at hand for specific needs.

Final Takeaway

Jamie’s closing message was simple: the goal isn’t just to get through a trip—it’s to thrive through it. Whether crossing time zones or simply stepping out of your normal routine, small daily habits make a powerful difference. With the right preparation and a little creativity, staying healthy while traveling becomes second nature.

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