Traveling for the holidays, whether it’s to visit family or to take a winter getaway, is almost always a treat! However, digestive issues can keep you from fully enjoying the trip. To avoid a stomach unsettled from long hours sitting in the car, trying new foods, or the stress of travel, these tips will help keep your belly happy through the holiday season and beyond.

Always Plan Ahead.

No matter the length of your trip, it is important that you are prepared. Bring extra water so that you can stay hydrated and snack on fiber-rich foods to keep your digestion on track. If you’re visiting family, ask about the holiday menu to find out if there will be options that won’t upset your stomach — or bring along something tummy-friendly to share.

Stay Active.

To keep your digestive system moving, your body needs to stay moving. Road trips and long flights can get in the way of exercise, so schedule stretching or walking breaks to ease stiffness and prevent sluggishness. Even a few seated exercises can help keep everything moving smoothly.

Take Your Time.

Holiday gatherings and vacations are filled with plenty of tempting foods, but pace yourself to avoid tummy troubles. Fully chewing your food before swallowing will limit the amount of air you swallow and prevent bloating. Eat smaller portions to keep from overeating and avoid triggering indigestion. Remember, if you are out of the country and unsure of their food safety measures, don’t eat or drink anything that hasn’t been boiled, cooked, or is peelable (like a banana) to protect yourself from illness.

Practice Mindfulness.

Stress can cause a range of discomforts, including digestive ones. Keep your travel stress at bay using techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and talking to loved ones. While these things may not completely relieve your stress symptoms, they will most likely take the edge off and help fend off stomach upset.

Assemble a Travel Kit.

Keep a kit of helpful homeopathic medicines on hand so you are prepared for any symptoms that might pop up on your travels. For example, Lycopodium clavatum 30C relieves a bloated abdomen improved by passing gas.* For diarrhea with intestinal growling and pain*, pack Podophyllum peltatum 30C. Borax 6C relieves canker sores that can make eating your holiday favorites uncomfortable.*

Holiday travel can quickly become an unsavory activity when digestive upsets join in. Use these tips to help prevent those discomforts and explore more options for homeopathic relief with the Boiron Medicine Finder.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.