Why Travelling Is Good For The Gut (And How You Can Do More Of It)

While the COVID-19 pandemic meant that travel plans were put on indefinite hold, it’s clear that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and we will soon be able to travel freely again. As a result, it’s important that you understand that while a lot of fun – travelling is also a gift for the gut and the soul. In fact, there are many hidden benefits to travelling. For example: 

• Travelling offers you the chance to change up your daily routine, which can reduce burnout and provide you with new inspiration.
• Travelling introduces you to new cultures, thoughts and perceptions, which allow you to learn more about yourself and the world around you. By expanding your mindset, you can begin to bring around lasting change in your life for years to come.  
• Travelling can reduce stress and anxiety, meaning that heading out on an adventure can also be good for your health. 
• Travel and relaxation is very beneficial for the gut and can improve the immune system and help with weight loss.
• Travelling can expose you to different foods. Diversity can be very beneficial for the gut microbiome.

However, travelling can also be rather expensive, meaning that we spend a lot more time at home than we would like. With that in mind, here are some top (purse-friendly) tips that you can use to make travelling a more regular occurrence moving forward! 

• Avoid costly hotel and flight fees by converting a van into a camper van. This means that you can head out on a road trip whenever you feel like it – the only thing you need is your keys. To get started, visit your Nearest Vauxhall Garage in search of the perfect van to convert!   I love our converted horse box. It is a spacious 2 bedroom apartment on wheels. It means we sleep in our own bed and have freedom to stop where we like. 

• Work travelling into your budget – whether that means you plan to do at least one-day trip each month or put a set amount of money into a ‘travel bank account’ each month to use for future travels. For example, if you set aside an extra £10 a week for travel, you’ll have £520 to spend by the end of the year. 

• When travelling, keep an eye out for free activities to participate in. This means that you can avoid overpriced fees at the attractions that are typically geared towards tourists, making the entire process a little kinder on your bank account. It also means that you can get a more authentic feel for a town or city, as you are experiencing it the same way the locals do.

• Scour the internet for the best deals before you commit to a holiday. While it may be tempting to book your entire holiday through one site (i.e. pay for an all-inclusive package), you can sometimes save hundreds of pounds of the cost of the holiday by booking each element (hotels, flights, transport) separately. To get the most out of your money, use price comparison websites and speak to various holiday providers. For example, you can compare the cost of flights on sites such as Sky Scanner.

• While dining out in restaurants is a great benefit of travelling (especially when you get to try out new and nutritious foods), try to look out for accommodation with kitchen or cooking facilities. This is also useful if you are trying to stick to a healthy diet.