Keeping healthy on the road

A while ago I posted about an inspirational travel blog www.solbeam.com and was pleasently surprised when Sol herself commented on that very same post. So I finally sent her the email that I began writing back in Costa Rica. And in that email I asked the following question:

Q: I've experienced my share of colds/coughs/allergies/infections on the road and while it dampens the experience in a way, I realize the lesson was there to be learned, that in sickness we find health. And so, I'd like to ask: how do you deal with illness on the road and maintain a healthy diet, especially as a vegan?

I really appreciated her insightful response and so...

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Good morning and namaste Monica,

So I too have hosted a full spectrum of foreign parasites in my stomach and colon. But for some reason, the longer I travel, the stronger my immunity becomes to avoiding housing these critters and bacterias. Just the ol' "learn from experience" trick has given me a pretty broad and sharp intuition on what to eat, where to eat, how to wash it and how to keep myself clean. Even my allergies and colds have taken a vacation. Truth is, I've realized that the best anti-cold and bug preventative medicine for me, is simply feeling motivated, excited and alive. When I'm in India, what many would call the most unhygienic place on earth, I, for my heightened enthusiasm and inspiration, and virtually illness-free. And then I come to my parents house, sleep for 48 hours, and wake up with a fever, cold and allergies.

I read somewhere once that the actual purpose of a cold is to slow you down, and provide some time for isolation and reflection, away from people. I've spent a fair amount of time studying Vipassana meditation, which reflects heavily on the sensations of the body, and so (if I'm practicing daily) I find myself very alert and aware of my body. This way I can feel a cold before it shows any symptoms (I sleep one hour later than normal and feel a slight tingling behind my nose and throat) and then, instead of letting the cold force me into isolation, I simply go into isolation, retreat from everyone, take time to reflect on experiences that I may not have properly paid attention to. Okay. So perhaps this is a bit of silly philosophy, but it works for me. I do believe that all my illnesses are rooted in emotional or spiritual imbalances, and working to correct those first, usually brings my body back into equilibrium.

And eating properly (and fasting regularly) also help me maintain health. I'm no longer a strict vegan. I learned what I needed to, changed a majority of my eating habits, and have decided to take a middle path. So now I'm about 90% vegan, with allowances for nutrition and in order to avoid being a high-maintenance person (which was the hardest part about being a full vegan). But adopting a primarily vegan diet was certainly one of the best things I've ever done for myself. The move to raw and whole foods -- well it just fills me up; the same way a full and whole life does!

Anyway, I'm suddenly feeling terrible because I recently returned home and after two years of daily meditation, I haven't meditated for two weeks! Thank you SO much for reminding me how important this ritual is for me and renewing my dedication. I'm going to call you an omen and go sit right now.

Thanks Monica.

with love,
sol