There is no better feeling than landing in a new country. After a long flight and taxi ride to your Airbnb, finally slipping on some clean clothes, you exit onto the vibrant city streets, ready to explore! Suddenly that really good feeling is interrupted with a crappy (heh) one: serious constipation. 

Your plans to wander the local market, enjoy a long espresso while observing street style, and hitting the art gallery are rudely cut short by horrendous gastrointestinal pain. Know that feeling? When your stomach is in knots and bloated in such an uncomfortable way that don’t feel yourself AT ALL? Lady, we’ve been there. It isn’t fun, especially when you’re holidaying with a new lover. (Long story for another time.)

As adults, we can all agree that pooping is natural, yet a recent poll revealed that seven-in-ten (71%) Canadians reported that they would feel comfortable discussing bowel movements with their doctor, only two-in-five (43%) would feel comfortable discussing the subject with their partner, and even fewer would discuss it with a close friend (22%). Why so taboo? It’s just poo!

#OwnTheThrone: Make your tummy’s health a priority! Tips for when you’re in a bind, literally:

Get yourself into child’s pose on the hotel bed and let it out (y’know), and this is fine, but walking will also get things going. Exercise is so important for a healthy gut!

Ensure you are getting enough fruits, veggies, legumes and grains in your diet! (We keep fruit bars in our purse when travelling.)

WATER! Drink plenty of water each day and decrease your intake of caffeinated, alcoholic, and sugar-rich sweetened beverages.

Avoid greasy food.

Choose fruits high in pectin, like apples, pear, strawberries and lychees.

Beyond the health tips listed above, keep a pack of Dulcolax in your toiletries bag, for gentle overnight relief. Hot weather, new environments, jet lag and a change of diet are all things that can affect your gut health. If things get out of whack while on your honeymoon, or on an exciting adventure across Europe, don’t let constipation ruin your vacation! 

Packing Essentials For Happy Stress-Free Travels:

Because packing for a trip is thrilling, and we’re seasoned travellers, here are eight pretty things you may want to toss in your suitcase to make your trip stylish and easy.

1. The Versatile Outfit

A fun floral romper is versatile and ideal for lightweight packing. Wear it to the beach, switch up the look with a denim jacket, add a bracelet or eye liner and it’s suddenly suitable for a late night date to the local tapas bar. (Our imaginary trip is to Barcelona, okay?)

2. Jacket For Layering

As mentioned above, you need one jacket that can layer on anything and everything for when the sun goes down and the night gets a welcomed & refreshing breeze. We love this Gap 1969 relaxed utility jacket.

3. Facial Toner

Everyone’s got their own beauty regime, but while travelling, keep it super simple. We keep a spray bottle of rosewater and witch hazel toner in our purse for quick spritzes on the go. This is especially key when you feel disgustingly dry on an airplane.

4. Shoes For Walking

Travelling is for walking. Don’t mess around with cutesy strappy sandals. Get something that feels good to wear while heading out for three-hour walks around city centres. We’re big fans of the classic Birkenstock. 

5. Cute Bather

Because this post wouldn’t be as fun if we didn’t include a cute bikini. We recently snatched this pink two-piece from COS; it has become the impetus of planning trips to the beach. 

6. Dulcolax

Whether you’re 3000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, checked into the Ritz, or discovering a gas station washroom on the side of a dirt road, you deserve to #OwnTheThrone and feel good about your bowel movements. One in four Canadians has symptoms of constipation and women are twice as likely to be constipated than men, sooooo PACK THIS.

7. Water

Our Swell insulated water bottle goes everywhere with us. Drink up, ladies! Water is the best thing for just about everything, including constipation.

8. Moisturizing Lipstick

We don’t bring the powder, the foundation, or any of that stuff. But we do bring one bright lipstick that makes us happy and keeps our lips feeling moisturized and supple. MWAH!

Everything will go a little smoother when you feel good on the inside, as well as the outside. Happy tummy = happy travels.