Pre-Travel Wellness Tips from Metro Integrative Experts

Travel is supposed to be fun and relaxing, but it can bring unexpected surprises—from tummy troubles to dehydration—that take away from the experience. The staff of Metro Integrative Pharmacy, at Lexington Avenue between 68th and 69th Streets, includes nutritionists, aestheticians, herbalists and naturopaths who can dispense free pre-travel advice to people seeking natural ways to feel and look great on the move.

“The biggest challenge to wellness when traveling is probably stomach upset,” says Karen Wright, a doctor of traditional naturopathy. “The distress results from changes in diet and exposure to different types of bacteria in food and water. The most impactful way to counter these influences is to take probiotics, starting a month before your trip.”

For travelers prone to motion sickness, Wright suggests ginger in chewable or supplement form, taken at least 20 minutes before transit. To prevent dehydration, in addition to drinking lots of water, she recommends electrolyte powder packets, which are easy to carry and mix with water.

Dehydration, along with fatigue, is also a major beauty concern, according to licensed aesthetician Caroline Nuytten. Her advice, especially for plane travel, is to moisturize every two hours. “On the day of the trip, wear only moisturizer and keep reapplying it. If you simply can’t be without foundation, add a tinted moisturizer upon landing.”

She also recommends a facial mist such as Cellular Water from Esthederm, which replenishes water loss to help maintain skin’s vitality; eye contour patches to reduce puffiness; and a single-packet facemask, used upon arrival at the hotel, to clean and hydrate.

All of metro’s credentialed holistic health practitioners offer complimentary consultations, either walk-in or by appointment, to help people look and feel their best whether at home or on the road. Metro also offers traditional pharmacy services, health information and natural, organic and sustainable product lines, including travel-sized products.

Metro Integrative is located at 931 Lexington Avenue, between 68th and 69th Streets in New York, NY. For more information, call 212-794-7200, email [email protected] or visit MetroIntegrative.com.