Have you ever fallen ill when on holiday? It’s not fun but sometimes it happens.  I’m at the tail end of a nasty chest cold that had me grounded for an entire day of my 5 days in Victoria, BC.

Not one to run to a doctor every time I get a cough, I used positive thoughts, rest and natural food items to better myself.

Of course, I drank lots: water, fresh juice and lots of tea with ginger, lemon and honey. Rest was a blessing and I enjoyed a day in bed. I also went to extreme measures and ate raw garlic and mint leaves. Epsom salt baths helped draw out the toxins.

This is not the first time I’ve been sick whilst on holiday.

When I was 20, I went to Daytona Beach, Florida on a Spring Break trip with my flatmates and after much drinking and kissing strangers, I developed strep throat. I do believe that was the most painful physical illness I have ever gone through. Having to see (and pay) a doctor in the USA was just as painful. Of course, I was put on an anti-biotic that had me partying again in a few days. Those were the days!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And 3 years ago when my family and I were visiting family in eastern Canada, my then 3-year-old son picked up a 24-hour tummy bug. Suddenly, he started vomiting in the rental car and then continued through the night. Thankfully, he was fine the next day. I was not as fortunate. I got it and along with vomiting, I got diarrhoea too. This happened with such bad timing as we were meant to have dinner with my Dad and his partner. I postponed it by a day but even when we did show up, I spent most of my time there in bed or in his bathroom. To make matters worse, my Dad contracted the bug after we left.

It didn’t end there. We spent the night with a friend and I had such awful gas and bloating that I had to run back and forth to the toilet all evening. It was so embarrassing. My hubby couldn’t even stand me being in the same bed as him and I was forced to sleep on my friend’s sofa. It was truly horrible.

After that, we travelled back to the west coast of Canada where my bowel issues continued for another day or two.

So, I feel grateful for a chest cold at this time.On day 2 of my healing, I went out on the water in search of whales. It was a great time and I believe the sun and salt air did me good.

 

I’m on the mend and now off for an exfoliation massage, which could not have been scheduled at a better time!! Everything is working out for my higher good.

Do you have any travel illness stories? What did you do to overcome it?