Chris Crossing America
How to Cope with 'Travel Constipation'
By Chris Faville
Mar 2, 2008, 14:36

Many complain about being “irregular” while traveling which is known as “Safe Toilet Syndrome” or “STS.”

This common condition is the result of being in an environment that’s not safe, or familiar (we must relax in order to eliminate).  So when we leave the comforts of home and get into a strange situation and environment, we don’t loosen up.

Other factors:  Change in diet – not enough fiber; dehydration; long periods of sitting down; and a change in circadian rhythms.

Travel constipation is also caused by stress and routine changes which will upset some people’s body clock. 

If you suffer from STS, then the good news is that you are not alone.  This is a condition that affects countless people across the nation.

The other good news is there is a way to combat this monster.

According to the Cleveland Clinic Department of Gastroenterology, here’s what you should do if you suffer from STS:

1. Drink 2 to 4 extra glasses of water a day.
2. Try warm liquids, especially in the morning.
3. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.
4. Eat prunes and bran cereal.
5. If needed, use a very mild stool softener or laxative (i.e. Milk of Magnesia).  Do not overuse laxatives as they may aggravate symptoms.

Goddess Queens, in order to Travel Well, please follow the abovementioned tips on how to deal with  – and conquer - this painful and frustrating phenomenon known as Safe Toilet Syndrome.

TRAVEL NEWS

Starting on May 5, 2008, United Airlines it will charge passengers with domestic nonrefundable economy tickets $25 to check a second bag.  This new luggage charge will be applied to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008.  Exempt from this new fee are those with Premier status or higher in United’s Mileage Plus program.  This discouraging news gives us more reason to pack lightly and to join airline mileage programs.

TRAVEL WEBSITE

Over the past few months, a handful of friends have brought to my attention about a terrific travel site called TRAVELZOO.COM.  This site describes itself as “the definitive email list of the week’s best airfare, hotel, vacation package, cruise, and rental car deals.”  So far, reviews have been tremendously positive.  My friend, Patrtcia, for example, booked four nights at a five star hotel in Las Vegas for a nominal rate.  This site has over 12 million subscribers, and signing up is easy….and it’s free.

QUOTE TO PONDER

“I have found that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them then to travel with them.

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it surely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.” ~ Mark Twain, 1835-1910
 

ONE MORE QUOTE TO PONDER

“But why, oh why do the wrong people travel, when the right people stay at home?” ~ Noel Coward, 1899-1973

TRAVEL WELL.

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Christopher Faville has been crisscrossing the country as a corporate spokesperson for approximately twenty years.  He happily lives in Los Angeles with his handsome lab-mix, Sam.  Please keep those emails coming!  Csfaville@aol.com.