Ayurvedic Travel Tips

How many times have you returned home from even the most amazing trip and stated, “I need a vacation from my vacation”?

Chances are, we all have! Even the most incredible travel can be exhausting. This is a result of travel being vata vitiating. Vata, the dosha made of the elements of air and ether, is easily thrown out of balance with any type of travel. Air and ether have the qualities of being mobile, cold and variable – which are the same qualities we encounter when we travel.

For example, consider an airplane where we not only experience a very quick rate of speed (mobility) but we move through the atmosphere, causing great variability in a cold metal machine. And, since like increases like – this is the perfect recipe for an extreme vata imbalance. A vata imbalance can mean difficulty sleeping, digestion issues, dry bowels/skin/lips, trouble focusing or getting back into our routines when we return and sometimes even more significant issues.

Hey, I’m not knocking it. Travel by plane is a modern miracle that I, for one, am not willing to give up in honor of my Ayurvedic lifestyle. But, I’ve learned that having a travel plan to keep me in check allows me to enjoy my travel AND my return home much more!

In order to help you enjoy your summer travels to the best of your ability and to return home in the right shape to jump back in, I’ve prepared some helpful travel tips below.

The night before you travel:

1) To moisten the colon before travel and to preserve proper elimination, drink a cup of warm milk with 1 teaspoon oil. For dairy consumers – milk + ghee works best. If you don’t do dairy – flax milk or any other alternative you enjoy with coconut oil will do the trick. This combo is unctuous for the body and helps prevent constipation.

2) Give yourself an Abhyanga treatment. This is a self-massage and can be done with sesame oil (cooler months) or coconut oil (warmer months). Lubricating the body helps prevent an overall drying out. Use a rhythmic movement as we are attempting to create rhythm in the body as much as possible since travel is pretty much about going out of rhythm. Follow up with a nice hot shower. This will calm the nervous system and allow you to start your trip on the right foot!

During travel:

1) Bring a thermos with warm water. If you are going through airport security, have your thermos filled at the Starbucks or other coffee shop. They are super gracious about giving you warm water. Sip on the warm water throughout your trip to keep the body warm and moistened throughout and to keep agni kindled for good digestion.

2) Oleate! Immediately before and during long travel, oil the soles of the feet, the ears and at the top point of the head (just a small dab!). These areas have marma points that reach the nervous system.

3) When possible, rest during travel. Use an eye mask, ear plugs, warm clothes and socks to keep the body warm and to avoid increased coolness in the body while you attempt to rest during travel. When you’re on a plane, even if you can’t sleep, cover the eyes with a mask and rest to receive rejuvenation. If sleep or rest isn’t possible, be sure to take nice long breaths, smile often, and remain present with your body.

4) Apply grounding essential oils. Scent is a powerful tool and has an immediate impact on the body. Grounding, earth-type oils are best to counter the movement and variability. Vetiver, sandalwood, and cedar are a few of my favorites.

5) When possible, pack your travel foods. Warm foods that are prepared at home for the day of travel can be supportive in maintaining balance and making the travel easier on the body.

On your trip:

1) Vacation constipation is for real! This term makes me laugh because I didn’t learn it until I was almost 40 years old but I’ve experienced it time and again! Being out of our routine IMMEDIATELY impacts our elimination. And elimination is important for health and comfort; both necessary for travel enjoyment. Counter the effects of dryness in the colon by drinking warm water every morning upon waking. If you are able, add a touch of lemon to the water.

2) Let go of the expectations to have the same routine you are used to. Realize that the enjoyment of travel requires flexibility and that if you incorporate the elements, you can remain in balance even despite the variability in your schedule. Chances are, you are taking this trip because of your need to get out of the daily routine and reconnect to self. Let go and live!

3) Still, routine is important to our bodies and helps our physical body trust us. Consider implementing TWO routines – eat around the same time every day during travel and sleep around the same time every day. This builds trust with the body to have effective digestion and to ensure adequate energy. We don’t want to over-deplete the body on a trip that is meant to rejuvenate! Food and sleep are important for creating harmony in the body.

4) At mealtimes, focus on eating warm foods. Warm and juicy foods increase ojas (vitality and immunity) and, therefore, the body’s ability to sustain the stress of traveling. Cooked or warm foods are also easier on the digestive system.

5) When eating out, don’t feel the need to eat a huge meal. Check your portion size. Share with a travel companion or choose multiple side dishes in leiu of a large entree, and eat to only about 75% full to support proper digestion and to keep your energy up. Huge meals are a lot for the body and can make one sluggish and have low energy.

6) Bring spices and supplies to have at least one home cooked meal per day. This can be as simple as instant oatmeal with cinnamon and dates prepared in the hotel room. Avoid cold, dry snacks (ie; save the popcorn and crackers for at home!) Enjoy adequate fruit and greens to ensure health - the depletion of travel can impact your immunity.

7) Stay in harmony with your travel companions. Keep the peace. Travel isn’t a great time to bring up family issues, to have an intervention, or to judge how people are managing life or travel circumstances. Note that some people are a lot more able to handle a peaceful and comfortable travel experience than others. Keep the peace and enjoy!

Upon return home:

1) Practice abhyanga.

2) Monitor eating and sleeping habits.

3) Get plenty of rest and ease back into your expectations of self.

Wishing you luck and happy travels this summer and beyond!!!