11 Ayurvedic Travel Tips

11 Ayurvedic Travel Tips
(to keep you balanced while you are on the road!)

Summer is officially here and most likely you will find yourself traveling. Whether it is by trains, planes, automobiles or even boats to visit friends, family or see the beauty of nature you will probably go somewhere. This month I am sharing ayurvedic tips to keep Pitta cool as a cucumber, Vata grounded and graceful, and Kapha away from the cookies and lattes at Starbucks. OK, all three doshas need to watch this last one!

Traveling can be fun but it can also throw our systems way out of balance. For our air and ether Vata friends, flying 450mph at 30,000 feet will do quite a job on their sensitive system. Irregularity in the body and mind leaves them feeling spacy, constipated, extra dry and generally out of sorts.

The fiery Pitta individual may become frustrated with the long lines of TSA or the infant crying next to them. If traveling by car, their intense nature may be provoked by unexpected traffic congestion. Pitta types do not like to be delayed.

For our lovely sweet Kapha travel is typically a little easier because they can go with the flow and usually nap most of the time. The biggest hurdle is not overeating heavy food and indulging too many sweets while on vacation.

I invite you to try a few of these tips this Summer and reap the benefit of balanced travel.

1) Oil before you go. Give yourself a nice abhyanga (self-massage) before you head out the door. Set the foundation for calming the nerves and grounding before you begin your travels. Once you arrive at your destination give yourself another massage in the evening before bed to prepare for sleep.

2) Nasya oil to coat the nasal passages. I cannot stress the benefit of using nasya oil, especially when flying. Breathing recycled air is an easy way to pick up a bug on a plane. This is not a good way to start a vacation - or return to work! Lubricate your nostrils well with oil before takeoff. Then use a neti pot to rinse out your sinuses when you arrive at your destination. 

3) Oil your ears.......Really, this does help. One of the main seats of Vata is in the ears. If we can keep the ears lubricated it will help to keep Vata balanced. Put two drops of warm sesame oil in each ear and give a little rub. Honestly, I just use my nasya oil when on the road so I don't have to carry a bunch of 1oz bottles of oil with me. 

4) Compression travel socks. On long flights, the effects of jet lag and are greatly reduced when wearing compression socks. By squeezing the feet and caves your blood will flow more evenly through your body. This will help to increase oxygen in your torso and brain - plus your feet won't become swollen. Ask any flight attendant, this does make a difference. I always massage some extra oil on my feet before putting on my socks on as an added insurance to calm Vata.

5) Ginger tea for travel. Ginger in Ayurveda is known as the universal medicine. Traveling will typically disrupt digestion which will, in turn, disrupt everything else. I carry a small vile of ginger powder and drink warm ginger tea before during and after travel. 

6) When you arrive at your destination connect with the planet. Take your shoes off and stand on the earth. This will help your system to catch up to where you are and help you to realign yourself with your circadian rhythm. 

7) Try some Triphala. Constipation is common while traveling.  Triphala is a classic Ayurvedic herbal remedy that helps to regulate the bowels. It is extremely helpful in preventing constipation and is beneficial in calming jet lag. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the powder to a cup of boiling water and steep for about 10 minutes, until it is cool enough to drink. You can strain out the herbs before you drink it or leave them at the bottom of your cup. 

8) Carry some dosha specific aromatherapy oil to remain calm and balanced. Essential oils for balancing Vata: you may want to try grapefruit which is energizing or ginger oil as an antinausea or to balance equilibrium. Clary Sage is soothing and lavender is balancing. Cypress and vetiver are both very grounding.

There are many aromatherapy options for calming and balancing the pitta individual while traveling. Try some Lime to aid in detoxification. Palmarosa is clarifying and uplifting. Geranium, Lavender, Rose, and Ylang-Ylang are all good too.

For Kapha, good options are bergamot which is refreshing and will keep them present. Tulsi will aid in digestion and is a mental stimulant. Juniper will help with fluid retention and is also a stimulant. Rosemary is a decongestant and a digestive aid and may also help with fluid retention. Clove and Cinnamon are both stimulating while the latter promotes circulation.

9) A long journey can cause the skin on the face to become puffy. Try "palming" your cheeks at regular intervals. Rub your hands together to create some energy and warmth then lean forward in your seat and rest your face in your hands for a few minutes really helps. This light pressure on skin tissue reduces puffiness. I love to use some rosewater mist too.

10) Whether on a plane or driving over a mountain pass, try these simple moves to relieve sinus pressure build up. Press gently under the eyes from inside to outside, massage the base of the ears in slow circular motions, and use revolving pressure on the temples with fingertips. Ujjayi breath will help keep the nasal passages open. To do this, slightly constrict the back of the throat when inhaling and exhaling, as if you were fogging a mirror. Make the breath long and even. You will get the added benefit of calming the mind too.

11) If you are flying, aggravated Vata from the movement and the cold forced air on board can settle in the neck. Keep a light wrap with you to cover the neck, shoulders, ears. Dr. Vasant Lad of the Ayurvedic Institute even recommends covering the top of your head. 

If you see any of these products and would like to purchase, feel free to follow the links and/or use the Bayan Botanicals site and my promo code: MOKSHA10 for 10% off your purchase!  Or send me a message and get you what you need from my apothecary. 
 

Happy trails ayurvedic travelers.