"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." ~Seneca
As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, many of us find ourselves traveling more frequently. Whether it’s a beach vacation, a mountain retreat, or an Ayurvedic journey through India like the one I’m currently on, travel offers a wonderful escape from our daily routines. However, amidst the excitement, it’s easy to overlook our health and well-being.
Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent routine to ensure balance and harmony in our bodies, particularly for balancing our Vata dosha. Disrupting our regular habits can lead to imbalances, resulting in issues like indigestion, stress, and fatigue.
Six Travel Tips to Maintain Your Ayurvedic Routine
- Stay Hydrated with Warm Liquids: Drinking hot or warm liquids during your travel will help keep your digestion active and prevent bloating or gas.
- Lubricate Your Sinuses: Avoid dry sinuses by applying a small amount of ghee on your pinky finger and gently rubbing in small circles at the bottom part of your nostrils.
- Practice Deep Breathing: If you get anxious when flying, try deep breathing exercises. Place your hands on your abdomen, take a deep breath in, slowly exhale, and pause before your next inhale to help slow your breathing and calm your nerves.
- Snack Responsibly: Avoid dry snacks and sodas available at airports and on flights as they can cause dryness and roughness in your body. Pack nourishing snacks like dates for your travel days and opt for hot water or tea rather than carbonated drinks.
- Plan Your Self-Care: Research your destination and plan your activities to include time for self-care. Whether it’s a morning yoga session on the beach or an evening meditation, scheduling these activities ensures you don’t skip them.
- Prepare Ahead of Time: Make a packing list a week before traveling and aim to be packed at least one day before your trip. Allow yourself some downtime before your journey so you aren’t stressed out as you embark on your adventure.
Ayurvedic Packing List
To help you stay balanced and healthy while traveling, here’s a packing list of Ayurvedic essentials:
- Herbal Teas: Consider options like our COVID Prana Tea, which is excellent for maintaining health.
- Essential Oils: Rose decreases anxiety. Neroli helps with relaxation and sleep. Peppermint helps with nausea and headaches.
- Nutmeg: A wonderful aid to calm your mind and promote sleep. Mix a moderate size pinch with a cup of high fat milk on the first night at your destination. Please use caution if pregnant or if you have hyperacidity.
- Digestive Aids: Include options like ginger capsules to support digestion.
- Ghee: For lubricating your sinuses as mentioned above.
- Yoga Mat and/or Meditation Cushion: Many resorts offer these, so check with your destination to see what they provide.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated with a good quality, reusable bottle.
- Healthy Snacks: Pack nourishing options like roasted nuts with salt and cumin or dates, and opt for fresh fruit where available.
Traveling through India has reinforced the importance of maintaining a consistent routine, even when on the go.
The Ayurvedic practices and items I’ve incorporated into my travel routine have not only kept me healthy but have also enriched my journey, making it a truly holistic retreat.
As you embark on your own summer travels, I encourage you to embrace the principles of Ayurveda. Let Ayurveda guide you in creating a travel experience that nourishes your mind, body, and soul, just as it has done for me on my Ayurvedic journey through India. Safe travels and stay balanced!
