I’ve always loved to travel, and have had the great privilege to have been to every continent other than Antarctica! In my younger days I didn’t have much trouble adapting to the challenges of travel, but as time goes on I’ve noticed the stress it can put on your mind and body.
Ayurveda explains how travel affects us: Movement and change, especially the fast pace of cars and planes, increase Vata (Air and Space) Dosha, which has a tendency to cause anxiety, trouble sleeping, spaciness, and difficulty digesting. Plus traveling accross time zones throws off our circadian rhythms, which is why we get jet lag.
So I’ve picked up some helpful tips to stay centered, promote clarity, and regulate sleep and digestion while traveling:
Start the day with hot water to alkalize, detoxify, hydrate and promote a natural bowel movement. If you have access to them, add some lemon juice and fresh ginger; you can also carry lemon ginger tea bags.
Drink plenty of water and some electrolytes during the day. Travel, especially on planes, can be very dehydrating. When traveling to foreign countries make sure the water you’re drinking is pure and safe for you to consume.
Make time to connect with your inner compass each day with meditation, yoga, or a morning walk. Being off your routine can really disregulate your nervous system, so doing something that gets you into your body or connected with nature will be very grounding.
Keep to your usual routines as much as possible, but be flexible to your hosts and traveling companions.
It’s fun to try new foods and splurge while on holiday, but if you suffer from indigestion or constipation, aim to eat simply and focus on grounding foods like cooked grains and legumes, light dairy like fresh feta, steamed or lightly sautéed vegetables, and if you’re not vegetarian, light meats. Avoid meats that have been sitting after cooking, and minimize raw salads, crunchy dried foods, fried and heavy foods, and too much caffeine and alcohol (which are dehydrating and increase Vata Dosha).
Make time for an afternoon rest (but don’t sleep) to pacify Vata Dosha which is most active during the hours of 2-6pm. Avoid the temptation to nap when in a new time zone, which will increase jet lag and delay accustoming to the new schedule.
When traveling to a new time zone, get outside during the first hour of sunlight and the last hour before sunset to help your body align with the new circadian rhythms. You can support sleep with melatonin, and sedative herbs like jatamansi, passionflower, hops, and ashwaghanda. If you can, brew these herbs into hot milk or almond milk and drink an hour before bedtime.
Consider taking the Ayurvedic digestion formula Triphala at bedtime to normalize digestive patterns and avoid constipation. For simplicity’s sake you can bring it in tablet form.
Get outside and admire the nature wherever you are, whether it’s in a city park or scenic destinations. Getting in touch with nature is the top way to regulate your nervous system and connect you to your own nature.
