With the travel bug making its rounds this month's end accompanied by the light frost of Fall around the corner, let’s make sure that nothing rains on your parade when visiting new places or catching up with family.
As exciting as traveling is, in Ayurveda, the combined acts of moving rapidly in a mode of transport, long hours of sitting, and the heat build-up from transitioning through time zones and climates don’t just put our body through duress but also throw its natural rhythm, especially our doshas, out of sync.
To avoid any dosha-induced discomfort while traveling, here are a few fool-proof Ayurvedic tips to combat travel threats caused by weather, time, dietary choices, and other conditions.
1
Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, moving at a pace faster than naturally intended can trigger the erratic tendencies of Vata dosha imbalance. Vata dosha governs movement, and when aggravated leaves your body vulnerable to travel anxiety, muscle aches, dehydration, sleep challenges, skin dryness, joint stiffness, hard stool, restlessness, erratic thoughts, zoning out, and even jet lag.
Pop two pills of Ashwagandha after breakfast, lunch, and dinner respectively, starting on the day before traveling. Ashwagandha’s wealth of Withaferin-A, withanone, tannins, and flavonoids provide deep-seated nourishment for your nervous system, muscles, and joints which tense up during travels.
Replenish your skin’s hydration reserves naturally with the beta-carotene goodness of Kumkumadi Thailam (Healthy Face Oil) by applying it overnight before your journey so your skin remains soft, supple, and shielded from the moisture-stripping effects of travel.
Keep your body internally warm, nourished, lubricated, and satiated while fending off unhealthy cravings by munching on pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashew nuts, raisins, dates, and seasonal fruit or fruit juices like grape and warm water which gives you adequate healthy fat, hydration, and natural fiber to evade digestive backlog and ensure easy elimination, instead of in-flight junk food like chips or peanuts.
Filter out the germ-ridden, stagnant air you inhale during your travels with a lubricating nasal oil like Anu Thailam for its lung-protective antioxidants of gangetin, phytosteroids, and tocopherol. Apply a drop in each nostril every 3-6 hours and inhale to deter nasal irritation, dispel sensitivity, and calm the nervous system while preventing the onset of a flu or cold.
2
Traveling involves a lot of sitting or standing in the same position for long periods in congested arrangements, which can trigger the underactive tendencies of Kapha dosha imbalance. Kapha dosha governs structure, and when aggravated causes depression, grogginess, toxin accumulation, lethargy, and stagnation, especially in the gut.
Stay on track by taking a Triphala pill in the morning and the evening with warm water before you take off and after you reach your destination. Triphala’s polyphenols, anthocyanins, and terpenes provide complete gut balance restoration, nourish the gut biome, stimulate gut motility, prevent fluid retention, and provide anti-inflammation support.
Do simple stretches and spine exercises in the aisle of your flight or during pit stops on a road trip before, during (if possible), and after to keep the muscles and joints in your back, hips, and knees flexible and pain-free.
Keep your sinuses clear from the threat of colds due to humidity, pollution, or even chilly by wearing a mask outdoors and drinking warm ginger or lemon balm tea.
Laminate your immunity with the golden guard of Turmeric whose curcumin can discourage slumps in your lymphatic function. Take 1 pill with warm milk or water every night.
3
The stress of planning your travels, experiencing the climactic & temporal transitions, munching on excitable foods, and of course, trying the local delights is enough to fire up our energy levels yet overheat our physical and mental functions, triggering Pitta dosha imbalance. Pitta governs transformation, and when aggravated can cause sensitive skin, stinky sweat, inflammation, agitation, hot flashes, fever, negativity, diarrhea, and dehydration
Rein in that excitement with some mindful meditation and grounding activities such as deep belly breathing and Pranayama (rhythmic breathing exercises).
Relish the local delights and street food unencumbered by managing your metabolism and defending your digestion with nutraceuticals that can inhibit abnormal gut bacterial changes caused by internal body heat or hot and humid weather.
Consume half or 1 teaspoon of the following whole seed or powdered spice mix:
1 teaspoon of Cumin to help digest food the gut is unaccustomed to.1 teaspoon of Fennel to facilitate gut mobility and curb acidity.
Half a teaspoon of Ajwain to flush out ‘Ama’ or metabolic toxins from the gut due to the travel’s oxidative stress.
1 teaspoon of Dill to improve nutrient absorption from the food eaten and reduce lower back and spinal discomfort.
Eat cooked food while avoiding raw ones as it might contain pathogens or even become a digestive challenge for your gut to break down. This can weaken your metabolism and diminish the energy levels needed to enjoy your vacation.
Consume hydrating drinks and foods such as coconut water or cucumber salads after alcohol consumption and in extremely humid or hot weather so your body remains stocked up on electrolytes that are often lost through sweating or dehydration.
In case you experience diarrhea, try drinking a mixture of one part water, one part yogurt, and a teaspoon of Fenugreek seeds until your symptoms improve.
General Tip Before You Go:
If you’re traveling somewhere with lots of mosquitos, apply Vitex also called Nirgundi paste all over your body or on the surfaces exposed to mosquitoes, or use a Neem spray which is known to repel them.
As we always say, remain observant of any changes in your body before, during, and after your travels to soothe any dosha overreactions and experience more than just a stress-free journey.
P.S. For more, listen to Vaidya Jay’s Podcast On Travel Care Part 1 & Part 2.
As we always say, remain observant of any changes in your body before, during, and after your travels to soothe any dosha overreactions and experience more than just a stress-free journey.
P.S. For more, listen to Vaidya Jay’s Podcast On Travel Care Part 1 & Part 2.
