Travel Tips: Stay Healthy, Calm & Energized This Summer

by John Douillard on July 25, 2015 | 4 Comments

Average Reading Time: 2 minutes and 32 seconds

While we all look forward to a summer

vacation, many folks dread the travel. From an Ayurvedic perspective, the

vata dosha (or air energy) can easily become disturbed from flying or while

traveling. A new branch of medicine called Circadian Medicine has measured

the negative effect of travel stress (vata imbalance) on the nervous system.

As some of you may be flying or driving for your vacation, or even commuting

long distances for work, you can stay in balance with some of the following

suggestions to enjoy a smooth journey and arrive at your destination healthy

and refreshed.

Ashwagandha  (Withania somnifera)  is one of the classic adaptogens

that helps the body cope with stress and travel. It has been shown to

balance stress-fighting hormones and is classified as one of the few

brain-derived neurotropic factors (BDNF’s) that support brain cell

production. Take ashwagandha before, during, and after your flight to

support your health, immune system and nervous system. (1-6)

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is another BDNF that has been shown to

help the body reconnect with the circadian rhythms that are disturbed

when traveling. (7,8) Bacopa has an affinity for relaxing tension

throughout the system, making it an invaluable ally in tension-related

conditions such as congested and slow-moving bowels, muscle

tightness, menstrual discomfort and trouble sleeping.

Triphala – Occasional travelers’ constipation is typically a result of a

travel-related vata imbalance that causes dryness. We now know that

travel disturbs the circadian rhythms of digestion. (9) Taking triphala

during travel and for a couple of days after you arrive is a great way to

avoid occasional constipation and help get the body back on schedule.

(10)

Nasya – Dryness is a common issue during travel. Lubricating the

sinuses, or performing nasya, is a helpful and soothing protocol to

counteract this. Apply Nasya Oil or cold-pressed sesame oil to the

nostrils (1-2 drops in each nostril) at least once during your flight, and

sniff the oil up into each nostril for maintaining nasal health and well-

lubricated nasal passages. (11-14) Nasya can help support mental clarity

and energy during and after travel.

Drink warm water or ginger tea while in the air – avoid cold or bubbly

drinks on the plane. You can bring ginger tea bags with you. Drinking

ginger tea can help keep you feeling warm, grounded, and healthy while

your immune system is exposed to new environments. (15-19)

Gentle Digest – This formula is a combination of coriander, cumin,

fennel, cardamom and ginger to antidote gas, bloating or digestive

distress from travel or new and different hard-to-digest foods. (20-23)

Eat warm, moist foods during the trip and upon arrival at your

destination. Avoid cold, dry foods.

Enjoy an oil abhyanga (self-massage) once you arrive and settle. First,

plan to rest, and take a warm bath or shower. While in the shower or

after, give yourself a massage and even put a few drops of the oil in your

ears and nose. You can also gargle with it (oil pulling). These practices

help to balance the vata or the stress on the nervous system and to

regulate the circadian clock during travel. (24,25)

Bring a warm sweater or shawl on the plane to ensure you stay warm.

Focus on your breath and quiet your mind during take-off and landing

to reduce anxiety and calm vata during the transitions in and out of the

air. Take long slow and deep nasal breaths and gently allow your

awareness to focus on your breath. If driving a long distance, this will

also be calming. You can also practice my One Minute Meditation or try

my Free Meditation Training during travel to stay calm.

What are your favorite Ayurvedic travel tips?

This article was originally published April 16, 2009. It was revised and

republished July 25, 2015.