The “Jet Setters” Guide to Travel

It’s that time of year again!

SUMMERTIME = travel time.☀️

Many of us are excited to go ANYWHERE in the summertime. Who doesn’t need a break?

Whether traveling by air, car, train, or bus, these TIPS will keep you feeling grounded, great, and having fun.

Use these guidelines to counter the effects of air travel, which impacts our bodies the most. You can also apply these guidelines to any other form of travel that takes you out of your daily rhythm and routines.

I don’t know about you, but I often experience low anxiety levels around air travel. This is because there are so many moving parts - will I get to the airport on time, did I forget any important documents, will I get stuck in a middle seat, will I get there safely, will the kids behave (if you have smalls), will I get the connecting flight, will my bags arrive… and on and on and on.

Read on for helpful tips to make travel and returning home more relaxed, enjoyable, and healthier.

EAT LIGHT & FRESH

 With travel, the winds of change are in the air. Ayurveda refers to this as Vata Dosha, which has the qualities of air, ether, space, and movement- makes sense, right? Those are the elements present when we travel by plane. This can result in feeling ungrounded, anxious, and even spacey as we move from one place to another, jumping time zones and often missing out on sleep. When this happens, our digestion is disrupted, leaving us feeling lethargic, dry, bloated, gassy, and even constipated after long plane trips.

To help lighten the effects, don't weigh your gut down with wheat, cheese, red meat, tofu, or processed foods. Instead, choose food with the opposite qualities of warmth, moist, oily, and soupy. Think easy to digest. If food is served or you bring your own, choose soup over a dry, cold sandwich or a warm chili over chips and a cheese platter.

Eat a little lighter the day during and the day after air travel, and hydrate. 

Below are my favorite 'GO-TO" tips for travel, whether by plane, train, car, or mule. 😉

STAY HYDRATED

Wherever I go, I bring an empty thermos. If flying and going through security, fill your bottle at the local Starbucks with hot water. Sip during the flight. If you experience nausea, add a few drops of ginger essential oil or even a slice of fresh ginger. My favorite thing to do is add some spice (literally) to my warm water.These spices are whole, untoasted coriander, fennel, and cumin seeds. The tea is known as CCF tea. 

If carrying a thermos with you is unfamiliar, focus on staying hydrated and sipping water regularly. Avoid consuming copious amounts of liquids all at once, or you’ll spend the entire trip having to pee. Sip Sip Sip.

FEED YOUR LUNGS

Here are two breathing practices to calm the mind, manage stress, and balance the entire physiology. I don’t know about you, but I often experience nervousness before getting in a giant metal tube that shoots through the ski at high speeds.These practices below are excellent, too, if you’re traveling with others (especially kids) and need time to chill out and get centered.

Nadi Shodhanam (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Sit with a straight spine and relax. Using the thumb and ring finger of the right hand, close the right nostril with the thumb, exhale, and then inhale through the left nostril. Close the left nostril with the ring finger, exhale, and inhale through the right nostril. Continue breathing deeply through alternate nostrils for about two minutes. Nadi shodhanam is deeply calming and energizing—ideal for relieving tension or boredom on airplanes.

Sahaja Pranayama (Watching Your Breath)

Sit in a comfortable position with your back and neck straight and relaxed. Close your eyes and observe your breath. Observe the temperature changes in your nostrils and throat. Slowly move your awareness to your lungs and observe the expansion and contraction as you breathe. Trace the breath from the tips of your nostrils deep into the lungs.

Tip: Count to 27 while exhaling to keep the awareness on your breath. 

EXERCISE

• Look for movement breaks to stir your breath and move prana (life force). Whether that be on a flight, in a car, or another.

• If you're flying and have 20 minutes (or even 5) between flights, go for a walk or find a quiet place to do sun salutations. Many airports have yoga rooms with mats, props, and a calm space. 

• On the airplane, stretch and twist, get up and walk around as much as possible. Good circulation is essential to health and good immunity while traveling. Long periods of sitting can cause swollen ankles and stagnation. If you're driving, stop, smell the roses and move your body at least every hour or so. 

• Once you arrive at your destination, put your legs up the wall to ease swelling and reverse circulation.

Don't worry about appearing "strange" - you'll be the one with fewer aches and pains upon arrival (I've been known to hop into a handstand while waiting for a flight... I'm fine with strange)

OIL UP