Yogis' Best Travel Tips

I’ve just spent 6 weeks in Peru and I’m on my way back to Olympia, WA.  But my summer travels don’t stop here.  We’ll be packing up and heading to visit family in the Midwest and in the Inter-mountain states, and then at the very end of the summer, the kids and I are headed to music camp in the Redwoods. 

I have spent most summers on the go for as long as I can remember.  By foot, plane, train, bus, car, taxi.  Sleeping in airports, hotels, homes, cabins, and cabins.  I’m a pretty darn good traveler, but it hasn’t always been this way.  I truly love the stimulation of traveling – taking in new landscapes, meeting new people, tasting new foods, etc.  Yet, I also struggle with transitions.  Change isn’t always easy for me.  Traveling tends to stress the body and mind.  Traveling can be very un-grounding. In the past, traveling has tended to exacerbatedigestive and sleep issues for me.

That’s where yoga and Ayurveda come in.  Now, no matter where I am on the planet, I have solid routine,  effective travel tips, foods and remedies that keeps my body-mind healthy and happy.  In this blog, I share my best travel tips:

Stay hydrated. This is my number one travel tip.  It’s so easy to get dehydrated while traveling.  In my experience, dehydration leads to grumpiness and poor digestion.  I always travel with my water bottle, and if it’s cold, I bring a thermos with hot water.  Ayurveda recommends room temperature and/or warm water rather than cold beverages for sound digestion.  To feel at home, I like to travel with a few of my favorite herbal tea bags. . 

Travel with nourishing and grounding food.  There is nothing worse than being hungry while traveling, and there is nothing worse than being somewhere like an airport terminal or gas station convenience store with no good food choices.  I love to try new foods wherever I am, but on travel days, I always bring along my own nourishing food.  Fresh fruit, raw veggies and nuts are a must.  Instant oatmeal is great for early morning breakfasts on the go (simply add hot water to a thermos cup).  Other options are avocados and fresh bread, par-cooked veggies or salads.  To make sure I get my daily dose of greens, I like to bring along super greens powder to add to juice or water.

Support your digestion.  These are some ways I support my digestion while traveling:

• Ginger tea. Drink throughout the day and after a heavy meal.
• Triphala. Take the Ayurvedic remedy Triphala in capsule or powdered form with warm water before bed for smooth digestion.
• Add chia seeds to your favorite drink.  Chia seeds are great for energy and they support bowel regularity.

Stick to a routine.  No matter where I am, I follow the same morning and evening routine.  My routine helps me feel at home wherever I am.  My AM routine includes waking up early, drinking warm water, doing my meditation practice and doing at least 10 minutes of yoga asana before breakfast.  In the PM, I strive to go to bed before 10 PM.  Before bed, I drink a cup of herbal tea and massage my feet with oil before bed.  A foot massage relieves stress and fatigue from travel and helps settle the nervous system for sleep.

Do your yoga.  A few poses every day while traveling will help your body feel comfortable and strong.  Whether your travel includes lots of plane or car time, or lots of hiking, a few sun salutations in the morning or some supine poses in the evening will refresh, enliven and keep your body from getting stiff or sore.  (Yoga on the go? Check out my audio practice files – play right from your smartphone.)

Get Herbal Support.  I’m a big fan of herbal essential oils for travel.  I use lavender to  reduce stress.  Peppermint and ginger help with motion sickness and improve digestion.  Eucalyptus is great respiratory support.  Citronella is great for repelling insects. 
 
Interested in learning more?
If you are interested in support to align your body and lifestyle with the wisdom of yoga and Ayurveda, and if you are interested in better understanding how you can create a daily routine to support your health, please contact me.  As a Yoga Health Coach, I am a holistic wellness provider, trained and practiced in the daily habits and health principles of yoga and Ayurveda. I help people up-level their habits for vibrant living.