5 Ayurvedic travel tips: how to stay healthy on the road

Our top Ayurvedic tips for travel health help you see the world with a smile

Whether you’re ready to jump on a plane and escape to a green zone country or discovering nearby peaks and valleys via back roads this summer, the cautious return of travel means the return of its sidekick - disturbed circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm is your physiology’s natural 24-hour cycle, and it’s influenced by external cues like sunlight. When you travel, you may change time zones, skip meals or miss sleep, throwing off your inner clock and your trip of a lifetime can be tarnished by bloating, constipation, fatigue, insomnia and dry skin. 

Yoga’s holistic sister science Ayurveda attributes these symptoms to excess Vata (wind), meaning the high-velocity (and often high altitude) movement of travel increases the air and space elements in your physiology. The effect is like wind blowing across the desert — it dries you out and rattles your mind, disturbing digestion, sleep and circulation.

Annoying, yes, but the side effects of travel certainly don’t outweigh its benefits. Travel is spiritual nutrition; it makes you more tolerant, opens your eyes and tastebuds to new experiences, your mind to new concepts, and is the only thing money can buy that makes you richer. So can you enjoy these mind opening experiences without the discomfort of constipation or brain fog?

Ayurveda has lots of tips that you can integrate into your vacation to ease some of the less welcome effects. And the best news: they’re easy and portable. Here are our top Ayurvedic tips for travel health so you can see the world with a smile:

Triphala

The number one complaint when it comes to travel is constipation, and Ayurveda has a foolproof ancient remedy. Triphala is a safe, simple combination of three Indian fruits that has been used for centuries to improve digestion and promote elimination. Starting the night before your departure, take 2-3 tablets at bedtime with warm water and you’ll stay regular until you’re back in your own bed again.

Warm Water

There’s always a cooler full of icy cold gulps on the road, but warm water is kinder to your digestion which is already struggling with time change and convenience food. Bring a thermos with warm water on road trips, or ask the coffee shop after security at the airport to fill it up for you, and sip frequently to stay hydrated.

Dried Fruit

We all know fiber helps elimination, but fresh fruit is bulky, bruisable and has a short shelf life. Tasty dried fruits such as dates, figs and raisins squeeze into your pack, last longer, and provide a healthy source of energy for long days hiking or sightseeing.

Oil Massage

Your skin is the first line of defense against air conditioning, climate changes, sunscreen and chlorine so it’s no surprise you can end up feeling dry and itchy on day one. Traditionally, Ayurveda recommends a daily massage with sesame oil to nourish your skin, but coconut oil, which solidifies, may make a more practical option for your hand luggage. Massage oil into your skin before you shower on the day you travel and decant some into a small jar and bring it with you in place of moisturizer.

Tongue Scraper

No practitioner of Ayurveda ever leaves home without a tongue scraper! On the first morning of your trip, you may notice a white covering on your tongue (usually accompanied by bad breath). This is called Ama in Ayurveda, meaning toxicity, and is a byproduct of your metabolism trying to cope with undigested food. Scraping it off each morning removes toxic particles from your tongue and stimulates your taste buds so you can make the most of new culinary delights!

(Editor’s note: an earlier version of this article can be found at Yoga+Life Magazine here)