Travelling is an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, immerse ourselves in new adventures, and relax. Depending on the purpose, location, and duration of your trip, your travel may range from being hectic to relaxing. Being adequately prepared for your trip can make the experience much more enjoyable and safer for you and your family. Whether you’re planning a short family vacation, a longer solo trip to volunteer abroad, or a business trip to Asia, there are several ways to stay healthy during this time.
Travel involves movement and changes in sleeping patterns, dietary habits, and physical activity. In Ayurveda, this is associated with increased vata dosha and is the primary factor to support while travelling, regardless of your constitution. In essence, you want to bring elements of stability and grounding to help compensate for the increase in vata. Ayurveda is all about understanding qualities and balancing opposites. You can make the most of your trip with these simple Ayurvedic and naturopathic tips.
TIPS FOR HEALTHY TRAVEL
Stay Grounded on the Flight
A good start to your trip begins during the flight. Spending hours in the air, restrained in your seat, can leave you feeling drained. Try gentle exercises while you sit or frequently walk up and down the aisle to promote circulation and oxygenation. You may also benefit from practicing meditation and breathing techniques to stay grounded and reduce the effects of jet lag. For those who experience anxiety or insomnia, herbal teas such as chamomile or lemon balm can help calm the nerves; you can pack herbal tea bags in your carry-on and ask for warm water on the flight. A light oil massage (sesame oil and your favourite essential oil) on your feet, scalp, and abdomen before your flight is a simple yet effective Ayurvedic technique to help soothe the nervous system.
Digestive Support
The digestive system is very delicate and can easily get derailed when you are enjoying new foods in new environments. Common concerns include gas, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. To help keep your digestive system at ease and for the effective assimilation and elimination of food, consider taking the following on your trip:
- Ginger, which is available in many forms such as tea, capsules, candies, etc.
- Digestive enzymes
- Herbal bitters
- Spices like fennel
- Probiotics
- Triphala—a well-known Ayurvedic tonic for digestive health
How much, when, and which type should be customized by a practitioner who is familiar with your state of health. Travelling also increases your exposure to parasitic infections, so if you’re travelling to the tropics, consider taking natural antimicrobials such as neem or black walnut, again under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner. Lastly, electrolytes are a must when travelling in hot climates, or when experiencing diarrhea, as they help rehydrate the body. Be prepared and proactive when it comes to your digestive system for a better vacation experience.
Strengthen Your Immune System
Travel weakens your immune system, and these post-pandemic times are an even bigger concern for many people. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination with a cold or flu. Before your trip, support your immune system to help fight unwanted infections; recycled air on airplanes, crowded airports, and humid climates are breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. Here are a few ways to support your immune system before and during travel:
- Consume nutrient-dense foods rich in antioxidants such as berries, turmeric, leafy greens, and dark chocolate.
- Herbs that include Echinacea, Guduchi, or Astragalus
- Vitamins D and C
- Of course, don’t forget that refined sugar suppresses the immune system, so it’s best to avoid this as much as possible before the trip.
Insect Bites & Burns
Help reduce your risk of contracting insect-borne illness by preventing bites. Wear thin, long sleeves and pants in tropical regions, and bring natural insect repellant. You may find it helpful to pack a small first-aid kit with remedies such as arnica oil or calendula cream to treat bruises, cuts, burns, and bites. Essential oils such as lavender and tea tree are excellent antimicrobials and can be used topically for bites, burns, and fungal infections.
The Elements
If travelling to a sunny destination, plan to bring appropriate sunscreen and cooling creams or oils such as aloe vera or coconut oil. With increased sun exposure, pitta dosha increases, leading to burns, heat stroke, and dehydration. If travelling to a rainy or humid climate, keep in mind that kapha dosha can increase and you may be more susceptible to issues like mould or sinus infections. If your destination is a cold or dry climate, bring moisturiser or massage oils and dress in layers as the climate increases vata dosha. If possible, spend time in natural sunlight when you arrive at your destination, which is one of the quickest ways to recover from jet lag.
Bring Healthy Snacks
Pack healthy, portable, and non-perishable food with you such as protein/granola bars, trail mixes, and nuts or seeds. If fruits are permitted, these are rich in prana, or life force, to keep you sustained—they also hydrate and help you rejuvenate. You may also want to consider packing food from home for the flight as in-flight meals are often high in sodium and pre-packaged.
Pack Smart
Carry only what you need for your trip, including prescriptions from your naturopathic doctor or other healthcare practitioners. Keep them in their original containers with the labels for easy identification, and to avoid unnecessary hassle while going through security, keep carry-on supplements and tinctures under 100 ml in a clear plastic zip lock bag and avoid carrying unlabelled powders.
These are just some of many natural health tips to help you prepare for travel. Staying healthy while travelling will allow you to enjoy your trip to the fullest and open you to a world full of exciting experiences.
