Ayurveda Travel Kit & Tips

Travel is full of uncertainty. Delayed flights, jet lag, and new environments disrupt our routine and rhythms. You may find yourself choosing unhealthy fast foods when desperately hungry.

The following Ayurvedic travel kit minimizes uncertainty and should include:

• Ground oatmeal with salt. Use a coffee grinder to grind the oatmeal. This homemade 'instant' oatmeal required only hot water to cook, so can be made in a hotel for breakfast. Hot water is readily available at most gas stations and hotels. Oatmeal is soothing and demulcent, encouraging healthy elimination of the bowels.
• Rice cakes are another option that can be eaten any time of day, but they are drying so take care to hydrate if eating these. It's easy to lather almond butter and raisins on top.
• Raisins (dried fruit) and sunflower seeds (and nuts) are a good snack or garnish over oatmeal. These can even be soaked overnight in a hotel room. Prunes provide a lot of fiber. Almond butter travels well.
• Oranges boost blood sugar levels in a pinch. They are a good digestive and keep the bowels moving. Grapefruits are a great digestive for Kapha. A lime fits easily in your travel bag, is lightweight, and won't spoil quickly. Apple sauce packets don't need to be refrigerated and provide lots of fiber.
• Almost all airline carriers serve orange juice mid-flight. Orange juice is a much better choice than tomato juice when flying. Apple juice is a close second.
• A spoon and plastic bowl to eat with.
• Digestive supports like trikatu or triphala help keep digestion smooth and elimination regular, even during the most disruptive travel plans.

Many people need a laxative the first 2-3 days of travel to help them through the transition. Ever watch a dog find a spot to poop? Humans also feel uncomfortable eliminating the bowels in a new environment, and especially when we are tense or stressed.

Airplane / Rest Stop Stretch & Movement

Good circulation is essential to health and good immunity while traveling. Long periods of sitting can cause swollen ankles, buildup of toxins, and even blood clots. A simple stretch will encourage your circulation without standing out too much in public:

• Touch your toes then reach for the sky several times.
• Grab the back of your chair and twist.
• Hug your knees to your chest while sitting.
• Once you get to your hotel room, try putting your feet up on the wall to ease swelling.

At rest stops, my family (mom, dad and 6 kids) do 100 jumping jacks each to get our heart rate up.

Surviving Jet Lag

Planes fly at unimaginable speed to our ancestral DNA, which is more accustomed to a walking pace. The body loves routine and schedules efficient use of blood according to the daily rhythms of the sun. A change in time zones disrupts our biological clock.

You clock gradually resynchronizes to the sun over two weeks time. While you are waiting to reset your clock, your appetite may be low during meal times, and strong in the middle of the night. Drinking ginger tea at mealtimes helps reset your clock sooner.

Even if you are not tired at bedtime, go to bed and close your eyes. Take a few long, deep exhales to slow your heart rate.

Climate changes may also be too abrupt for your body. Try to moderate the temperature change with appropriate clothing.

Food in new countries may actually be unrecognizable to the body. Even if you aren't changing time zones, food culture changes from region to region, family to family, friend to friend. It's a good idea to drink warm water or ginger tea while traveling to guard your digestive health. Be sure to follow these tips when eating out at restaurants.

Travel & the Spirit

On a spiritual level, travel is inspirational. It stimulates new ideas and personal growth.

However, the uncertainty that accompanies travel can lead to anxiety and impatience with loved ones. Try to be forgiving of those around you who are acting out, and stay calm.

Travel can also feels like emotional cocaine. Then when you return home, you may experience a psychological crash as the quotidian reality sinks back in. Home life may appear dull and boring. The goal of travel is to bring innovation back home and re-integrate new ideas into our family life with the spirit of generosity and patience. Sooner or later, wherever you live becomes home. People have the same struggles even if it's an exciting new country. Until you learn to love your home, you can't really love anything.