Ayurvedic Travel Tips for Maintaining Balance

Summer is a busy time and full of travel plans. 

Traveling is exciting and enriching, but it can disrupt our routines, which are essential for maintaining balance and well-being.

Whether you like it or not, your body needs a routine, too. If you don’t give your body a routine, how can you expect your body to give you a routine—to poop on time, digest well, fall asleep with ease, and have regular periods? You can’t!

Here are some Ayurvedic travel tips to help you stay grounded and healthy while on the go.

1. Maintain a Routine but Loosen up and Soften 

While traveling, it’s important to recognize that you won't be able to follow your usual routine perfectly. Accept that your meal times, sleep schedule, and daily practices will be different. By loosening up and softening your expectations, you can reduce stress and enjoy your travels more fully. Practice being flexible and open to new experiences, and your mind will feel less tension from craving your usual habits.

2. Stay Hydrated

Travel can easily lead to dehydration, especially if you’re flying. Drink plenty of water throughout your journey to stay hydrated. Carry a reusable water bottle and sip regularly. Adding a pinch of mineral salt or a squeeze of lemon can help maintain electrolyte balance. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can dehydrate you further.

During hot summer days include a dehydrations drink into you days. 

1 Tbsp. honey

10 drops fresh lime or lemon juice

1/4 tsp. mineral salt 

Mix well and drink up 

3. Pack Digestive Aids

Digestive imbalances are common while traveling due to irregular meal times and different foods. Carry Ayurvedic digestive aids like ginger tea, fennel seeds, or herbal tablets such as Triphala. These can help support your digestion and prevent issues like bloating and constipation. Chewing on a small piece of ginger or drinking warm water with lemon can also stimulate your digestive fire (agni).

4. Practice Grounding Techniques

Travel can leave you feeling ungrounded and scattered. Incorporate grounding practices into your day, such as walking barefoot on grass or sand, practicing deep breathing exercises, or doing a few minutes of gentle yoga. These activities help reconnect you with the earth and bring a sense of stability.

Travelling to a new time zone? Gaze sunset and sunrise for the first couple of days to reset your circadian rhythm. 

5. Stick to Warm, Nourishing Foods

When you can, opt for warm, cooked foods that are easy to digest. Soups, stews, and steamed vegetables are great choices. Avoid overly spicy, fried, or processed foods, as they can aggravate your doshas and cause digestive discomfort. If you’re unsure of what to eat, look for simple, whole foods that provide nourishment without taxing your system.

Do your best to eat at regular meal times with no snacking. 

6. Prioritise Sleep

Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining balance, especially when you’re in a new environment. Try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule, even if it’s not your usual one. Create a calming bedtime routine, such as drinking a cup of warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg or practicing gentle stretches. Earplugs and an eye mask can also help ensure you get restful sleep, regardless of your surroundings.

7. Carry Ayurvedic Essentials

Pack a travel kit with your Ayurvedic essentials, such as a small bottle of herbal oil for abhyanga (self-massage), a travel-size neti pot for nasal cleansing, tongue scraper and your favuorite herbal teas. These familiar items can provide comfort and help maintain your routine, even in a limited way.

8. Keep Moving

Long periods of sitting, whether on a plane, train, or car, can lead to stiffness and sluggishness. Make it a point to move regularly. Stretch your legs, do some simple yoga poses, or take short walks whenever possible. Movement helps keep your energy flowing and prevents stagnation.

By incorporating these Ayurvedic travel tips, you can navigate the challenges of travel while maintaining your health and balance. Remember, flexibility and self-care are key to enjoying your holidays while keeping your mind and body in harmony.