Travel is an important part of my work and life. My gypsy soul seeks out adventure, foreign lands, and spiritual unfoldment on a regular basis. Travel is one of my passions and, as many of you know, every year I lead multiple yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic retreats all over the world. For years I have traveled internationally and domestically, and on these journeys, I have learned a few ways to navigate the stress of travel, boost immunity, and balance the Vata dosha in the body and mind. I actually love flying! I know it sounds crazy, but I find it peaceful. Here are a few of my favorite tips I have learned along the way!
Pre-Flight
• Hydrate with water and eat as much high prana food as possible. I love to do fresh green vegetable juices with ginger and turmeric before leaving for a flight.
• Take your vitamins – my favorite whole food supplements are from Garden of Life. My family and I all use their products and love them. They are an important part of our nutrition regimen and include essential probiotics in many of their formulas.
• Start adding Banyan Botanicals tincture of I Travel Well to a glass of water once a day and continue for the entirety of the trip. This tincture helps boost immunity and manages Vata.
• Before a flight give your body lots of care, I like to dry brush to flush the lymphatic system and then slather on lots of natural oils for specific for your dosha. Check out my post on Abhyanga and Dry Brushing to learn more.
• Exercise and practice yoga the day of your flight. This keeps circulation at its best. If this is not an option do some pranayama exercises and don’t forget to dry brush as I mentioned above.
• Ok, so this one may sound a little weird, but it makes a difference on the 20-hr+ flights - do your hair, blow it out, braid it or whatever your style calls for but make it look as nice as possible. This will leave you stepping off the plane like a traveling pro!
• Choose comfortable layered clothing that you feel your best in. I always take a warm shawl and socks. Being too cold can be miserable. Wear as little accessories as possible and carry as little as possible on to the plane. I always check luggage when I can so that I can move with ease.
On-Flight
• Continue to Hydrate. I like to travel with an empty thermos water bottle and have the airline attendant fill it up on the plane. I have a large bottle that fits in the side pocket of my travel bag. On a 9+ hour flight I might drink 4-5 of these bottles filled with water. This saves on plastic bottles and avoids always having to ask the attendant for water. I do recommend having an aisle seat if you take this approach as it does call you to the bathroom often. It’s worth it on the tail end and gets you moving more on the flight!
• Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soda as these drinks are dehydrating and inflammatory. Ask for a drink with no ice or better still a cup of hot water. I travel with ginger tea bags and put them in the hot water. Sometimes I will have the air hostess fill my thermos water bottle up with hot water and put two ginger tea bags in this! Ginger is grounding and keeps Agni stimulated to avoid sluggish digestion due to travel. I also like to use the hot water as a steam facial by cupping my hands over the cup and face to allow the moisture to go up the nose (being careful of bumpy plane rides).
• On domestic flights with no food bring your own healthy snacks and on international flights, pre-order the vegetarian options. Avoid the processed snacks as much as possible. Eat light and save your meal for your destination!!
• I pack an essential oil travel remedy kit with a rose water spritzer for the face, Young Living's Thieves spray for the hands and surfaces, lavender to uplift, Valor for the feet, argon oil for feet, hands, hair, nose, ears. I like to create a spa moment on the flight. On long flights, I take my shoes off and use an oil on my feet mixed with a few drops of Young Living’s Valor, and then put a pair of thick skid proof socks on. I like to use Argon Oil for flights as it comes in a great 4oz pump, does not have an odor, and can be used for the skin, hair, and nails. I even put a little on the inside of my nostrils and around ears to avoid dryness. I reapply the oil as needed throughout the flight. Warm, moist and heavy is the key to balancing the Vata Dosha.
• Meditate or listen to an uplifting audiobook. I like to use the time to continue to feed my spirit high vibration messaging. Whether that be a prerecorded meditation, sacred music, or an audiobook that uplifts. One of my favorites is Autobiography of a Yogi, a Yoga Nidra by Richard Miller, or anything by Adyashanti.
• I stay fresh on the flight by using an unscented face wipe on my face and reapplying the rose water spritzer and my favorite moisturizer. The face wipes also double for cleaning the sensitive areas to stay fresh. About 45 minutes before landing I will apply any makeup and use an uplifting essential oil as a perfume.
After following this routine, I feel healthy and vibrant even stepping off the longest of flights.
Post-Flight
• As soon as possible after stepping off the plane find some grass or a body of water to put your feet in! Get out in nature and ground into the energy of your new environment. Allow some sun to touch your eyelids and tap the third eye (the space between the brow) and the sternum a few times to stimulate immunity and reset the internal clock.
• Many people tend to get constipated when they travel. Here is my gentle remedy. Upon waking drink an 8-16 oz glass of warm lemon water, take 2 Triphala tablets before bed and 1-2 Kapha Digest tablets with meals.
• Get on your new time-zone asap, avoid naps and plan your schedule around being present to the now!
My travel care packing list
1. Argon Oil – 4oz
2. Young Living Essential oils: Peppermint Oil, Lavender, Sandalwood, Valor, Lemon
3. Young Living Thieves Spritzer – 4oz
4. Rose Water Spritzer – 4oz
5. Unscented Face wipes
6. Thick socks
7. Ginger Tea by YogiTea
8. I Travel Well by Banyan Botanicals
9. Triphala and Kapha Digest by Banyan Botanicals
I hope these tips support your health and help you find more ease and enjoyment on your flights! Join me on my next adventure to India, Bali, Costa Rica or here in my home state of North Carolina!!