Tips to stay balanced during and after a trip

I am preparing for a short trip and wanted to share what I usually do to unbalance my doshas as little as possible.

The doshas and their constituent elements were already introduced in a previous post. As we saw, Vata is the only dosha that has movement and is therefore the most sensitive to being unbalanced by travel, especially if we travel by plane, due to the fast movements (speed), low temperatures (coldness), the altitude, which usually include cold and dry air even inside. If we also move from one time zone to another (jetlag), this places an additional burden on our doshas, specifically on vata for managing the cycles and transitions between cycles. When travelling for long journeys, screens with movies and series, to which we tend to be hooked for hours on end, can also be a source of imbalance for vata and pitta. Sitting for long periods of time can cause swelling of the feet and water retention, which shows a kapha imbalance.

Concrete tips I adopt on regular basis:

• Self-massage with warm oil before and after the journey;

• A drop of oil in the nostrils and ears to counteract the dryness of the cabin environment;

• Avoid cold drinks before, during and after (though cold drinks and food are not out of my daily routine). As well as any stimulants and heavy meals (opt for easily digestible meals such as kitchari). Favour relaxing herbal teas such as chamomile, lavender or tulsi. In fact, most of the time I take my food and tea bags with me;

• Wrap up warm. Vata and kapha are sensitive to cold, so take a light blanket or scarf to regulate your temperature during the journey;

• Make short stops to stretch every so often. Practice gentle movements (such as neck and shoulder rotations) or simple stretches;

• A warm bath or shower after the journey to relax muscles and mind, soothing feelings of restlessness;

• Try to have a restful sleep before leaving and synchronise with the new time zone as soon as possible;

• Use earplugs and an eye mask to rest your senses, allowing senses withdrawing.

A trip, even a short one, always involves a certain amount of upheaval for our bodies. With these small adjustments you can keep your body and mind in a more balanced state throughout the journey. Obviously, the longer the journey, the more prone you are to imbalances and the more careful you need to be.

Do you have any other tips or tricks for balancing your doshas when you travel?

Share them in the comments!

Best regards and thanks for reading