Stay healthy while travelling part 2!

✈️ Ayurvedic Travel Tips for Staying Balanced on the Go 🌿

In this edition, I would like to expand further on topics I touched on in my first blog post about travel, which is when I got back from India. These are tried & true tips that I use every time I travel and it helps! 

Whether you're heading out for a long-awaited vacation or a quick weekend getaway, travel can be both exciting and disruptive. From dry airplane air to time zone changes and unpredictable meals, our systems can easily become unbalanced. Ayurveda—India’s ancient science of life—offers timeless wisdom to help us stay grounded, nourished, and aligned no matter where the journey takes us.

Here are my favorite Ayurvedic tips for smooth, sattvic (balanced) travels:

1. Know Your Dosha—and Pack Accordingly

Each dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) is affected by travel in different ways:

• Vata types may feel anxious, constipated, or have difficulty sleeping.

• Pitta types may overheat, become irritable, or get indigestion.

• Kapha types might feel heavy, sluggish, or congested.

💡Tip: If you know your dominant dosha, you can tailor your self-care kit! For example, Vata folks may want grounding oils, Kapha types can bring energizing teas, and Pittas should avoid overheating and spicy foods.

2. Stick to a Routine (as best you can)

Ayurveda emphasizes dinacharya, or daily routine. While travel often throws off our schedules, try to:

• Wake and sleep around the same time each day

• Eat your meals at regular intervals

• Stay hydrated and don’t skip meals (Vata especially suffers when meals are irregular)

Even a mini-morning routine—like tongue scraping, sipping warm water, and light stretches—can make a big difference.

3. Eat Light and Warm

Digestive fire (agni) is often weakened during travel, especially air travel.

🌱 Choose:

• Warm, cooked foods over raw or cold foods

• Ginger or fennel tea to support digestion

• Easy-to-digest snacks like dates, soaked almonds, or spiced oatmeal

Avoid heavy, processed, or unfamiliar foods if possible. Your belly will thank you.

4. Oiling: Your Secret Weapon

Abhyanga, or self-massage with oil, is especially helpful when traveling. It calms Vata, soothes the nervous system, and nourishes dry skin.

👉 Pack a travel-sized bottle of sesame oil (for Vata), coconut oil (for Pitta), or mustard oil (for Kapha). Massage your feet or scalp before bed to ground yourself after a long day.

5. Stay Hydrated (But Wisely)

Travel often leads to dehydration, which aggravates Vata and can trigger constipation, headaches, or fatigue.

💧Tips:

• Sip warm or room-temp water often (avoid ice-cold drinks)

• Add a pinch of mineral-rich salt and lemon for natural electrolytes

• Avoid caffeinated, alcoholic and carbonated drinks, which can be drying

6. Ground After Flying

Flying increases the air element (Vata), so once you arrive:

• Go barefoot on the earth (sand, grass, soil)

• Take a warm shower or bath with essential oils

• Do gentle yoga or stretching to reconnect with your body

Even five minutes of mindful breathing with feet on the floor helps reset your energy.

7. Travel with a “Sattvic Mind”

Ayurveda isn't just about what we eat—it's about how we think and perceive. Travel can be stressful, so staying present, patient, and positive can transform your entire experience.

🧘‍♀️ Pack a grounding playlist, a journal, or a mantra to recite when you need to center.

Final Thoughts 🌏

Travel doesn’t have to knock you off balance. With a few Ayurvedic tools in your carry-on, you can maintain your inner harmony while embracing the outer adventure.

✨ Do you use Ayurveda when you travel? What’s your favorite on-the-go ritual or remedy? I’d love to hear!

Photo: Ireland coast in 2006