Travelling The Ayurvedic Way

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Travelling The Ayurvedic Way

 

S Nithya Kamakshi outlines a few tips from the age old medicinal

science which can help in keeping you healthy and stress free while

on the move

 

As organisations become increasingly global and business trips

become more frequent, the resultant increase in travel also ushers

in higher levels of stress. Researchers have noted that business

travel can take its toll on the employees. But we didn't need any

research to tell us that, did we?

 

So, what is so stressful about this travel? There are three main

factors that add to business travel stress: physical strain,

inconvenience and barriers, and decreased productivity. While all

frequent travellers are in search for succor, the current trend is

to turn to Ayurveda for solutions.

 

Ayurveda, a traditional holistic health care system, has been

practiced in India for more than 3000 years. It is recognised as an

alternative medicine originating from the Vedic traditions of India.

It is based on the idea that three doshas - vata, pitta and kapha -

govern the body. It is believed that putting these in harmony,

through herbal preparations, diet, lifestyle, yoga and meditation,

helps to achieve perfect health by treating the underlying cause of

illness, and not just the symptoms. Any imbalance in these synthesis

results in physical ailments. The main advantage of Ayurveda is to

cure oneself using natural ways; without having to suffer the side

effects of chemicals.

 

Long delays and cancelled flights, traffic jams, inclement weather,

crowds - all these factors and more can make travelling a nightmare.

It is possible to travel stress-free, once you understand what

imbalances are caused by travel. Thus you can take steps to protect

yourself and prevent them from developing.

 

The elements that cause imbalance during travel:

 

Vata dosha (air) in general tends to get disturbed during travel. In

particular, continuous sitting disturbs Apana Vata (air present in

the intestine), which controls the downward movements of elimination

and purification. Travelling in fast-moving vehicles and an

unpredictable routine aggravates Prana Vata (air which you breath),

which controls mental and emotional balance. Pachaka Pitta

(digestive juices), responsible for digestion, can also get

disrupted by irregular meals and sleep.

 

Ayurvedic experts suggest these practical tips to maintain your

physical, mental and emotional equilibrium during travel and hectic

times:

 

Before travel (for at least a week before departure)

 

Be meticulous about adhering to a regular routine. Taking pains to

keep Vata in balance before you begin your journey as it will help

you withstand stress, time pressure, multiple demands and

unpredictability better. This means eating your meals at about the

same time each day, with lunch being around noon and dinner about

three hours before you go to bed. It means going to bed by 10:00 pm

and getting sufficient sleep. It is also necessary to plan tasks in

advance to avoid any last-minute rush. Sweet lassi is an excellent

lunchtime beverage. Avoid extremely sour foods such as pickles and

vinegar and very spicy foods such as cayenne or hot chilli peppers.

Eat plenty of sweet juicy fruits, warm milk blended with Rose Petal

Preserve.

 

During travel

 

Drink herbal teas that are specially formulated to pacify Vata-

related imbalances. Avoid carbonated or ice-cold beverages, because

they disrupt digestion. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Eat fresh fruits

and light, easy-to-digest foods. These will help keep Vata and Pitta

in balance. Avoid 'junk' food or heavy, hard-to-digest foods. If you

feel nausea, eat some fresh ginger or add some fresh ginger to

herbal tea and sip on it. Research has shown that ginger can help

prevent motion sickness.

 

After Travel

 

Drink lots of warm water through the day to replenish moisture

levels and assist in cleansing the channels of the body. Eat light

yet nourishing food such as mung or bean soup for a few days to

allow your digestion to adjust. Continue to drink herbal tea, two or

three cups a day. A daily massage will enhance circulation and calm

the mind and nervous system.

 

Following are some ayurvedic travel tips to help you feel fresh no

matter how arduous your journey is:

 

Before You Leave

 

Pamper yourself with a luxurious aromatherapy massage, especially if

the journey is going to be long.

Buy a comfortable travel pillow and fill it with healing herbs for a

soothing experience. Choose your pillowcase with care; it should be

washable and soft so your skin does not crease.

Be sure to pack some destination-specific beauty items: sunscreen if

you're headed for a beach, an uplifting essential oil like jasmine

for an evening under the stars, or rose water to refresh hot skin on

a summer day.

Flight Facts

 

Pressurised cabin air sucks moisture from skin. Research shows that

the dryness inside a plane matches that of a desert. That is why you

should drink plenty of water during a flight. Experts advice

infusing your water with spices like licorice, ginger, cardamom and

cinnamon to help unclog channels and keep you calm during the

journey. Splash face with mineral water from time to time; and when

not wearing make-up, gently rub mineral water on your face with the

tips of your fingers. This gives the double benefit of rehydration

and massage.

A long journey can cause the skin to puff up, that is why, 'palming'

your cheeks at regular intervals by leaning forward in your seat and

resting your face in your hands for a few minutes helps. This light

pressure on skin tissue reduces puffiness. Breathe deep and easy

from time to time. This increases oxygen flow in the body, bringing

a glow to the cheeks.

Flying can cause sinus pressure to build. But a few simple moves can

keep it at bay. Press gently under the eyes from inside to outside,

massage the base of the ears in slow circular motions, and use

revolving pressure on the temples with fingertips.

Follow these simple tips and you are all set for a stress free

travel for your body, mind and soul!

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