Many of us love to travel and find that a change of scene, a rest or an expanse of mind all help to boost our health. The travelling itself can take its toll, however, and has long been documented in Ayurveda as something to watch out for. All the principle texts of Ayurveda list travel as one of the vata-increasing factors. These texts were written in the days of horses and carts; imagine what would have been said about aeroplanes. The speed, the dryness, the time zones… ouch.
So how to get the benefits of travel without the downsides?
Travel increases vata and disturbs digestive fire
The thing most of my clients suffer from during travel is constipation but there are lots of other symptoms, stemming from an increase of vata and a disturbed digestive fire.
What does increased vata look like?
And disturbed digestive fire?
We can get immediate problems such:
- bloating
- wind
- heartburn
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- constipation etc.
It can also lead to:
- a general sense of heaviness
- lethargy
- lack of energy
- a sense of blockage in the body.
If we allow the digestion to continue in a weak state, these more general symptoms can develop to a whole host of ailments and full-blown diseases.
When we travel, we need to keep our vata calm and our digestive fire strong.
Keep your vata in check
If you are particularly prone to vata going out of balance, these tips are key. You may find this if you have a vata constitution or have a current vata imbalance.
Keep your digestive fire strong
Follow these simple Ayurvedic guidelines and your travel doesn’t need to cost you your health.
Until next time, take care of yourselves.
Kate
Author: Kate Siraj, Ayurvedic Practitioner, BSc Ayurveda, MChem (Oxon), MAPA.
© The Ayurveda Practice
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