AYURVEDIC TRAVEL TRIPS
AYURVEDIC TRAVEL TRIPS
Ayurvedic travel tips to help you feel fresh and lovely no matter howarduous your journey
Before you leave:
* Pamper yourself with a luxurious aromatherapy massage, especially if thejourney is going to be long. We recommends an aroma massagewith 19 drops of coconut oil mixed with one drop of sandalwood oil. Youcould also use a drop of rose oil in place of sandalwood.
* Pack good-quality skin care: Choose all-natural formulations that willlook after all your travel needs--right from maintaining skin elasticity andtexture to supplying natural nourishment so essential to balancing theravages of travel.
* Buy a comfortable travel pillow-and fill it with healing herbs for asense-soothing experience. Choose your pillowcase with care: it should bewashable and soft, so your skin does not crease.
* Be sure to pack some destination-specific beauty items: like sunscreen ifyou're headed for a Hawaiian beach, an uplifting essential oil, likejasmine, for an evening under the stars, and rose water to refresh hot skinon a summer day.
Flight facts:
* Pressurized cabin-air sucks moisture from skin. Research shows that thedryness inside a plane matches that of a desert! That is why you will dowell to drink plenty of water during a flight-carrying your own bottles andasking for refills. Vaidya Mishra advises infusing your water with spiceslike licorice, ginger, cardamom and cinnamon to help unclog channels andkeep you calm throughout the journey. Splash face with mineral water fromtime to time; and when not wearing make-up, gently rub mineral water on yourface with the tips of your fingers-this gives the double benefit ofrehydration and massage.
* A long journey can cause the skin to puff up: that is why, "palming" yourcheeks at regular intervals-by leaning forward in your seat and resting yourface in your hands for a few minutes, really helps. This light pressure onskin tissue reduces puffiness. Vaidya Mishra also advises deep, easybreathing 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 you can make some simplemoves to keep the pressure off: press gently under the eyes from inside tooutside, massage the base of the ears in slow circular motions, and userevolving pressure on the temples with fingertips. Again, deep breathinghelps keep the nasal passages open.
How to disembark feeling beautiful and fresh
* Half an hour before landing, give your face a good splash of cold water,then pat dry and apply a good moisturizer.
* To soothe and seal lips, and to guard against dryness, apply natural lipbalm.
* Brush your hair but don't try an elaborate style: just tie it into acomfortable knot, or, if it is short, leave it loose and carefree.
Destination-Savvy Skin and Hair
Summer in Hawaii: Plenty of sun, sand and sea make Hawaii a traveler'sparadise. But the same things that can lift your spirits can also bog downyour skin. Try these tips to beat the heat and keep skin and hair happy:
* Remember that summer heat stimulates the skin's oil glands, making poreslarger and more susceptible to sweating, dust and pollution. Solution? Keeppores clean! Cleanse your face, morning and evening to keep it free ofimpurities.
* Always, always use sunscreen-with an SPF of at least 30, and protect youreyes with sunglasses.
* Spray face from time to time with a floral mist. Hydrosols are water thatis left after the essential oil is skimmed off, and contain traces of theprecious essential oil as well as the water-soluble portions of the healingplant. The floral water mistings will leave you rejuvenated in mind, body,and spirit.
* Protect scalp and hair from damaging sunrays by wearing a comfortable hat.Massage your scalp before your shower or bath to stimulate blood flow andrelieve stress. Use a gentle cleansing shampoo with nourishing "keshya"herbs that will restore luster to tired hair, without loading it withchemicals.
* Avoid excessive dry heat, such as that from blow dryers and curling irons.
Skiing in the Colorado Rockies: Nothing quite compares with the beauty ofsnow-laden slopes in an Aspen winter. But the rugged splendor of the drymountains can take its toll on your skin within no time-unless you followthese basic beauty-friendly tips:
* Here, more than ever, your skin needs moisture. That's because ski slopesare dry, cold and windy-and surprisingly, even if it's snowing or overcast,you can still get sunburn, so high is the ultraviolet radiation in thisregion. Your chances of sun exposure are even greater on a mountaintopbecause at higher altitudes, where the air is thinner, you're morevulnerable to the intensity of the sun's rays. So drink up, and keep skinprotected.
* Shade your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses that cover the entire areaaround the eyes-there is increasing evidence that even short exposures todirect sunlight can lead to cataract.
* Don't forget your lips. Use lip balm with antioxidant protection and applyit frequently.
* Breathe deeply and often-because mountain air is low in oxygen.
On Mediterranean shores: Swimming with the dolphins can be the ultimateholiday experience. But if you take a few steps to keep skin and hairhealthy, you'll enjoy your vacation even more. Vaidya Mishra has thefollowing simple suggestions:
* When you are near a water source, try to breathe in the misty air from thesea-for it has more oxygen. The further your holiday spot is from a majormetro, the healthier this air will be.
* A morning self-massage or abhyanga will help repair tissue and prepare youfor the next session of swimming or surfing.
* Do not ignore rehydration. A constant supply of water-both to the insideand outside of your body-is your best cosmetic. And it is readily available,inexpensive, and easy to apply!
Diet tips for your trip
* Who can resist the exotic flavors, textures and colors of internationalcuisine? By all means try the aromas and tastes that tempt your taste buds,but don't forget to load up on fresh fruits and vegetables on your trip.Vaidya Mishra recommends eating a generous quantity of sweet, juicy fruitsthroughout your trip. Cooling pomegranate juice is especially good if youare holidaying in a hot spot.
* Avoid alcohol and soda (too much makes you thirstier), and stay away fromsalty foods that cause swollen ankles and feet.
* Don't confuse the dehydration and fatigue that accompany jet lag withhunger. Keep mealtimes consistent whenever possible and minimize diningafter dark. Take small portions and eat slowly.
Note: This ayurvedic information is educational, and is not intended toreplace standard medical care or advice.
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