Ayurvedic travel tips to help you feel fresh and lovely no matter how arduous your journey
Before you leave:
* Pamper yourself with a luxurious aromatherapy massage, especially if the journey is going to be long. Vaidya Ramakant Mishra, Director of Product Research and Development at Maharishi Ayurveda, recommends an aroma massage with 19 drops of coconut oil mixed with one drop of sandalwood oil. You could also use a drop of rose oil in place of sandalwood.
* Pack good-quality skin care: Choose all-natural formulations that will look after all your travel needs--right from maintaining skin elasticity and texture to supplying natural nourishment so essential to balancing the ravages of travel.
* Buy a comfortable travel pillow-and fill it with healing herbs for a sense-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: like sunscreen if you're headed for a Hawaiian beach, an uplifting essential oil, like jasmine, for an evening under the stars, and rose water to refresh hot skin on a summer day.
Flight facts:
* Pressurized cabin-air sucks moisture from skin. Research shows that the dryness inside a plane matches that of a desert! That is why you will do well to drink plenty of water during a flight-carrying your own bottles and asking for refills. Vaidya Mishra advises infusing your water with spices like licorice, ginger, cardamom and cinnamon to help unclog channels and keep you calm throughout 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, really helps. This light pressure on skin tissue reduces puffiness. Vaidya Mishra also advises deep, easy breathing 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 simple moves to keep the pressure off: 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. Again, deep breathing helps 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 lip balm.
* Brush your hair but don't try an elaborate style: just tie it into a comfortable 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's paradise. But the same things that can lift your spirits can also bog down your 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 pores larger and more susceptible to sweating, dust and pollution. Solution? Keep pores clean! Cleanse your face, morning and evening to keep it free of impurities.
* Always, always use sunscreen-with an SPF of at least 30, and protect your eyes with sunglasses.
* Spray face from time to time with a floral mist. Hydrosols are water that is left after the essential oil is skimmed off, and contain traces of the precious essential oil as well as the water-soluble portions of the healing plant. 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 and relieve stress. Use a gentle cleansing shampoo with nourishing "keshya" herbs that will restore luster to tired hair, without loading it with chemicals.
* Avoid excessive dry heat, such as that from blow dryers and curling irons.
Skiing in the Colorado Rockies: Nothing quite compares with the beauty of snow-laden slopes in an Aspen winter. But the rugged splendor of the dry mountains can take its toll on your skin within no time-unless you follow these basic beauty-friendly tips:
* Here, more than ever, your skin needs moisture. That's because ski slopes are 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 this region. Your chances of sun exposure are even greater on a mountaintop because at higher altitudes, where the air is thinner, you're more vulnerable to the intensity of the sun's rays. So drink up, and keep skin protected.
* Shade your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses that cover the entire area around the eyes-there is increasing evidence that even short exposures to direct sunlight can lead to cataract.
* Don't forget your lips. Use lip balm with antioxidant protection and apply it frequently.
* Breathe deeply and often-because mountain air is low in oxygen.
On Mediterranean shores: Swimming with the dolphins can be the ultimate holiday experience. But if you take a few steps to keep skin and hair healthy, you'll enjoy your vacation even more. Vaidya Mishra has the following simple suggestions:
* When you are near a water source, try to breathe in the misty air from the sea-for it has more oxygen. The further your holiday spot is from a major metro, the healthier this air will be.
* A morning self-massage or abhyanga will help repair tissue and prepare you for the next session of swimming or surfing.
* Do not ignore rehydration. A constant supply of water-both to the inside and 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 international cuisine? 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 fruits throughout your trip. Cooling pomegranate juice is especially good if you are holidaying in a hot spot.
* Avoid alcohol and soda (too much makes you thirstier), and stay away from salty foods that cause swollen ankles and feet.
* Don't confuse the dehydration and fatigue that accompany jet lag with hunger. Keep mealtimes consistent whenever possible and minimize dining after dark. Take small portions and eat slowly.
Note: This ayurvedic information is educational, and is not intended to replace standard medical care or advice.
Written by: Rama Kant Mishra, Maharishi Ayurveda
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