Travel with Deja: Ayurvedic travel tips for a smooth journey

It’s the season of travel. Our hair is lighter from the sun, freckles have appeared on our face and our Insta feed has never looked better. But, unfortunately, all that wanderlust requires a whole lotta travel and that can play havoc on the way we feel, both physically and mentally. 

From queues at security to stale air in the aeroplane cabins, our body has to go through a lot. And that’s before we even mention the fact that your daily routine has probably been pushed aside. That’s okay though, you’re on holiday. But, if you are feeling a little lacklustre on your travels, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a few ancient Ayurvedic practices that will have you glowing from within, in no time. 

Maintain a ritual 

If you’re asking us, one of the best things about holidays is that you don’t have to be restricted by time. There’s no 9am meeting and you can have lunch breaks longer than an hour. But despite this, it doesn’t mean you have to completely banish a routine. Instead, you might want to make a new one for the week. 

Maybe you’ll start your morning with a brisk walk on the beach, before the temperature gets too hot. Or perhaps, you’ll enjoy lunch time yoga before a spot of journaling and meditation. Either way, a daily ritual that’s personal to you is a great way to ground the body and mind and is essential for balancing your emotions, according to Ayurveda. 

Get scraping

When it comes to daily rituals, at Deja, one of our favourites has got to be tongue scraping. We like to do it first thing in the morning, before your latte, to get rid of any bacteria that’s gathered on the tongue overnight and to prevent any toxins from entering the digestive system. Not only is it great for our gut but oral health too. Our handy tongue scraping tool is also travel size and fits easily into your toiletries bag so you can detoxify on the go after a night of frozen daiquiris… 

Try yoga 

Ayurvedic practitioners advise grounding activities like yoga if you’re going to be affected by jet lag. This is because changing time zones and environments can really impact the way we feel. Yoga, and positions like Child’s Pose, Downward Dog and Mountain Balance can help to bring you back into check. 

If you’re lucky enough to be near a beach, why not try sunrise yoga and listen to the waves crash in the distance? We guarantee you’ll never look at yoga in the same way again. Other grounding exercises include walking and swimming, which are not only gentle on the body after a long journey but a great way to see your new location in full. 

Stay hydrated

Unfortunately, by this, we don’t mean Happy Hour at the pool bar. Of course, this is your holiday — so if you want to indulge in a Pina Colada, feel free! But make sure you drink lots of water and flavoured herbal teas too. Not only will this help you to feel good but it’ll keep your skin fresh and glowy and also keep things moving inside your digestive system. 

Travel bloat is a real thing and changes in your diet while you’re on holiday can also impact digestion. By regularly drinking room temperature water you can aid digestion and support any dosha imbalances. Caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks can actually dehydrate your body, so try to limit how many of these you have too.

Get some sleep

We often find ourselves going to bed slightly later than normal on holiday, but try to ensure that you’re at least getting some rest. Studies have even linked a lack of sleep to a number of skin conditions. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of Ayurvedic evening rituals that can be enjoyed on holiday. 

Try switching off your phone an hour before you go to bed, listen to relaxing music, read a favourite book or even enjoy a long soak in the bath before self-massage with essential oils. Try to find something that helps you to wind down and your body and mind will thank you for it. 

Enjoy a grounding diet 

As mentioned, time zones and a lack of normality can throw our senses into the air, which is why Ayurveda recommends a grounding diet to bring them back into check. This includes steamed vegetables, fish and chicken. The summer season is also known as Pitta season, thanks to its hot and fiery nature. For this reason, cooling and calming dishes like salads and fruit are ideal and you might find yourself overly sensitive to acidic and hot foods. 

Spice it up 

If you’re a fan of Ayurveda, you’ll know how important herbs and spices are. But don’t worry if you’re new around here, as it’s pretty simple. In fact, there’s a whole host of ingredients that we like to call super herbs, which are proven to boost and maintain overall health in the body, mind and gut. This includes: 

• Triphala - A combination of Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amla, Triphala is an ancient Ayurvedic medicinal ingredient that supports healthy bowels, calms jet lag and maintains good digestion. With rich antioxidant properties, it helps the body to fight free radicals and reduces inflammation and water retention, which can be great if you suffer from puffiness after long flights. We’ve even included it in our best-selling Rest & Digest capsules so you can get your fix wherever you are.
  
  
• Ginger - With a warm and rich flavour, Ginger can be added to warm water to create a delicious drink throughout the day. It doesn’t just taste great, but also maintains healthy digestion, reduces gas and bloating, boosts the digestive fire, and can help your body to fight off disease.
  
  
• Nutmeg - Another store cupboard spice: Nutmeg. Again, not only does this add a delicious taste to drinks and food, but it’s proven to help with sleeping concerns and the nervous system which might be useful if you’re struggling with jet lag.

Wellness on the road with Deja

Whether you want to kickstart your holiday mornings with a tongue scraping routine or you want to ensure your gut is as healthy as can be - wherever you are in the world - we have an Ayurvedic-inspired product that will make this summer the best yet.