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Staying healthy on flights: travel tips for each ayurvedic traveller type

Knowing your ayurvedic type can greatty hetp in making f l ights notonly pleasurabte but healthy. On the who[e, irrespective of yourdosha type, avoid sugars, reduce alcohoI and fruit juices, andincrease water intake, plan physical act ivi ty prior and post travets.Take spiru[ ina or cho[ore[[a tablets, drink ginger or green teas,

perform self massage and, most importantly, reset your body clockthrough heatthy eating and exercising. TraveLling by air is an art. I tdoes no t have to be tax ing on the body and mind when you knowhow to support your body type.

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VataThe Vata travel ler is sensit ive to food and needs to digest property, rest and reset. Tobalance nervous energy and exhaustion, arr ive at the airport earty, travel [ ight, carryyour favourite music on your iPod. Practice your meditat ions often or chant a mantrasitentty. Eat the meals provided but leave out bread, croissants or other foods withgluten. l f having bread, et iminate desserts or the other way round. This witt ensure betterdigestion and witt not stress the digestive system. For every hour of the f l ight drink aglass of water. Keep fruit juices to a minimum, as the sugars wi[[ hike nervous energy.Avoid coffee, i f possib[e, and carry a natural sweetener such as stevia or xyl i tol toreduce sugar spikes. Prefer red wine to white so as to reduce unwanted carbohydratesand to benefi t from antioxidants. Eat, watch, l isten or read, one at a t ime; do not tryand do three things at once. Stretch frequently, breathe deeply and wear an eye maskwhen trying to sleep. Add a few drops of lavender oiI to a scarf and cover i t around your

neck; avoid direct exposure to air from the fans. Before wanting a snack count up to 20and re-consider, as you may not be hungry, Just bored. When you arr ive, have a warmshower or a massage. Do not steep unti l i t is night after landing, as i t wi[ [ worsen yourjet tag. Drink plenty of warm water to keep the bowels regulated after you have reachedyour destination. A Vata travetler wi[[ benefi t from a good sleep between two f l ights.

PittaThe Pitta travel ler loves food but is picky and can be impatient; they need to detox, workand ptay. Carry spirut ina tablets or chloret la tablets to reduce any systemic acidity dueto f l lght food. Pit ta needs to keep the t iver happy, therefore drink alcoho[ cautiousty;drink two glasses of water each t ime you choose a glass of wine. l f possible, carry atrave[f i l ter that can alkal ise water. Etiminate dairy, use a natural sweetener for warmdrinks and prefer menus with greens. Alternate working on your laptop with watchingmovies, as you need to work and play to stay batanced. Try and get a nap on the f lrght.Stretch regularly or even better, do some squats to f ire up those musctes and to takeyour attention to your body from your intensely focused mind. Do not hesitate to smileand talk to the person sit t ing next to you. On a stopover, avoid electronic usage andif possibte go for a walk or receive a retaxing massi lge. Surrender to the environmentand avoid comparisons and cri t icism when irr i tated. Meditate, i f you t ike. Avoid drinkingbeer to quench your thirst or to relax; instead, drink appte juice or pure water. Whenyou arr ive, a[[ow a day before jumping straight into work, meetings or other tasks. Pit tatravelters must use the transit for enjoyment and not to cram in more work.

KaphaThe Kapha travelter eats and sleeps, but needs to refrain, move and be motivated.Move around, perform stretches and even do a few squats. Carry green tea or ginger

lemon tea bags and drink ptenty of water and herbal teas to keep the digestion active,circutat ion going and lymph moving. Skip bread, pasta or other ref ined carbohydrates inone of your meals and avoid the dessert at least once. Limit fruit juiEes asthey containtoo much sugar and are far too dampening on your digestive system. Try and choose anaisle seat so you wit[ have opportunit ies to move when fel low passengers need the restroom. When you visi t the rest room, try and dry massage your legs and arms to keep thelymph active. Combine movie watching with creative tasks such as journal ing, planningyour tr ip or budgeting. This witt ensuTe a batance between inte[ lectual.engagement andmental retaxation. Try and attow for longer transit t imes so you can go for long walkswithin the airport. l f you have a stop over, do not crash into bed or watch television.Instead, perform an outdoor activi ty. Avold snacking during a f lrght or on transits, asit wiI dampen your digestion and upset your sugar levels leaving you feel ing dutt andlethargic. When you arr ive, try and attend to tasks without leaving too many days of restin between. I f you are afasting-type Kapha person, eat at least one Large meaL duringthe f l ight. Do not be fearfuI of eating because ofweight gain concerns. Eat wisely, butmore importantty, ptan physicat act ivi ty before and straight after your trave[s. .9

Dr.Vijay Murthy is a naturopathic practitioner, ayurv,edic doctor, complementary andintegrative medicine researcher and director at Ayuwave (ayuwave.com)

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