Post Travel Cures

“The most beautiful in the world is, of course, the world itself.” -Wallace Stevens

I just got back from a great trip to the East coast for a family wedding. As much as I love traveling (just ask my husband!), it's always really nice to be back home. This time however was a SUPER fast trip inclusive of not enough sleep as I'm used to. The big question I always ask myself is--how do I bounce back from the exhaustion that can set in after a trip no matter how long or short the trip was. 

From an Ayurvedic perspective, travel can be vata-inducing. Remember that one of the qualities of vata is mobile. Travel in itself involves movement. So, naturally, travel increases vata. Not to mention that travel by plane is even extra--the dry environment of an airplane along with the high altitudes increases vata even more. 

All this is not to say that you shouldn't travel. But instead, I'd like to offer a few "cures" if you will, to help mitigate the excess vata and ground you real quick as soon as you get back home! 

1. Unpack and clean immediately! Your environment is a huge influencer in our ability to ground and stabilize. Having clutter and half-unpacked bags lying around you will not help your case. Take it from me. Get it done and over with. Your bedroom and house will thank you. Your mind will be settled. You will feel good about it! 
2. Take a hot shower. There is nothing more rejuvenating and relaxing as a hot shower in your own house. Heat and steam will help pacify the cold, mobile, and dry qualities of vata. Feel free to indulge and take a little longer shower than usual. Let your pores open up and really soak in the steam. 
3. Hydrate! Water is your best friend. Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces. I'll leave it at that. 
4. Have a warm and simple meal. Rice and lentils, warm vegetable soup, things of that nature. Feel free to up the oil you use in the cooking. You want to reignite your digestive fire. Heavy, cold, take-out meals will not help with this. In fact, it will be the opposite. Keep it simple so that your body can take rest in digesting, and actually rejuvenate the body. Again, warm balances vata! 
5. Take rest. Go to bed early. Stay away from screens. Try listening and practicing a yoga nidra. Close your eyes. Read a book. Take rest. Ground yourself. 

You're on your way to enjoying the memories of a wonderful trip. Travel is rejuvenating. Don't let the the time back drain you.