Glowing health usually requires balance, moderation, and routine. But variety is the spice of life— travel enlivens the spirit and new adventures feed the soul! However, many travelers find it difficult to happily hop around the country (or the world) without feeling some common travel woes, like disturbed sleep, poor digestion , constipation , or mild anxiety . From the perspective of Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science), most travel discomforts are due to increased vata dosha, the energy governing all movement in the body-mind. Despite constitutional differences, everyone has vata dosha, which supports movement in the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and digestive systems (and elsewhere). When vata is in a healthy state, these systems run smoothly—breath is fluid, elimination easy, thoughts well communicated, etc. But when the momentum of external travel increases the momentum of internal vata, the emotional result is feeling wound up, scattered, forgetful, or anxious, while the p...
When you’re feeling under the weather, the right nutrition can ease symptoms and help shorten the duration of the illness. While good nutrition and proper hydration can support the body’s immune system to help fight off a cold and help you recover, eating the wrong foods could make you feel worse or suppress immune function. No single food can cure a cold, flu , or other sickness. But eating a diet rich in whole, fresh foods and staying hydrated with water, caffeine-free herbal teas, and coconut water are beneficial, natural ways to support the body during sickness . Foods to Eat When Sick The following foods may help support immune function and speed up your recovery. Chicken Soup Chicken soup or similar broth-based soups are warming and soothing for a sore throat. Broths are also hydrating and can help thin mucus. Depending on the ingredients in the soup, they may also provide anti-inflammatory benefits and support immune system func...