We all enjoy travelling, and now that the world has opened up as a result of the pandemic, everyone has a reason to travel even more, almost with a vengeance! However, travel can be very stressful on both the body and the mind. Travelling disrupts our routine, time zone differences can disrupt sleep patterns, and simply being in a new location can push us out of our comfort zone. Anxiety begins to creep in at this point, causing imbalances and disturbances in our physical, emotional, and mental bodies. Jenil Dholakia, Holistic Yoga and Well-being Coach shares five ways in which yoga can help you manage travel anxiety:
Take deep breaths
Allow the breath to be your best friend before and during your journey. Simply remember to take deep belly breaths whenever you feel overwhelmed by any situation. Deeply inhale through the nose and slowly exhale through the mouth. After 5-10 breaths, you will be in a much better position to deal with the situation.
Yoga on the go
Long flights and car/bus rides can cause stiffness and soreness. Stretches and poses for stress relief include neck rolls to the left and right, shoulder rotations clockwise and anticlockwise, spinal stretches - lateral and twisting, seated marjariasana/cat pose, Uttanasana/standing forward fold, and Adho mukha svanasana/downward facing dog pose. It is critical to restore joint mobility after prolonged sitting.
Mindful mornings
Set aside at least ten minutes each morning to sit in silence. Simply close your eyes and bring your attention to the present moment. Beginning the day in this manner will assist you in calming your thoughts, controlling your anxiety, and preparing you to go through the day in a balanced state of mind. You can conclude the meditation by saying aloud, "I am ready to face the day and I choose to go with the flow." This will train your subconscious mind to be mindful all day.
Viparaita Karni / Legs up the wall pose
After a long day, this is a great pose to jump into when you're exhausted, especially if your legs are tired from all the walking. Simply lie on your back on the floor and raise your legs to form a capital L shape against the wall. If you hold this pose for 5 minutes before going to bed, you will fall asleep like a baby.
Nature connection
Spending time in nature is the most healing thing you can do. Spend some time outside of your daily routine in a park or near a natural body. Turn off your phone and surrender with all of your senses. See the various colours and patterns around you, listen to the sounds of birds, waterfalls, and rivers, smell the various fragrances of flowers and trees, touch the soft grass and leaves, and fully immerse yourself in nature's beauty. Allow nature to heal, recharge, and uplift you.