How To Choose A Vacation Spot Based On Your Dosha

Do you have vacation on your mind now that summer is fast approaching? Have you ever stopped to think about what a balancing vacation spot may be for you? 

Environment plays a role in your health and well-being, too! According to Ayurveda, there are various environments which harness healing properties for specific doshas. This blog sheds light on how to choose a vacation that supports your constitution.

Funny enough, this article was sparked by a dream I have one night. In my dream, I contemplated various destinations for each dosha. Read below for tips to plan a trip that is best for you! 

Vata

Vata types struggle with travel because travel sparks movement. Vata is air and space and has plenty of movement already. Traveling on an airplane means you are traveling through space and time quickly (400 mph+)! Even traveling by car, you are moving quickly (75 mph+ on the highway). Ayurveda provides insight on how to balance the elements in your environment and your body for optimal well-being. 

Travel Insider Trick: Constipation is common with travel due to excess movement. Movement increases vata which increases dryness. Triphala is a wonderful Ayurvedic herb which can be used for constipation due to travel. It is a blend of three fruits and helps to regulate bowel movements. 

Here are two recommendations for vata types:

Staycation! Get extra sleep, each nourishing foods, and stay warm where you are. 

Go somewhere tropical! Warm and moist environments are most balancing for the cold and dry properties of vata. Here are a few locations to consider:

• Hawaiian Islands
• Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
• Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Pitta

Pitta types need to pay extra attention to staying cool in the summer. Pitta is fire and a little water. The sun and heat can cause rash, inflammation and redness for pittas. 

Choose somewhere that is cool in temperature! Here are some places that are notoriously cooler in the summer months:

• San Francisco, California
• Seattle, Washington
• Portland, Oregon
• Rochester, New York
• San Diego, California

Kapha

Kapha is earth and water, and these types can use the activation and stimulation of a dry heat. While on vacation, choose to move around. Go for walks or hikes in the heat. Hop on a bike and go for a ride. Movement is great for you!

Choose a location that is warm and dry - think desert! Here is a list of hot and dry places:

• Sedona, Arizona
• Tucson, Arizona (my hometown!)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Palm Springs, California 
• Moab, Utah

Tips to Naturally Defeat A Cold

When you find yourself or your loved ones under the weather there are many natural remedies at your fingertips that boost immunity. Below are six tips to support mind, body and spirit when the common cold gets you down.

1. Sleep and Rest - This is the most important tip to get over a cold. When we rest, our body rejuvenates itself. Rejuvenation is when the body repairs and becomes whole again. Be sure to get in bed as early as possible. Aim to be asleep by 10p at the latest. However, if you can get into bed by 8p or 9p that is even better! It is said that every hour of sleep before midnight is worth double that after midnight. 

2. Warm, Soothing Bath with Epsom Salt + Essential Oils  - Nothing feels better than a bath when sick! Let the warm water soothe your achy body, and relax your mind with essential oils. Here are two places to find high quality essential oils: Floracopeia and Mountain Rose Herbs.

Bath Soak:
1 - 1 1/2 cups of Epsom Salt
Essential Oils Of Choice - (I used 10 drops of eucalyptus, 5 sweet orange and 5 clove bud)

Plug bath, and begin running warm bath water. Place epsom salt near the drain and continue filling bath up. Add in essential oils of choice. Once full, hop in and soak away! 

3. Eucalyptus Steam - This is a safe and natural way to open sinuses. Boil 1 cup of hot water on the stove top. Remove from stove and place somewhere flat where you can lean over safely. Add 8 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Either cover head with a cloth or cover pot with cloth, lean over pot and inhale.

4. Hot Liquids -  Stay warm with hot liquids. Sip on herbal tea or even plain hot water. The warmth aids digestion. Digestion is weakened when sick, so be mindful to feed your body warm, well-cooked and nourishing foods! More on that below. :)

5. Simple Foods - Kitchari is a staple in Ayurveda. It is a blend of easy-to-digest mung beans, white basmati rice, spices and ghee. Kitchari was created to nourish the young, elderly, and the sick. Here is a lovely recipe. Another option is simple well-cooked rice or lentil dish. Add in some savory spices such as cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper. 

6. The Sun! - Even a very minute amount of sun can revitalize the body. The sun exudes prana or life energy. It also acts as a mood booster and lifts the spirit when colds can bring us down.