Desserts, caffeine, fried foods, and cigarettes all can cause irritation to your belly. Add this to fatigue and stress, and you’re a prime candidate for indigestion. When your stomach is in knots, try these quick tummy tamers:
First thing: Don’t eat too much while traveling. Overeating causes indigestion and lethargy.
Choose healthful, fresh foods like salads and soups.
At mealtime, be sure to sit down, relax, and eat slowly.
While you eat, drink water to aid the digestion process.
Peppermint or chamomile tea calms your stomach.
Gentle yoga stretches and deep, relaxed breathing can ease indigestion.
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
—Lao-tzu
On each trip, make a commitment to get to know at least one stranger. Be on the lookout, because without fail there is always someone with whom you are destined to make contact. Stay open and available, and welcome conversations with those around you.
I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.
—Mark Twain
Make sure you bring your sunglasses to protect yourself against bright sunlight. It’s also helpful to stop and take an eye break.
Close your eyes and let your face relax and soften.
Roll your eyes in slow, wide circles in both directions.
Rub your palms together and place your hands gently over your eyes.
Place your index fingers just above the middle of each eyebrow.
Press with your fingers and hold.
Close eyes and breathe deeply.
Remember the Philosophy of the Enlightened Traveler (see page 11). Though you may encounter surprises and challenges around every turn, stay committed to remaining calm and content. No matter whether you have to wait in a long line or your travel plans get dras-tically altered; you’ll stay cool!
If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
—Chinese proverb
Check in with your travelmates to see if they need anything. Whether it’s a shoulder massage or a kind word, everyone needs extra T.L.C. when far from home. It is important to keep your communications with your travel-mates as courteous and kind as possible.
A single conversation across the table with a wise man is worth a month’s study of books.
—Chinese proverb
As you travel across the globe to exciting destinations, try these challenging yoga stretches to keep you at your best.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
Inhale and fully extend your arms overhead with your palms pressed tightly together.
Exhale and lean your upper body to the left.
You should feel the stretch along the entire right side of your body.
Complete five deep, slow breaths.
Repeat this exercise, stretching to the right.
Stand up straight, with your feet hip-width apart.
Step your left foot over the right, keeping your left foot above the ground. Squeeze your inner thighs tightly together.
Wrap your left arm under your right; try to stretch your palms together.
Stand powerfully, and try to find your balance.
Squeeze your arms and legs tightly together like the strands of a rope.
Take five deep breaths and then switch sides. Hang in there. This pose takes time to master.
Eat dessert first. Life is uncertain.
—Anonymous
Stand with your feet together and your arms by your sides.
Focus your gaze straight ahead. Inhale and extend your arms toward the sky with your hands tightly in prayer position.
Lower your upper body to a ninety-degree angle and stretch your arms forward and stretch your leg backward with your toes pointed. Rest your hands on the wall if necessary.
Hold the posture for at least ten seconds, and then slowly return to a standing position.
Remember, breathing is the key to strength and calm.
Try this pose standing on your other leg.
Stand with your feet together and arms by your sides and fix your gaze on a spot straight ahead of you.
Inhale and bend your right leg backward, grasping the inside of your right foot with your right hand.
Extend your left arm above your head, fingertips reaching upward.
Slowly lower your left arm straight forward and kick your right leg back as you stretch forward.
Hold the posture up for fifteen seconds while taking deep, calm breaths.
Repeat this pose one to three times on each side.
There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.
—Robert Louis Stevenson
Gather your courage, stand with your feet together, and raise your arms straight out to either side.
Take a big step to the right, with your right foot turned out toward the right.
Bend your right knee at a ninety-degree angle. Make sure your knee is directly over your foot.
Keep your left foot planted firmly and your left leg straight.
Your upper body should be tall and straight and your shoulders relaxed.
Stand strong for fifteen seconds.
Slowly return to a standing position and repeat the stretch to the other side.
Stand straight, take a deep breath, and prepare to relax.
Stretch your arms up toward the sky.
Bend your knees slightly and exhale.
Drop your arms and upper body toward the ground and let your neck hang.
Relax your head and shoulders and take deep, full-body breaths.
Let everything sag toward the ground while you bend over.
For extra rejuvenation, reach around and lightly pound your fists on your lower back.
Return to a standing position by slowly walking your hands up your legs.
Make haste slowly.
—Zen master
Relax … breathe …
imagine standing on the peak
of magnificent Mount Everest.
Feel the inspiration
of being on top of the world,
inhale the crisp air,
see the view unfolding for miles around.
To see what few have seen, you must go where few have gone.
—Buddha
