TRAVELING TIPS FOR SENSITIVE PEOPLE

Although traveling to new places is exciting, depending on the length of the trip, it can also be a physical, emotional and energetic stress. Everyone feels the effects of travelling differently. Those effects can range from joy and excitement to total panic and physical dysregulation.
 
Highly sensitive people experience the world differently. They are acutely affected by things other people may have no awareness of, for example: other people’s energies, different forms of lighting, smells, food allergies + sensitivities, noise and EMF pollution. 
 
Luckily there are many strategies to help with the stress of travel and long journeys.
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1. Staying Hydrated

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Staying hydrated is the single best way to ensure a positive traveling experience. The air inside the cabin of a plane has a humidity level of about 10 to 20 percent which is much lower than a comfortable, typical indoor humidity of 30 to 65 percent. Dehydration can be a real problem for people with respiratory issues such as asthma. It can cause dry and irritated skin and eyes and an increased risk of catching a virus. Humidity keeps the mucosa of your airways moist so that it can trap pathogens trying to get into your body. When the mucosa is dried out from dehydration, viral and bacterial pathogens can pass through easier. Dehydration can also cause fatigue, lethargy and body aches and pains.  
 
The Functions of Water in Our Body Include:
 
 

• Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements
• Keeps your temperature normal
• Lubricates and cushions joints
• Protects sensitive tissues

 
 
So How much Water should I drink?
 
The National Academy of Sciences recommends adequate fluid intake to be:

• About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men
• About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women

 
These fluids can include water, other beverages and food. About 20% of our fluid intake comes from food ~ 540 mL for women. During plane travel those numbers increase due to the dehydrated environment. Continuous fluid intake during plane travel is important. Once you are past security you can load up on purified water, fresh juices or smoothies like Odwalla and Happy Planet.
Keeping your skin hydrated will feel better as well. Pack a non-toxic lotion or cream to put on during the flight to reduce dry and itchy skin. 

​References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-travel/air-travel-and-dehydration.aspx
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​2. Noise Canceling Headphones

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​Reducing your exposure to each of the sense stresses on the journey will improve your overall  experience. Hearing is one of our senses that gets overwhelmed during air travel. Ear plugs are handy and can be carried in any pocket and used at any time. 
 
For a high level of sound barrier, consider purchasing a set of noise cancelling headphones. They work even without the use of music. Which means you can use them to help you sleep on long flights. 
 
They range in price but a perfectly good pair by JVC is going for under $200, and wireless. Here is a review of noise cancelling headsets for 2019.
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​Meditation + Breathing Exercises

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​Although the last thing you probably want to do is become mindful during a long travel day, it can be helpful to connect into the presence of your body using breathing and meditation techniques. 
 
Breathing exercises help bring oxygen into the blood and tissues which is compromised during air travel. Sitting for long periods of time reduces oxygen exposure to the lower extremities and can make muscles feel tight, or painful. Make sure to get up as often as you can, choose an aisle seat so you feel free to do so, to walk the aisle, stretch your joints and keep the lymph moving throughout your body. 
 
Technique 1 – simply putting your hand over your abdomen, closing your eyes and taking a long deep breath in for the count of 7, holding for 4 and breathing out for 8 can reduce anxiety and increase a sense of peace. Just ask Dr. Andrew Weil who invented it at Harvard. 
 
Technique 2 – Guided meditation. Yoga Nidra is an excellent guided meditation for relaxing. Consider downloading some pre-recorded audio before your flight so you have something to tune into during the flight. Doyogawithme.com has a large assortment of yoga nidra for download as do other pay sites like Spotify. 
 
Meditation has been shown to lower anxiety, reduce depression, pain and improve sleep. Why not get acquainted to a form that works for you while you have virtually nothing else to do?
 
References:https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/stress-anxiety/breathing-three-exercises/
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​4. Crystals

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​Crystals are an energetic grid that have different vibrations based on bond length and structure. And some work well for relaxing, while others affect EMF pollution around you. Consider going to a crystal store and picking up the stones one at a time. Notice what washes over you? A sense of calm? Anxiety? Connection? These physical aids are worth investigating for their positive effects on the body. You can carry these on your body in a pocket or for a closer connection they can do directly on your skin by tucking them into your bra, or as a jewellery piece like a bracelet. 
 
I don’t have any scientific studies to back this selection up, but you can try them for yourself and make your own decision. For travelling consider:
Flourite + Shungite -  to block EMF pollution
Jet – for relaxation and grounding
Hematite – for a grounding sense, and to stimulate concentration and focus
Howlite – to reduce anxiety
 
 
Crystals are also beautiful to look at, and even if it’s a placebo effect to think you have something that is keeping you safe and protected, well it’s at least 30% effective which is more than some pharmaceuticals. 
 
References:
https://thechalkboardmag.com/travel-nerves-carry-on-crystals
http://www.happiestwhenexploring.com/packing/7-crystals-for-travel/
https://askronandsue.com.au/Crystal-healing-top-10-crystals-for-travel/
http://originstones.com/7-essential-stones-for-travel/
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​5. Essential Oils

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​​When used in a really sparing way, to spare the people around you who may not feel the same way about the scent you are using, essential oils can be used topically in an effective way to revive the mind, relax the body and improve your travel experience. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils and they have scientific evidence of their actions. You can bring your favorite one with you, or consider making a blend diluted in a carrier oil in a roll applicator on for a specific purpose. 
 
Deep Blue by Doterra – pain relief. One or two drops at the base of the spine, or occiput. Can be bought as a topical lotion with the same effects. 
Lavender – promote relaxation, anti-anxiety, sedation
Rosemary – cerebral circulatory stimulant, uplifting
Orange – uplifting, anti-depressant
Rosewood – anti-depressant
 
It can also be a good idea to travel with an antiseptic and antimicrobial essential oil in case you need to use it topically or in an inhalation during an upper respiratory tract infection.  
 
Tea tree + Eucalyptus globulus essential oils – are both antiseptic and antimicrobial. They useful for fungal skin infections like tinea (ring worm) or onychomycosis (toenail fungus). They can be applied to closed skin directly or diluted in a carrier oil. Eucalyptus is especially useful in case of a cold or sinus issue. 4 drops of oil can be added to a pot of recently boiled water, for a steam inhalation using a towel draped over your head. Remember to be careful of the steam, it is very hot and can burn, and to keep your eyes closed! 5 minutes is all that is needed to provide antimicrobial action to your nasal tract to reduce swelling and congestion. 
 
 
Reference: 
https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/eucalyptus-oil.asp
https://www.pranarom.com
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils#orange-essential-oil
 

Traveling can be difficult depending on the duration and how sensitive you are. Consider adding in one or more of these strategies and let us know how they worked for you!