8 Ways to Stay Happy & Healthy on the Road

Heather Peterson, the Chief Yoga Officer at CorePower Yoga, is on the road 40 weeks of the year training studio teams across the nation. We sat down with Heather to learn the top travel rituals that keep her healthy and energized when she’s on the road.

1. Take Your Yoga Practice With You

Travel, whether by car or plane can be tough on your joints and muscles from sitting for long periods of time. Take your yoga practice with you when you travel and you’ll always be a peaceful traveling warrior.

After a flight, I like to do yoga when I land – it helps me reset mentally, stretch my muscles – and it can help with jetlag as well. 

If there’s not a CorePower Yoga studio nearby, I put a towel down and do a few postures in the comfort of my hotel room.

Some of my favorite post-travel postures include:

Downward Dog (hold for 5-10 breaths)Supine Figure Four/Half Pigeon (hold each side for 5-10 breaths)Supine Twist (hold each side for 5-10 breaths)Legs Up the Wall (hold for 2-5 minutes)

Pro Tip: Download the CorePower Yoga app to find studios close to you when you travel!

2. Stay Hydrated.

Staying hydrated is important for everyone, and especially for yogis on the go.

Coconut water is available at most airports now, so I grab that plus a bottle of water, then I ask for hot water with lemon on the plane. Sipping hot water with lemon is an ancient practice from Ayurveda to deeply hydrate the body.

3. Keep it Clean!

I bring antibacterial wipes with me every time I get on a plane to wipe down the tray table and the chair and armrests. I also pack Thieves essential oil (packed with cleaning power and an irresistibly spicy scent) and sprinkle it on the sheets and under my pillow at my hotel – it’s so lovely and cozy to snuggle into that cinnamon smell!

4. Bolster Your Immune System

My must-haves for healthy travel are extra Vitamin C (Emergen-C or Airborne are great options), Vitamin D3 and Colloidal Silver spray – it’s naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. I spray it in my nose and throat before and after the flight.

5. Unplug + Ground

I like to spend the first and last part of the flight with a guided meditation app (my favorite is Deepak Chopra) or listening to a great book. I work too, but by ending the flight with meditation I am grounded during the travel process and arrive refreshed at my destination.

6. Expect the Unexpected + Pack Emergency Snacks

Some of my favorite snacks are fresh apples, dried/dehydrated apple slices, protein bars (GoMacro MacroBars and Nugo Vegan Protein Bars are my favorites) and unsalted nuts. These all pack well and will get you through with great energy. I also always carry dark chocolate in small quantities as a treat!

7. Wear a Scarf

I always travel with a scarf, especially during cold/flu season. The scarf keeps the back of my neck warm, which Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine both prescribe for bolstering the immune system. 

8. Practice Forgiveness

Most importantly, forgive yourself and do the best you can. Some airports are limited and travel requires letting go more. I err on the side of fueling up with the best choice I can and think positively about it rather than beating myself up for that extra piece of chocolate (or two!)