Staying Grounded During Holiday Travel with Acupuncture and Breathwork
The holidays are a time of connection, celebration, and, for many, travel. While reuniting with loved ones is joyful, the process of getting there can be overwhelming. Crowded airports, traffic delays, and jet lag can leave you feeling frazzled and out of balance. This year, bring calm and intention to your journey with the help of acupuncture, breathwork, and holistic practices.
The Stress of Travel
Traveling disrupts our routines, strains our bodies, and can heighten anxiety. Common issues like fatigue, poor digestion, and a weakened immune system can make holiday travel a challenge. The good news? Simple, effective tools like acupuncture and mindful breathing can help you stay grounded and energized, no matter where the holidays take you.
Acupuncture for Travel Wellness
Pre-Travel Sessions
Booking an acupuncture session before you travel can help prepare your body and mind. Acupuncture reduces stress, boosts immunity, and enhances sleep—essential for starting your journey on the right foot. Key points focus on calming the nervous system and promoting resilience.
Combatting Jet Lag
Crossing time zones disrupts your body’s natural rhythms, leading to jet lag. Acupuncture restores balance by harmonizing your energy flow and regulating circadian rhythms. A session after you arrive can help you adjust to a new time zone and recover from travel fatigue.
DIY Acupressure for On-the-Go Relief
You don’t need a needle to benefit from acupuncture principles. Try stimulating these pressure points during your trip:
Neiguan (P6): Found on the inner wrist, this point relieves nausea and anxiety.
Yintang (Third Eye): Located between your eyebrows, it calms the mind and alleviates headaches.
Zusanli (ST36): Found below the kneecap, it boosts energy and supports digestion.
Breathwork for Staying Centered
Quick and Simple Techniques:
Mindful breathing is a powerful tool to reduce tension and promote relaxation:
Box Breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, and hold for 4 counts. This technique soothes the nervous system during moments of travel stress.
Diaphragmatic Breathing: Place your hand on your belly and focus on deep, slow breaths that expand your abdomen. This encourages relaxation and relieves tightness from sitting too long.
Breathing Apps: I love and use the Breathwrk app. I use the “calm” breathing throughout my day. It’s an inhale of 4 counts, with an exhale of 6 breaths.
Breathing on Long Flights or Drives
Pair breathwork with stretches or seated yoga poses to prevent restlessness and circulation issues. A few deep breaths every hour can keep your body and mind in harmony.
Herbal and Nutritional Support
Boost Your Immunity
Traveling exposes you to germs and leaves your immune system vulnerable. Support your body with herbs like elderberry, echinacea, or astragalus, which strengthen your defenses naturally. Bring along ginger or peppermint tea to aid digestion and settle an upset stomach.
Pack Healthy Snacks
Traveling can throw off your eating schedule. Avoid sugary or processed foods and opt for nutrient-dense options like nuts, seeds, beef jerky, packets of wild salmon, or roasted beans/lentils. Sugar and caffeine are both stimulants and can contribute to anxiety and feelings of uneasiness. Staying hydrated is also critical—drink lots and lots of water—herbal-infused water or electrolyte powders are great companions if you find it difficult to drink more water.
Mindfulness for a Calmer Journey
Grounding in the Chaos
Airports and busy rest stops can feel overstimulating. Try grounding techniques like visualizing a calming scene or focusing on the sensation of your feet on the floor.
Carry Tools that Help you Stay Calm
Before your trip, set an intention for your journey. Carry tools that help you stay centered and calm, such as essential oils (lavender or peppermint), a favorite journal, a meditation app, noise-cancelling headphones, a comfy travel pillow, a blackout sleep mask, Spotify playlists of your favorite songs, or supplements to help you relax (lemon balm, holy basil, magnesium, l-theanine). Sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page to receive my free e-book: 10 supplements for stress relief. And check out my Fullscript store to purchase all of my favorite products and brands.
Post-Travel Recovery
Once you’ve reached your destination, give yourself time to recover. A post-travel acupuncture session can help ease stiffness, regulate digestion, and restore balance. Rehydrate with herbal teas and soups, and make space for rest to ease back into your routine.
A Grounded and Joyful Holiday Season
Traveling doesn’t have to leave you feeling frazzled. With the support of acupuncture, breathwork, and holistic practices, you can approach your journey with calm, energy, and intention. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of grounded travel—and enjoy every moment along the way.