An arm is partially submerged in water with the elbow and hand resting on brown rock in clear water. There are a few gentle ripples radiating out from the hand.

I recently traveled to Mexico City, and I’m still in love with my days there. There’s something beautiful about the way art is woven into everyday life. You don’t have to go to a museum or gallery to find beauty because every corner, shop, wall, and street is filled with it.

There’s an appreciation of beauty for beauty’s sake in Mexico City that continues to move and amaze me. It reminds me that beauty is an essential part of being human–it sparks emotion and sensation. Beauty grounds you in the present moment, slowing you down and inviting you to nourish your soul.

As summer heats up, many of us find ourselves on the road. I asked my team to share their wellness essentials and travel tips. From your packing list, travel routine, and skin protection, these are the things we turn to for staying balanced when we’re on the go.

Dr. Avanti: Nourish from the inside out.

As much as I love travel, time zone changes wreak havoc on my routines. This kind of disruption is considered a Vata imbalance, where the element of air is in overdrive. I have a few ways to reduce Vata and regain balance when I’m away from home.

Sync with the local time zone as soon as possible.

As soon as I land, I take a 15–20 minute walk outdoors and eat a small meal based on the local time, even if I’m not hungry. I want to sync my routines to local time as soon as possible to regain equilibrium.

Exposure to natural light helps your circadian rhythm adjust and signal the correct hormones for sleep or sun, depending on the time of day.

Meal timing is another important signal for your body. Meals should follow the path of the sun, with your largest meal in the middle of the day. Eating large meals late into the evening makes it harder for your digestion overnight.

Pack your own snacks.

I always bring grounding, nutrient-dense foods like berries, nuts, olives, half an avocado with lime, salt and pepper, and almond crackers. These foods balance Vata’s dryness and instability by having oily and warming qualities that lend stability. These snacks also have healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, which support digestion, stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduce inflammation.

Prioritize hydration over caffeine.

It’s so tempting to drink coffee or black tea when you’re tired or jet-lagged. But flying dries you out, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Travel also weakens your digestive fire, or agni. To counteract dehydration and weak digestion, I love to bring fresh ginger to steep in hot water mid-flight. You can also drink regular water or get a boost of electrolytes (I love LMNT’s Mango Chili flavor!).

These small habits keep me feeling like myself, even when I’m far from home.

Jackie: Packing light for maximum fun.

My motto is “be prepared.” I’m someone who loves bringing a purse with me on vacation so I have everything I need when unexpected things come up. I gravitate toward mini products, either the smallest versions available or reusable travel containers I can refill with my go-to products.

Here are a few items I always keep on hand, all in mini sizes:

Native deodorant
Organic chewing gum
Riddle roll on perfume oil
Extra moisturizing hand lotion
Tinted sunscreen that is reef-friendly
Trifold wallet
Hair ties
Lip oil
A single-use makeup wipe

I avoid over-packing my purse so that I can easily find what I need. I pack my purse a day before a night out on vacation so that I’m not in a rush and grabbing things I don’t need. Only the bare essentials!

Dr. Avanti Says: Simplicity and intentionality calm vata and reduce overwhelm. Clutter = mental chaos. A light bag = a clear mind.

Ruth: Protect your skin and your sanity.

My parents lovingly banished me outside during hot summer days as a kid. But I learned early that I can turn lobster red with just 20 minutes of sun exposure. I’m prone to skin irritation in any season—eczema, acne, heat rashes, hives—so I’m attentive to skin protection.

Here’s how I take care of my skin (and my sanity) on sweaty summer days.

So much sunscreen.

I’m always trying to get an A+ grade from my dermatologist, so I apply sunscreen liberally. My favorite sunscreen for my face is a lightweight option from SKIN1004 that doesn’t sting my eyes. They also have a roll-on version that is great for quick reapplications when I don't have time to wash my hands before reapplying. I’m less picky about what I put on my body, but you’ll see me with a big tube of sunscreen lotion (not spray) with an SPF of 50 or more.

Midday skin refreshes.

I wash my face every morning and evening, but sometimes the heat calls for an intervention. Instead of drying out my face with a midday rinse, I use body-safe hypochlorous acid sprays to kill any bacteria. This helps with my acne as well. I tend to touch my face throughout the day, and it’s a hard habit to kick.

Protective clothing.

In middle school, I stubbornly wore jeans even at peak Indiana heat and humidity. While I don’t recommend jeans, middle school me was right about covering up. Linen is a great option for skin-covering styles. And UV-blocking clothes designed for summer heat are a great upgrade. I’ve never liked hats, but they help protect the scalp and face.

Good luck out there!

Dr. Avanti Says: When pitta runs high, your skin often tells the story first. Cooling, calming routines—like shade, hydration, and gentle skincare—aren’t just protective, they’re a powerful way to restore balance from the outside in.

Wherever you travel this summer, remember that a few intentional choices can make all the difference to your well-being. Ayurveda reminds us that balance is always within reach, even on the go. By staying connected to what nourishes us—inside and out—we can feel more grounded, more present, and more alive in every moment.

Be well,