The effects of traveling on our energy systems: What a family vacation to Disney taught me and a yoga sequence to release the stress from traveling

We recently got back from our very first Disney vacation and it was a great time, it was also very BUSY!

For someone who is so sensitive to the energy of others and the energy around me in the Universe, this was very draining- think empathy on steroids! I was also focused on trying to give my family a good time (don’t we ALL do this as parents, we try so hard to make it a great and memorable time that we end up making it a bit painful instead) I noticed on this trip that I tie my self worth to the experiences of those around me. I also have deep seated issues to money and self worth that I have been exploring and healing the last few years.

This vacation taught me so much about myself and specifically how my energy and chakra system was affected during travel.

Recognizing Privilege

At the time of the vacation, the Russian invasion has just happened in Ukraine and there was a part of me that harbored so much guilt and grief around privilege.

When I had a few moments to think about something other than our “scheduled fun”, I was seeing images of the war flash in my mind's eye, and pictures from news articles that I would check on during bathroom breaks. I was feeling the fear of the mothers fleeing the country with their small children. I was even letting myself sit in the space of “what if that was me?”.

I can only visualize myself in this space for a short moment because the pain and fear is so heavy on my chest. And, I only have to visualize myself. For now, I am safe and it is unlikely I will ever experience what the Ukrainian mothers are experiencing.

Our Instincts, Our Strength

We have our amazing human instincts of Fight, Flight or Freeze and we tap into this for survival or at least do our very best. The human psyche is truly remarkable when  it’s under pressure and we can withstand so much.

As I walked the beautifully landscaped grounds of Disney, I prayed for peace, prayed for relief for all the men, women and children affected by this senseless invasion. I would switch back and fourth from a state of guilt to a state of gratitude, sometimes the feelings would flash so quickly, the two would overlap and I would become overwhelmed. All I could do in those moments was pray, I would drop into silent prayer for peace. This is the human experience - multi-polar and often contradicting.

No Out Of Office For The Brain

When we travel our brains are working in overdrive whether we realize it or not. The way that the brain works is that it is always trying to protect us, so in the face of a very stressful situation (even if you enjoy traveling, it can be stressful and remember stressful doesn’t always mean “bad”, for example exercise is exerting stress on our muscles but it results in health if done properly and mindfully), parts of our brain kick into overdrive and other parts shut down, like our digestion, have you ever noticed when you are traveling that you can’t poop or your bowel movements are out of whack? That is because you’re experiencing a level of stress that is throwing your body off, remember, our bodies and minds work together, what happens to one, effects the other.

Your digestion may have been slowed down so other parts of your body get more energy to be alert as you are in unfamiliar territory and need to be more focused on your surroundings than usual or checking flight schedules to make sure everything is on time.

And just like our bodies and minds are interconnected, so are each one of us to each other, it’s what some call the human collective. It’s why the war in Ukraine right now is uniting so many together in prayer and help.

The Human Collective

As a human collective, what one of us does affects those around us, it’s the butterfly effect. Ever hear the saying in the healing community; when you heal yourself, you help heal others? The same goes for the opposite, when you hurt yourself, you hurt others. That is why it is so important for each one of us to be present in this human experience and to live mindfully. So not only do we enjoy our human experience, but others enjoy it too.  

Chakra Support

During this vacation, I experienced things that I think we can all relate to: I experienced being away from home and the familiarity of that, and traveling in general, which I never do. If you are not a traveller, this can be very overwhelming for the root chakra, that is why we want to focus a lot of stretches in this area with hip openers.

The root chakra, located at the base of our spine is the energy center that connects us to our foundations, our roots, our home base and our place in the world. When we are balanced in this area we feel safe, confident and a sense of belonging. I don’t know about you, but what I travel I feel extremely unbalanced in my root chakra. When I am in new surroundings I find myself on high alert and because I am in unfamiliar territory, I identify as an “outsider” and don’t feel the comforts of knowing my surroundings like I do at home. This resonates in my body as tight hips and feet pain.

The sacral chakra is where we associate our relationship to others, power, sex and money. We all know how expensive traveling can be and as previously stated- this trip conjured up some serious self worth issues for me when it comes to money! Thankfully my husband is much more balanced in his lower three chakras and helped me to get grounded when I would find anxiety causing me dis-ease in my body, mind and spirit. The sacral chakra is located above the root and governs our reproductive organs and kidneys. Got tummy troubles while traveling? I found applying peppermint essential oil over my stomach helps to soothe discomfort as well as sipping on peppermint tea.

Also during a vacation so many things are out of routine; our diets and workouts for example. I stretch and meditate every morning and I notice when I skip a day or two, my body is achy and hurts and I am short tempered. I didn’t get a chance to practice yoga or meditation for the 6 day trip and I was feeling it big time!

Chest openers are a great way to release any tension we are holding in our back and necks and also to release and let more love in. The chest is also where the heart chakra is located.

Paying The Toll With Your Body

Also during travel, you are moving your body in ways that you are not used to, standing a lot, waiting in lines, carrying extra stuff, walking more than you usually do, etc. I carried my son through half the Orlando Airport and Disney in one day, my neck and shoulders were JUNK and I ended up with a raging migraine, also from not drinking enough water or having coffee because who wants to have to pee on the plane or risk shitting their pants on a plane (talk about solar plexus trauma and not be able to properly digest emotions for 20+ years!) The solar plexus, located above the belly button governs our digestive organs and adrenal glands.

Not only are you physically drained, but emotionally and mentally you are drained trying to keep your kids cool in public. I saw so many parents walk into the park with smiling faces and so many walk out with gritted teeth and screaming kids! And of course there were the parents and kids who walked in and out with smiling faces but you know damn well at one point in the day shit got real for them. My kids appeared pretty good (it’s always nice to get compliments from strangers) but at one point my middle dropped her lollipop and shit was on like Donkey Kong! So you see? We all experience the same stuff in different ways, at different times- that is why it is so important not to judge others and to hold compassion and empathy for all humans.

Taking It All In

Add on the stimulation overload with crowds and people watching. I find sometimes when I am in close contact with someone, I pick up on their energy so quickly- almost like it invades my aura or energy field. I instantly find myself “attracted” to them and I try and figure out their “story” or maybe it’s just me making up what I think is their story in my head, I am not sure, but a lot of the time after this silent monologue- I will get a sign from Spirit or a “coincidence” will happen (if you know me, you know I don’t really believe in coincidences, everything happens for a reason). I often see hearts everywhere but during this trip it was sunflowers. I didn’t know until midway through the trip that the national flower of Ukraine is the sunflower. It just so happens to be my favorite flower and so I didn’t think too much of the signs at first.

I get signs from my Spirit Team every day and I have gotten the hang of knowing who is giving what sign. It’s a very cool thing to experiment with. If you are interested in learning more, check out my post Asking Your Loved Ones For a Sign.

I found myself looking at my kids and at how much fun they were having and feeling so grateful for this moment. I also felt guilty that there are so many others suffering right now. One night I tossed and turned all night thinking about the children affected in Ukraine that I ended up donating to an organization that offers humanitarian relief to them. I was feeling helpless and this small act was all I could offer at the moment.

Supporting Ukraine

If you would like to donate in any way, here is a way to make one donation that goes to helpful organizations that I found.

Another great way to be of service is to offer prayer and meditation. I practiced a lot of Tonglen meditation. Specifically, breathing in war and breathing out peace and of course prayer. Chose what feels best for you and start sending some love out into the world.  

Final Thoughts…

The biggest takeaway form this trip was how important it is to stay balanced and the experience of being totally off of balance was a nice reminder of how much care and attention I give to my energy and body on a daily basis.

Traveling for vacation is a wonderful luxury and privilege. The next time you are traveling for vacation, I invite you to be the observer of your experience, to enjoy the trip with as much gratitude as possible, and to take extra care of your body, mind and spirit upon returning home.

A great way to release stress is with yoga asana and pranayama breath-work. I hope you enjoy this practice to help set you at ease after a fun filled vacation or trip. 

Yoga Sequence for after traveling

Happy Travels!