Travelling lets you create memorable moments that will stay with you forever and allows you to see and experience things you never would back home. However, while the destination is very much worth it, the journey there can be a little uncomfortable. In fact, it’s not uncommon to arrive at your vacation spot feeling more tired than when you were back home. Depending on how long the journey is, you might even start feeling ill due to lack of adequate sleep, as well as eating poorly and not drinking enough water.
Travelling should be a time when you relax and unwind completely, and feeling under the weather means you won’t be able to enjoy your free time to the fullest. If you’ve noticed that this is a common concern for you, you’ve probably been wondering if there’s anything you can do to remedy the situation. Luckily, there are several ways to modify your travelling routine to ensure you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to explore new places and enjoy yourself.
Compression socks
Whether you’re up for a lengthy car ride or a long-haul flight, you should consider wearing a pair of compression socks. For extra protection, you should consider a knee-length pair. Compression socks encourage normal circulation because of the pressure on your ankles.
You can either get yours from regular retailers or go to your doctor to get a prescription. They not only decrease the risk of blood clots during long-haul flights but will also alleviate the uncomfortable swelling that typically occurs after you spend a long time sitting down.
Snacks
When you’re getting ready for a trip, you’ll pack your clothing, look for accommodation, book your flight and check places like the Stansted airport parking for options for your vehicle if you’re flying out of London. However, if you want to enjoy a healthy snack as well, you must also remember to bring it from home. Options at the airport could be limited, particularly if you’re travelling earlier during the day or very late at night.
You should avoid anything with a lot of sodium since it can contribute to bloating and will increase swelling. Instead, you can bring some high-fibre snacks that will keep you full of energy without making you uncomfortable. Peanut butter and pomegranate toast, energy balls, seasoned almonds, chia pudding or kale chips are some of the best options. Just make sure you don’t pack too much, or you won’t be allowed to take them along.
Clothing
The general rule when it comes to travelling, whether it’s a flight or a long road trip, is to avoid anything that’s too tight or constricting. It can stop your regular circulation, and you are more likely to sweat and feel overheated, especially if you’re travelling to a warmer destination. You should also layer clothing during the trip since the air conditioning might cause you to feel chilly.
It also helps if you arrive later during the evening or at night when it will be colder than during the day. Have a sweatshirt or cardigan ready in your luggage, and keep the extra space available if you need to remove the top layer. Wearing comfortable shoes is also essential, so avoid anything that doesn’t keep your feet safe, such as high heels. Just because you don’t walk a lot while travelling doesn’t mean that you won’t start feeling uncomfortable. Sneakers are the best option, just as athletic wear is a tried-and-tested option when it comes to clothing. Add some insoles into your shoes if you feel that you require the extra support.
Travel pillow and eye mask
Make sure you include a travel pillow and sleep mask for extra comfort during your journey, whether that’s on a flight on on a long road trip. Bringing a travel pillow will also help you relax since it wraps around the neck and lets you sleep in any position.
Eye masks are a good idea too. Limiting light exposure helps you fight jet lag, a common problem that can leave you feeling tired for days and really put a damper on your trip. Light exposure regulates your natural circadian rhythm, so blocking it when you need to allows your body to adjust to the different time zones.
Travelling with children
If you’re planning to travel with your young children as well, you must make sure they don’t get bored. Bring some covers that will keep them from getting chilly, either on the plane, the bus or the car. Assuming you want to secure a stress-free trip to the airport with your kids, try and park nearby and have a valet take care of your vehicle. Toddlers must be kept busy throughout the trip, so pack some art supplies they can use. Crayons and blank paper should be enough to keep them entertained for a while, as well as some stickers that will add to the overall excitement.
Although most parents shun screens, you’ll find electronic devices are a godsend. Make sure the device is fully charged, and add your child’s favourite movies or videos to support offline viewing. Kid-size headphones help as well. You can invest in a splitter that lets more than one pair of headphones connect to the same device. The headphones will also block external noises that might cause your child to become agitated. Reducing the sensory overload will help your children feel calmer and more relaxed, so your journey is fuss-free as well.
When it comes to snacks, string cheese, granola bars, pretzels, homemade mini muffins, Wheat Thins, rice cakes and dried fruit are all healthy options that are also not messy.
Hygiene
Travelling for long distances can make you feel grimy, which will only add to your discomfort. Since showering isn’t a readily available option unless you’re flying first class, you should consider bringing some items along that will help you feel fresh even after a long-haul flight. A toothbrush, toothpaste, mints, baby wipes and deodorant are some of the basics. If you think that your skin has become very dry, you can use a hydrating face mask or apply extra moisturiser.
Travelling is fun, but the journey itself can also be challenging and uncomfortable. Just a few tips are enough to ensure you’re fully comfortable throughout your trip.
