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If you are anything like me, then every trip that you embark on is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure packed with excitement and new opportunities. And, come rain or shine, missing out on any adventure is out of the question. Well, while the nomad inside of you may feel this way, the truth is that traveling takes a toll on the body. Travel fatigue is an unfortunate reality for all travel junkies and, sadly, it will cause you to miss out on those exhilarating adventures that you crave. Thankfully, there are some simple, pre-travel tips that will allow you to combat travel fatigue and avoid missing out on all of the epic adventures that lie ahead.
Why do I feel tired when I travel?
It is completely normal to feel exhausted throughout a trip and, while there are numerous causes of travel fatigue, we can blame it on a few major causes:
- Stress. Before you even jet off, you’ve likely been living with a great deal of trip-related stress. Whether you realize it or not, preparing for a trip is stressful – you’re organizing transportation, planning an itinerary, preparing to take off time from work, and the duties go on and on!
- Physical exhaustion. Whether it’s in a car, bus, or plane – traveling is exhausting. From the second a trip begins until the moment it ends, you’re running around like a madman trying to get from place to place on time and in one piece. And, aside from the strict timeframes and pressures of navigation, you’re also jammed into an uncomfortably small seat for hours. By the end of your trip, your body has been put through numerous physical stressors that it’s simply not accustomed to – which leaves you wiped out.
- Poor eating habits. Be honest – when you travel, you eat like you’re back in middle school. Most of us suffer from terrible eating habits during vacation because fast food and processed junk seem to be the quickest and easiest way to curb hunger. Unfortunately, these foods do far more harm than good by turning us into sluggish zombies.
- Poor sleep habits. Our bodies’ normal routines are thrown off and the amount of sleep we receive decreases, so we end up feeling drowsy, lethargic, and even moody throughout the trip.
Pre-travel tips to stay energized
With the impact that traveling has on the body, we’re left wondering whether it’s possible to stay energized during our travels. These five tips will ensure that you stay awake and motivated on your next trip:
- Leading up to your trip, make sure that you’re getting enough sleep. While this may sound obvious, most people don’t receive the proper amount of sleep each night. And, when your body doesn’t get the rest it needs, you can suffer from drowsiness, brain fog, mood swings, and memory loss – all of which can be disastrous when traveling.
- Stock up on sleep essentials for your trip. Trying to fall asleep while you are traveling and away from home can be difficult. Build yourself a sleep survival kit with a sleep mask, noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, a travel pillow, sleepy time tea, and an oil diffusing necklace for aromatherapy.
- Plan time to rest. We all tend to overextend ourselves on vacation so make sure that you schedule time for rest and relaxation when you’re planning your itinerary. We recommend scheduling time for a nap, a relaxing activity, and a bedtime wind-down every day.
- Prepare healthy snacks. Most of the options for on-the-go foods are unhealthy. Prepare healthy meals and snacks and pack protein bars so you won’t be forced to eat junk food. If you have to eat pre-made food, avoid all processed foods and opt for whole foods.
- Pre-arrange transportation. Figuring out how to get around in an unfamiliar place can be extremely stressful. No matter if you’re flying or driving, you will need some help traveling from place to place, so prearrange all of your travel ahead of time.
Use these five pre-trip tips to stay energized and combat fatigue during your next trip and you’ll be able to cherish every moment of your travels.
Elise Morgan is a freelance writer from North Carolina
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