Traveling is exciting, but something it can leave you feeling exhausted. Whether you’re struggling to fight off jet lag and adjust to a new time zone, dealing with a medical complication such as recovering from toe straightening surgery or feeling tired from back-to-back activity-packed days, travel fatigue can be unavoidable on certain trips. If you are planning an intense vacation in the upcoming future or dealing with travel fatigue on a trip right now, here are a few tips for fighting fatigue to help get you back on track to enjoying your trip in no time.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
One of the biggest causes of travel fatigue is a general sense of sleep deprivation. During a busy trip, it can be difficult to get a good amount of sleep. Between staying up late doing activities and waking up early to catch a flight, a lack of sleep can lead to serious feelings of fatigue, especially after getting little to no sleep several nights in a row. Make sure that you get enough sleep by turning in early or allowing yourself to sleep in, at least during the first few days of your trip. If you are unable to get a full 7-8 hours of sleep at night, try taking a nap during the mid-morning or early in the afternoon to ensure your body is getting enough rest in order to keep going.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating fried food or sweets can also contribute to feelings of fatigue. Unfortunately for many travelers, eating unhealthy foods come fairly naturally while on vacation, due to a lack of fresh food available or a desire to try local or tasty cuisines. Maintaining a healthy diet while on vacation including whole foods and fresh fruits and vegetables will allow you to keep energy levels high and avoid unpleasant feelings of fatigue or sluggishness.
Unplug From Social Media
If you aren’t feeling great on vacation, spending a great deal of time scrolling through your endless social media feed will likely not help things. If you find yourself struggling with major feelings of fatigue, take a break from your screen. This will not only raise your energy levels but living in the moment and taking in the sights and sounds of the destination around you will raise serotonin levels, acting as a natural energizer.
