Do you feel tired after traveling? You’re not alone! Traveling can be very tiring, both physically and mentally. There are many reasons why this is the case, but don’t worry – we have some tips for you that will help make travel less exhausting. Keep reading to learn more!
14 Reasons Why Travel Is So Tiring
1) Emotions: Fear, Anxiety, or Excitement
Fear, anxiety, or excitement before traveling are widespread emotions. Some people are afraid because they’ve never traveled before, while others are worried about what they’ll leave behind or what to expect when they arrive. However, most people’s excitement before traveling outweighs all other feelings.
2) Mental Fatigue
Travel can also cause mental fatigue if you’re not used to it. A long flight with many changes or a train ride through several countries can be quite exhausting for some people. There’s no way around it – you’ll have a lot of stress while traveling, too!
Mental fatigue is caused by sustained mental activity. It can result from stress, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep. It can affect performance and concentration.
Preparing for travel requires a lot of organization and other issues that must be resolved before you leave. For example, you must pack everything so you don’t forget anything important during the trip. You also must ensure that all your papers are ready (passport, visa, tickets, etc.). You must pack your clothes and other personal things, and maybe do some at home or work. All of this takes time and energy from your mind and body, which can lead to mental fatigue.
When we travel, we often experience new things, meet new people, and learn about different cultures, which can also be mentally exhausting. The many new impressions we gather on our travels can significantly affect our performance and concentration!
3) Stress at the Airport
When you travel, many things can cause stress. Since September 11, and even more so since COVID-19, airports have been stressful. Long lines, check-ins, and baggage claims can make traveling stressful.
People who travel for work also have higher stress levels and may sleep less well. For example, they might’ve trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the night before a flight. This can lead to exhaustion and fatigue during the day.
Here are some tips to help you manage your stress:
5) Lack of Exercise
It’s hard to find room for exercise while traveling. Without exercise, it’s hard for your body to produce endorphins, natural neurotransmitters that help relieve stress and improve mood. If you don’t get enough exercise while traveling, you may feel more anxious and stressed than usual.
6) Dehydration
Dehydration is the one thing that makes traveling a punishment. It’s no fun being tired and in a bad mood, but it’s even less fun when your body feels like it doesn’t belong to you.
Drinking enough water is critical to avoiding this problem, so always have a bottle of water with you (and don’t forget to drink it!) – and don’t try to gulp down a lot of water at once: instead, drink slowly and gradually!
Other things that dehydrate your body include coffee and alcohol (both of which are diuretics) and salty foods (like French fries)
7) Sleep Inertia
Flying can cause sleep inertia because the airplane cabin pressure changes during takeoff and landing. The change in airplane cabin pressure makes your ears roar, making you feel groggy as you try to adjust to being awake. Travelers who don’t get enough sleep before a flight can also be affected by sleep inertia when boarding a plane.
To overcome sleep inertia, it’s a good idea to drink plenty of water before and during the flight, keep your eyes open during takeoff and landing, and avoid alcohol and caffeine. If you’re taking a long-distance trip by car, get a good night’s sleep beforehand to reduce the effects of sleep inertia when you arrive at your destination.
8) Lack of Comfort
Flights are exhausting, especially if they’re long. If you’re trying to sleep while sitting and hear other people snoring or children crying in the seat next to you, it can be difficult for anyone to get enough sleep; even sitting upright for hours can cause muscle tension in your back or neck.
The lack of comfort can be the difference between an enjoyable vacation and feeling like you need another vacation to recover.
9) Busy Schedule
Traveling can be exhausting, especially if you’re going to and from multiple destinations in a short amount of time. You’ve to spend time packing and unpacking, checking in and out of hotels and airports, and finding your way around unfamiliar places
Whether on a business trip or traveling for pleasure, it’s important to plan to stay healthy while traveling. If possible, schedule rest days between trips, so you don’t feel exhausted by the end of your trip. This will also give you time to explore without worrying about where your next destination is.
10) Poor Diet
Poor nutrition is one of the most common causes of fatigue. Before you travel and while there, you must eat healthily. Poor nutrition can cause fatigue and make it harder for your body to fight off germs or recover from illness or injury.
Changing your diet while traveling can lead to low energy levels, poor concentration, and irritability. Many people eat more processed foods when traveling, often high in fat, sugar, sodium, and chemicals that can spike blood sugar levels.
If you don’t eat enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, your body won’t get the nutrients it needs to meet physical demands and stay healthy.
11) Weak Immune System
Travel fatigue can make you more susceptible to illness, but it’s not just about being tired. Your immune system is weakened by travel, making it harder for your body to fight off infections like colds and flu. If you already have a cold or illness, travel fatigue can make it worse.
Traveling on a plane or being on a long road trip can also cause sore muscles and stiffness, making you feel even more tired.
12) Jet Lag
If you’re not awake enough during the day, it can make you unable to adjust to the local time zone.
If you’re jetlagged, you’ll feel daytime sleepiness, your memory and concentration will decrease, and you may be in a bad mood and have a low tolerance for frustration.
The cause of jet lag is the time zone difference between your origin and destination, which can disrupt your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock) by confusing your biological clock – which regulates your sleep-wake cycle – with the external environment.
It’s common to feel exhausted after a trip, especially when traveling to a new time zone. Jet lag can affect anyone, but it’s awful for frequent travelers who cross multiple time zones regularly.
You can alleviate jet lag by getting plenty of rest before traveling so that fatigue doesn’t bother you during a long flight or car travel. If possible, also avoid caffeinated drinks after noon; they only make things worse. Taking melatonin supplements can also help prevent jet lag symptoms. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medications for travel.
13) Disrupted Routine
From lifestyle changes to jet lag, a new environment can take a toll on your energy level. The first few days in a new place are usually the most stressful – but they’re also the beginning of adjusting to the new routine. This process can take time, so be patient and give your body time to adjust to life abroad.
Traveling interrupts your usual routine, putting your body and mind under stress. Feeling tired or irritable while traveling is normal because you live outside your usual environment. Your sleep patterns will likely change, as will your diet and daily exercise habits
14) Heavy Baggage
This may not be obvious, but because we spend so much time in transit (in airports, in hotels, between locations), it can be easy to get tired of lugging our bags around.
It can also lead to back pain and muscle strain if you don’t use the right kind of luggage for your trip. This makes walking harder, especially when tired or have had a long day.
Travel Tips
Traveling is fun but can get boring if you feel tired and worn out afterward. That’s why it’s essential to know how to avoid travel fatigue.
Here are some tips to reduce tiredness:
Travel Light
Most people want to pack everything they own when they travel, but this can cause more problems than it solves. If you take too much luggage, you won’t be able to move around as easily, and your body will be more stressed from carrying around so much weight all day. Pack only what you need, even if you think you might need it later – it probably won’t matter once you get there anyway!
Get Enough Sleep Before Your Flight
It’s essential to get enough sleep before your trip. If you’re not in the right frame of mind, you’ll have a more challenging time enjoying your trip and keeping up with everything happening. Even if you don’t need it, you should go to bed earlier than usual to rest when it’s time to leave.
Stretch During the Flight, if Possible
Even if you must take up more space in the aisle, stretching your legs before sleep can help blood flow and prevent leg cramps during air travel.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water will help you stay well-hydrated and prevent dehydration, which can lead to fatigue. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they dehydrate your body.
Don’t Drink Alcohol Before Air Travel
Alcohol dehydrates and can worsen jet lag, making it harder for you to sleep well after landing.
Eat Healthy Snacks When Possible
Healthy snacks help keep blood sugar levels stable during travel, which reduces fatigue-related symptoms like lack of energy and irritability (especially if you’re traveling with kids!).
Charge Your Electronic Devices When Possible
Ensure all electronic devices are fully charged at all times so they don’t run out of juice during the trip.
Stretch and Exercise After Your Flight
When you get off the plane or out of the car, take a few minutes to stretch your legs, arms, and back – even if it’s to walk around for 10 minutes before heading into the terminal or hotel lobby.
Sitting still for too long can lead to stiff muscles or muscle weakness and cramps in your legs because your circulation isn’t working for an extended period (like sitting on an airplane for hours).