When travelling abroad, most people usually focus on all the rest and relaxation their trip will bring, but many forget the physical effects that travelling can have on their body. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common issues, and ways in which you can counteract them to stay healthy abroad whilst travelling.
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Dehydration
Hot temperatures, lots of travelling around and air-conditioning area a guaranteed recipe for dehydration. When tap water is undrinkable and you are constantly distracted with wonderful holiday moments, it can be easy to forget to drink regularly. We should be drinking around 2 litres of water a day, and in hotter climes, it will need increasing to compensate for the fluid you lose in sweat.
Dehydration can lead to a multitude of other ailments and it is so simple to combat. Invest in a hydration pack that you can wear even on the most challenging of hikes and travel adventures. Fill the bladder on a morning with fresh water and you are much more likely to fulfil your daily fluid target. A salt replacement sachet will also work wonders if you are already feeling the effects of dehydration. Small and regular sips are the way to a hydrated and more fun holiday.
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DVT and circulation issues
You only need to sit still for four hours for DVT to kick in. Those long coach trips are just
as likely sources of poor circulation as the long-haul flight that got you there. Remember to take regular walks and stretch your calves at every opportunity during long periods of inactivity. A pair of flight socks are a great way of safeguarding against DVT, you can pick them up at pharmacies or
online.
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Weight gain
Weight gain can cause lots of illnesses; from diabetes to joint failure, respiratory problems and even heart failure. Granted this may not all occur in a single trip, but weight gain is a subtle yet slippery slope and prevention is far simpler than cure.
Holidays for many are about indulgence, and whilst a full-time diet is out of the question for most, perhaps one super-healthy, nutrient-dense meal per day is more realistic. As well as helping to combat weight gain, this will also ward off immune system deficiencies, which are why so many people catch colds and bugs on holiday.
Keeping active is crucial to keeping those lbs off. A pedometer could be your new must-take holiday gadget. More advanced bits of kit can track your heart rate and prompt activity every hour, but standard models work just fine to count your steps - aim for at least 10,000 per day to keep that waistline trim and your vital organs free of fat wrap!
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Joint and muscle pain
Whether you’re traveling by plane, train or bus, spending lengthy amounts of time in a cramped, seated position can cause even the best backs to get a little bent out of shape. The Kip-Kit is a new device, developed over a decade with the help of experts and strenuously tested in various travel situations. It supports your chin, stopping your head from nodding forward allowing you to better relax and to feel more refreshed on arrival. Make those travelling aches and pains a thing of the past!
There is no doubt that staying fit and healthy while being on the road isn't always easy but follow these guidelines and you will be well on your way!