Do you love to travel but are afraid of cramps, pain and swollen legs? Travel will teach you many life lessons and helps to attain clarity, happiness, peace, etc. Whether it might be a bike, car, or flight, you will enjoy it more once you start traveling. But sometimes it does take a toll on your body if not done right. It would be great to reach your destination without getting tired. For this you have to take some precautions. Many people face leg issues while traveling. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), heavy legs, swollen feet and ankles, and other limb aches might occur in people who travel frequently.
Twiddle your toes
While sitting for long periods, keeping your feet and ankles moving will support regular blood flow. Your legs grow swollen and uncomfortable if you don’t get enough fresh blood. Blood does not gather this way if you move your feet and legs about.
Try doing a heel-to-toe ‘seesaw’ and turning your ankles in one direction and the other. Raise your toes off the ground and spread them at least once an hour, or if your legs feel a little heavy. Hold for a few seconds, then relax, lower, and clench your toes again for a few seconds.
Drink plenty of water
One of the common mistakes made by us while traveling is to not drink enough water. We forget to have water due to the fun and excitement, and entertainment inside the car. But how many of us know that water helps with leg care.
Avoid coffee or soda and hydrate yourself with plenty of drinking water. Your legs will get cramps once you are dehydrated. Additionally, you need to walk to the restroom when you drink more water.
Eat healthy food
When planning a trip we should definitely consider planning about diet too. Eating too much is not good for long-distance travel, especially flight travel. Experts said avoiding salt intake a day before the journey will help the legs.
Salt is the major source that causes you to retain fluid. Your feet will get more swelling because of the retained fluid. It is better to avoid salt while traveling.
Wear comfortable clothes
Gravity stimulates blood to pool in your feet and ankles when you sit for an extended period. You can take care of your legs and prevent the pain and swelling by wearing comfortable and loose clothes.
Wear tight clothes such as jeans when traveling on a flight or car. Those tight clothes will easily slow the blood flow and stop the comeback of venous blood from the lower legs to the heart. Enough blood flow through your leg veins will make you feel better throughout the trip.
Mind your position
As you all know, flight travel is the most comfortable mode of travel than bus, car or train. You will get various accommodations on the flights. Many of us know how uncomfortable long-haul trips can get sometimes.
However, crossing your legs, slouching, or curling up in your seat to relieve discomfort is not always the best idea. Wearing tight clothing has the same impact as this. It is better to mind your seating position and avoid swollen feet.
Take a break
Try to take short breaks while traveling. Continuous and fast travel will only help to reach the place fast. But you will get a painful swollen leg due to that. You must stop your vehicle once in the middle of the trip.
Maybe stop at a beautiful spot and enjoy the view. Have a cup of tea or coffee. And most importantly stretch your legs. It will make your travel more memorable and the best tip to take care of your legs.
Wear compression socks if necessary
How many of you know about compression socks? It is intended to apply pressure to your lower legs and improves blood flow which in turn helps in reducing swelling and discomfort. Compression stockings can help prevent and decrease swelling associated with travel, allowing you to enjoy your trip more fully.
Before you leave, put on your socks and keep them on until you reach your destination. Keep your stockings on if you plan to sleep sitting up in a car or plane. They will apply mild pressure to the ankles and lower legs, preventing fluid and blood from accumulating.
Go for a short walk
Even if you don’t have the desired aisle seat, or a shady spot to park your car, you should still try to get up and stretch your legs once every few hours. Sitting for a long time can lead to blood accumulation in the leg which can maximize the chance of getting your legs to be swollen heavily.
If you are traveling by road then take a break and walk on the road. While traveling by train or flight, you can go for a short walk on the aisle.
Carry a small stool
Many people get leg pain during and after travel because they will leave their legs to fall for long hours. Not only elders, but even youngsters also get this problem while traveling. One of the best ways to stop hanging down your leg is by carrying a small stool.
You can utilize the stool in cars and trains and have the right blood flow position for your legs. If it is a little difficult to carry the small stool, use your bags. Keep your legs above your luggage and maintain a comfortable seating position.
Focus on your footwear
Have you ever focused on your footwear when you traveled? If not, then you should. Spending time pushing your feet into uncomfortable shoes can cause edema and poor blood circulation.
Many people pay more attention to their outfits but forget about their footwear. Either shoes or slippers, they must be comfortable for your feet.
Final thoughts:
Surely, people will travel with some dreams or responsibilities, and they should not get disappointed or have issues in the middle of the journey. The next time you travel, you don’t have to be afraid of covering long distances. Choose a vehicle that fits your plan without any tension of getting tired. Following these simple tips will make you arrive at your destination well-rested, comfortable, and joyful.