Compression Tips For Travel
Whether your travel plans include a short weekend trip or a long destination vacation, there's on item you should always pack in your suitcase: compression. While compression is great to wear regularly, it is especially important when traveling. Travel usually requires a lot of time spent sitting. Whether you're driving, flying, taking a train (or multiple of the above!) you're most likely going to spend a decent amount of time sitting while traveling to and from your destination. If you're planning an international or long distance trip, your time spent sitting will be even longer.
All that time sitting has a big impact on your leg health and overall circulation. When you sit, it's even harder for your body to pump the blood in your feet and legs back up to your heart for proper circulation because your body is fighting against gravity to try to move the blood back up. Also, when you sit the muscles in your legs are not activated, so they're not helping the veins in your legs contract to push the blood back up to your heart. Poor circulation can cause unpleasant symptoms like swelling, heaviness and aching in your feet and legs. Sitting for too long though can lead to even more serious condition like varicose veins, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots.
However, there are simple and easy steps you can take while traveling to prevent these issues, plus keep your legs feeling energized and ready for all your adventures! Here are a few of our tips to improve your circulation and keep your legs healthy while traveling:
1. Wear Compression
We've already mentioned it, but wearing compression is such a simple and easy way to improve circulation, especially when sitting for long periods. Graduated compression works by applying pressure to help your veins move blood back up to your heart for proper circulation. It is very important to make sure you are buying graduated compression. This means it applies the greatest amount of pressure at your ankles and gradually decreases as it moves up the leg for proper circulation. Compression helps prevent blood from pooling in your feet and legs, which reduces swelling, heaviness aching or tired feelings in your legs. All Rejuva compression is graduated compression and is perfect for travel! Plus, compression is also perfect to keep your leg energized and feeling strong during your trip if you're going to spend days walking around and on your feet.
2. Move More
If you know you are going to be spending a lot of time sitting, try to get up and move around more when you can. Taking short breaks to get up and walk, even just for a few minutes will activate the muscles in your legs and get your blood flowing. If you're flying, try to walk around or walk in place at the airport before your flight. If you have a long flight, try to get up and take a short walk down the aisle every hour or two if you can. If you're driving make sure to take frequent stops so you can get out of the car and walk around for a few minutes or stretch. Taking short, frequent breaks and increasing your movement when you can will improve your circulation and help prevent serious symptoms.
3. Stay Elevated
When you can, try to elevate your legs. Elevating your legs makes it easier for your body to move blood back up to your heart. When your legs are elevated, the blood doesn't have to travel as far up from your feet and legs to your heart. This also reduces swelling or heaviness in your feet and legs so you stay more comfortable.
4. Stay Hydrated
Make sure to stay well hydrated while traveling. Staying hydrated helps prevent dehydration symptoms, which is especially important when flying. Staying hydrated also helps your overall health and keeps you ready and moving during your travel. Make sure to bring lots of water or drinks with electrolytes which can help you stay hydrated longer. Pack along a reusable water bottle so you can refill it and keep it with you at all times. Make sure to drink lots of water often. Don't go hours without drinking anything. Also, try to avoid salty foods and opt for hydrating and nourishing snacks. Drinking lots of water will also increase your bathroom breaks, which helps you get up and move often!