Travelers have shared their experiences that include energy highs and lows.
When the holidays are already on the horizon, it can be difficult to look at the end of the adventure. But after – or even during – the excitement of traveling abroad, many travelers report feeling exhausted.
So, what can you do to avoid travel fatigue? That's the question that the Reddit travel community has been debating, after a user posted their post-travel experience.
"I used to travel a lot when I was younger - I'm now in my 30s. I took a round trip this week for work, the first time I've traveled alone in almost 20 years," they wrote yesterday.
"Damn! Since I came back, all I want to do is sleep, relax, watch shows, my body hurts, my throat is sore, my head hurts a little, almost like I'm sick. It's the second day of this after have returned! Is this normal???"
Reddit users were quick to reassure the author of the original post, saying that they had already experienced the same phenomenon.
"It's normal. I find constantly changing hotels tiring me out more than a less busy vacation these days," replied a fellow traveler in his early thirties.
"I took an 18-day trip through Western Europe... when we came back to Paris for the last three days, we didn't want to go anywhere," confessed another.
Are trips tiring or energizing?
For some tourists, the trip itself is a source of energy and stimulation, with fatigue only appearing at the end of the trip.
"Interestingly, I feel energetic when I travel and exhausted when I return home," one wrote.
"I can take 20,000 steps and do a day of visiting attractions without any problems, for two weeks. But as soon as I get home, I go back to life as a snail. Maybe it's the stimulation and adrenaline/excitement that makes me travel. I just I adore".
Some people on Reddit mentioned that travel energy (or lack thereof) doesn't come from nowhere, but is, naturally, related to the traveler's general energy levels and physical condition.
What does age have to do with it?
As is often the case, the response with the most 'upvotes' was funny: "I'm 40 years old and I'm exhausted every time I have to leave the house, so yes," wrote one user.
But in response, another traveler argued that the post's author shouldn't feel so tired at such a happy age.
Sharing her own experience, a 44-year-old said she continues to backpack, stay in hostels and take 25,000 to 40,000 steps a day on her travels. "My main stimulus is the average of 10 thousand steps per day throughout the year in my daily life", he added. "It keeps me agile."
Others were concerned that the poster's symptoms actually pointed to a real illness.
"I'm just saying it's possible you're sick," says one comment, with more than 100 upvotes. "It's normal to feel exhausted, especially if you've had a busy trip, but sore throats, body aches and headaches aren't necessarily normal."
"Traveling can mean being exposed to many diseases", highlights another. "You need to rest a lot afterwards."
Plan ahead, but not too much. Top Tips for Avoiding Travel Fatigue
While it can be difficult to avoid a cold, especially in December, frequent travelers are full of advice for avoiding travel fatigue.
A 35-year-old man highlighted the importance of planning ahead, so as not to overwhelm himself in the present.
"I usually plan my vacation for eight to ten days. I've never felt exhausted. My feet hurt a lot after a while on vacation because I never know where to stop, I spend the whole day doing things. But I find that pain pleasant ", they wrote.
"I think not having a plan could cause this," they suggested, regarding the original author's situation. "Normally, I have detailed plans for my day to day life, which motivates me. I don't know if I would be as determined if someone left me somewhere I hadn't researched and expected me to take it as a vacation.
"Planning takes time and my vacation time is for vacation, not planning."
Well said. And it was echoed by another author: "Most people try to fit too much into their schedule every day. Take longer breaks between attractions, where you can just walk around or sit in a cafe. It's a vacation, not a job, We're not there to "complete" the vacation. You're there to enjoy it."
Listening to your body about when to "let go" is key, said another Reddit user, who also advised taking immune-boosting supplements while traveling.
Self-awareness and not trying too hard are common themes in travel advice. Expert traveler Louisa Rodgers' first tip is to "know your enemy". Are crowds or traffic factors that make you tired, for example? Create a strategy based on this.
At the end of the day, it can be hard to avoid the fact that traveling can be physically exhausting. But the beauty of visiting new places is that it invariably makes us feel mentally refreshed.
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Health