When travelling I like to see as much as possible, which means I cover great distances, but this can be exhausting. And tiredness can seriously affect how much you can see. In this guest post Roxana has returned to give us five tips for making sure you can go further.
When we travel, especially somewhere we’ve never been but have always wanted to go, we want to spend as much time as possible soaking in the new scenery, so we spend an enormous amount of time walking. But how can we avoid exhaustion that may interfere with our plans and limit our experience? There are a couple of ways you can make yourself feel more energized when covering long distances.
1. Have Appropriate Footwear
If you intend to stay on your feet and keep yourself as active as possible, you need to plan ahead. Instead of packing just a pair or two of your best-looking shoes for your trip, remember to also bring the most comfortable pair of footwear you own. Preferably, it should be something you’ve already worn for longer periods of time and have therefore “tested”. That way you’ll know that your feet will remain comfortable even when, naturally, they swell a bit after hours of physical activity. You will allow yourself to roam more freely and explore your surroundings without the irritating distractions that overly tight or short-distance shoes create, like blisters or sore feet.
2. Wear Comfortable Clothes
Wearing comfortable clothes is just as important as having proper footwear, and the idea is again more or less the same. Choose clothes that won’t inhibit your movement, and steer away from anything tight or too small, so you don’t feel like you’re trapped. By wearing something slightly looser, you’ll also be letting your skin breathe, which will make covering long distances feel a lot more pleasant. Speaking of skin-friendly garment choices, it would also be a good idea to opt for natural fibre clothing, like cotton. You can help yourself endure longer walks more easily and keep your strength by wearing effective compression clothing. This useful trick can help you ease the possible pain in your muscles, prevent your legs from becoming sore for a longer period, while improving circulation in your lower extremities.
3. After A Long Day Of Walking…
Before you head straight to bed, give your body the treat it deserves after all the hard work, especially your feet. First, it’s good to stretch them for a couple of minutes after you’ve removed your footwear—simple circles will do the trick here. What would also really ease the tension in your muscles and your feet is a good rub or a massage. Massaging your feet can help prevent heavier swelling or having pain the next day, when you’ll probably want to be on the move again. Rub them with your hands, or perhaps even use a good foot massager or a foot roller if you have one available.
4. Take Breaks Every Hour Or So
Regardless of your drive to keep moving and see as much as you can, it’s recommended to take a short break once in a while. Every hour or so, find a bench or other convenient place for rest. You will take some of the strain off your legs and feet. While catching a breath, you can use the given opportunity to drink water and keep yourself adequately hydrated. All this will allow you to remain active longer, and preserve your strength for what’s waiting for you on the road ahead. Try to avoid exhaustion so that your adventure doesn’t have to stop earlier than you want it to.
5. Stretch
If you want to stay on your feet for hours, then you’ll probably also want to consider incorporating a bit of stretching into your walk as well. Before you begin, spend a couple of minutes preparing and warming your muscles for the ensuing activity and making it easier for them to endure the effort. No matter how tired you are, don’t forget to also stretch after you’ve finished.
Solid preparation and a bit of careful planning and patience will give you just the kind of boost you need to keep enjoying your great outdoor adventure.