Hydration tips for air and land travel
Travelling to Europe is incredibly exciting, but you should realize that you need to care for yourself every day. You might be so busy during your trip that you might not consciously be able to remind yourself to take care of your basic needs.
I find that carrying a reusable water bottle helps to keep myself accountable with my hydration, but I’ve also started to become hyper-aware of when I need something to drink. You must know the top hydration tips to keep you safe and happy throughout your European adventure.
The importance of knowing the best hydration tips for travel
There’s nothing better for hydration than pure water. Over time, I’ve switched from preferring sodas to enjoying the deliciousness of plain water. Water is also the best drink for your body, as it doesn’t contain any of the additives other drinks typically have, which means it can only benefit your body. If you want to stay hydrated while flying, you should know as many hydration hacks as you can keep in your brain.
Sometimes, you may not have internet access. When flying, I have to rely on what I have in my head to keep myself healthy. That’s why knowing all about proper hydration and nutrition is important: You need to be able to sustain yourself. If you don’t have access to research at your fingertips, the knowledge had better be in your head!
Then, once you have the information in your head, it’s harder to get rid of. When you meet other daily health requirements, you may find it easier to stay hydrated. For example, healthy adults should get between eight and ten hours of sleep every night to function at their best. Similarly, you should aim for 30 minutes or so of daily activity.
When I take care of myself in other ways, I notice it’s easier for me to drink more water. On days I exercise, I drink a ton of water, and then on days I don’t, I still drink a lot of water. It might be because I’ve just grown so used to drinking water that I do it without thinking. Once you know all the coolest hydration tips and how they can affect your life for the better, you might want to make it an integral, instinctual part of your life, too.
How to stay hydrated while flying
Flying can be tricky, especially since you don’t have a lot of room to move around. Planes are naturally very dry, so it’s easy to feel like you’re dehydrated on an hours-long flight. In fact, feeling dehydrated for too long on a flight can damage human physiology and might make it difficult to be active once the plane lands. Knowing how to stay hydrated while flying helps me feel ready to go once I land, up for any adventures we have planned.
1. Take advantage of complimentary snacks
Whenever my plane offers a snack and a drink, no matter how small, I always take it. That way, I can have something delicious while also ensuring I’m keeping my body nourished and happy. Your airline might have a few different options you can select from.
When I pick out my drink, I make sure to choose something that won’t dehydrate me. Getting something like sparkling water or juice can work wonders when you’re already feeling dehydrated. You might also have a water bottle on hand from when you left the airport. Either way, if you’re getting something in your system, your body will thank you for keeping it hydrated.
2. Pack snacks of your own
I always feel like I have limited options in snacks after I’m cleared to board. Still, I’ll try to look around for some of the healthiest food I can find. Vegetables high in water content, like celery, might be a good option for a snack if you don’t want to have a lot of plain water. I try to snack any time I know I will be waiting a while to board the plane. That way, I have plenty of time to use the bathroom – and maybe even search up other hydration tips to help me deal with the long flight and dry air.
3. Avoid drinking alcohol
If you’re of legal age, drinking a bit of alcohol to maybe settle your nerves on a flight might be on your mind. However, alcohol might actually be the worst option while you’re flying. High alcohol consumption can lead to greater chances of dehydration, which can leave you feeling upset and uncomfortable while on a plane. I try to opt for water above anything else, and I tell myself I can have whatever I want once the plane lands.
How to stay hydrated on a road trip
You likely won’t always be flying to your destination, which is why it’s best to make a plan for how to stay hydrated on a road trip, too. People have a bit more autonomy in cars than on planes, but it can still be tricky to keep hydrated if you’re not paying attention. Here’s how to prioritize hydration on your next road trip.
1. Stop for snacks right away
Before I actually get going on a road trip, we stop for snacks. This stop allows us to top off our car with gas, and it gives us the opportunity to snatch up anything we want in the gas station. My snack trip never feels complete without a bottle of water.
If I’m not bringing a reusable bottle with me for any reason, a plastic bottle that I eventually recycle is my go-to. Of course, if we have room for it, I like to pack a cooler full of snacks and drinks so everyone I’m traveling with has a liquid option at all times. You can also put towels around a cooler to keep it insulated, which is a stellar option for beach trips.
2. Play a drinking game (with water)
You should avoid drinking alcohol when in a car, especially if you’re the driver, but you can give a new meaning to “drinking game” by hydrating with water whenever you see a certain landmark. Plus, this hydration game is a great way to pass the time with friends! It’ll ensure you have memorable moments from your trip.
Before we start on our journey, my friends and I map out landmarks we think we’ll see along the way. When you see these predetermined landmarks, whether it’s something important or something small, you take a sip of water. It’s a great way to keep everyone accountable and have fun admiring the scenery on the way to your destination.
3. Rely on other people around you
Odds are, you won’t be road-tripping alone. When I’m traveling with someone, I usually like to remind us to drink water together. If we ever stop at a rest area, I’m making sure everyone in the car hydrates. Most people need no more than six cups of water a day, but it’s hard to keep track of that throughout the day if you’re not recording it or drinking it all at once. That’s why it’s such a great idea to make a mandatory rehydration break at every stop.
Learn the hydration tips to have a better trip
Hydration tips are everywhere, and there are plenty of fun ways to ensure you stay hydrated throughout any trip. My go-to is bringing a reusable bottle that’ll keep my water cold, as it’s perfect for just about any journey. These ideas have always worked out great for me, and hopefully, they’ll help you and your loved ones stay hydrated, no matter how long your journey is. Try something new – you never know just how it might positively affect your life!
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