'Back to Slug Life': Decoding the Exhaustion of Travel and How to Beat It

As a vacation approaches, it’s often challenging to think past it. However, following or even amidst the thrill of exploring a foreign land, numerous travelers admit to experiencing exhaustion.

What steps can be taken to avoid travel fatigue? This was the issue discussed within Reddit’s travel community when a user shared their experiences regarding post-travel weariness.

"I traveled frequently during my youth, but I am now in my 30s. This week, I went on a round trip for work purposes, which was my first solo journey in nearly two decades," they posted yesterday.

Wow! Ever since returning, all I feel like doing is sleeping, relaxing, and watching TV. But my body feels achy, my throat is sore, and my head is a little painful—almost as though I’m getting sick. This has been going on for two days now post-trip! Is this typical?

Users on Reddit promptly offered reassurance to the original poster, sharing similar experiences of their own.

It’s typical. I find that constantly changing hotels really drains me more than. slower holidays "These days," answered a fellow traveler in their thirties.

“I embarked on an 18-day journey through Western Europe... when we returned to Paris for our last three days, we were content staying put,” shared another traveler.

Does traveling leave you feeling exhausted or invigorated?

For certain seasoned travelers, the journey serves as an energizing and invigorating experience, whereas fatigue sets in only after it has ended.

"Strangely enough, traveling makes me feel invigorated, whereas being at home leaves me feeling drained," noted one person.

I can easily manage 20,000 steps plus a full day of activities for two whole weeks without issue. However, once I return home, my energy levels drop dramatically. It might be the novelty and excitement driving me forward during trips that keeps me energized. I simply adore traveling.

Several individuals on Reddit highlighted that travel energy (Or absence thereof) does not occur in isolation — but is naturally connected to a traveler’s overall energy and fitness levels.

How is age relevant here?

Just as usual, the response with the highest number of 'upvotes' had a humorous twist: "At 40, I feel drained whenever I step outside my home, so yeah," noted one user.

However, a more earnest reply contended that the poster ought not to feel so exhausted at such a vibrant age.

A 44-year-old sharing their personal story mentioned they are still backpacking And by residing in hostels, accumulating between 25,000 to 40,000 steps each day during their journeys. They also mentioned, "I mainly manage to clock an average of 10,000 steps every day throughout the year as part of my regular routine," which helps them stay agile.

Some people worried that the poster's symptoms genuinely indicate a real medical condition.

One commenter notes with over 100 upvotes, "It's worth mentioning that you might be unwell. Feeling tired after a hectic trip is common, however, experiencing a sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches isn’t necessarily typical."

Traveling may entail encountering various situations. illnesses ” emphasized another. “Adequate rest is essential afterwards.”

Prepare early — but don’t overdo it. Key advice to prevent travel burnout.

Although evading a common cold can be challenging, particularly during December, seasoned travelers had plenty of tips for combating travel weariness.

A 35-year-old highlighted the significance of planning In front, so you're not overwhelming yourself in the current moment.

"I typically schedule my vacations for about eight to ten days. So far, I haven’t experienced burnout. After spending most of the day on activities, my feet tend to ache quite a bit because I’m always unsure when to call it quits. However, I consider that discomfort worthwhile," they penned down.

They proposed that the lack of planning could be the issue," referring to the original post's situation. "I typically create comprehensive daily schedules which keep me motivated. It's unclear whether I'd remain equally driven if someone were to drop me off somewhere unfamiliar without prior investigation and assume it would be an enjoyable break for me.

Planning requires time, and my vacation time is meant for relaxation, not for making plans.

Great point! As someone else mentioned, "Many folks pack far too many activities into each day of your itinerary. Instead, include extended relaxation periods where you can stroll leisurely or relax at a café. After all, it’s a holiday, not work—you’re there to savor the experience rather than tick off items from a list."

Paying attention to your body signals for knowing when to "ease off" is crucial, according to a different Redditor, who additionally suggested taking immunity-enhancing supplements during travel.

Self-awareness and avoiding overexertion are recurrent topics on various advisory websites. In her initial work, expert traveler Louisa Rodgers explores these ideas further. tip The idea is to "understand your adversary." Do crowds or heavy traffic set off your fatigue? If so, plan accordingly.

By the conclusion of your holiday, you might find it challenging to escape the reality that traveling extensively can take a physical toll. However, the joy of exploring unfamiliar destinations often rejuvenates our mental state.