Home > Headache Center > Headache Resources > Library > Articles > Traveling “Well”

Print this page

Traveling “Well”

Five ways to keep headache from spoiling your trip

Travel, whether for business or pleasure, can bring on some of the worst tension headaches. Whether traveling by air, train, bus or car, the average trip can be a minefield of headache triggers. Stress, scheduling problems, diet and jet lag are common causes of headache and sleeplessness.

The good news is that, when it comes to headaches and sleep problems there are ways to avoid them. It just takes a little planning, thought and preparation. Here are some suggestions that can help make your next trip less of a "headache".

• Manage your stress. A recent study by The American Association for the Study of Headaches confirmed that airline travel is stressful and can thus cause headaches. The study cited engine noise, dehydration, lack of space and possibly changes in altitude and barometric pressure as a few of the culprits. But there are ways to counteract these stress triggers. Tune out the noise with a crossword puzzle, card game or a little light reading. Drink lots of water or juice. Get up and move around as much as possible. Also, check your luggage at the curb if you can so that you won't have to drag heavy bags down long corridors to the check-in area.

• Plan ahead. If you're traveling by car, build in time for frequent stops to stretch your legs and get a breath of fresh air. When traveling by bus or train, walk the aisles. Avoid itineraries that require you to meet tight schedules. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going. And if the pace of your activities is too stressful, try to slow down and give yourself time to relax. When you get to your hotel or motel, take a hot shower or bath before you go out again. If you think the business or social pressures of your trip are going to be stressful, make sure you take time out for some exercise or treat yourself to a massage.

• Watch what you eat...and when. Some of the food you're likely to encounter on a trip may trigger a headache. Say "no" to high-salt foods like those peanuts the airlines typically serve. High-sugar foods should also be avoided. And remember...most airlines have cut way back on food service. You could find yourself going for hours without anything to eat—another headache trigger. To make sure you don't miss a meal, pack some food for yourself. You should also avoid cocktails since alcohol is known to cause headaches. But if the temptation is too great, make sure to drink large glasses of water along with your alcoholic beverage.

• Fight jet lag. Approximately 75% of people who travel suffer from jet lag. Jet lag happens when the clock says it's one time and your body says it's another. Traveling quickly over different time zones can make you feel tired, listless and groggy. Here are several ways to reduce the effects of jet lag:

  • Try to get a good rest the day before you leave.
  • Eat lightly on the day of travel.
  • Skip the in-flight entertainment and try to sleep as much as possible.
  • If you're traveling east, when you arrive don't go to your hotel and go right to sleep. Push through the day. Spend as much time out of doors (sunlight resets your inner clock), have meals at the local time and go to bed at 9 or 10 o'clock local time.
  • If you're traveling west, go to bed as close to your usual bedtime as possible.
     
• Relax and be happy. Perhaps the best advice for a headache-free trip is to just relax and enjoy yourself.

« Back to Articles Index