How to Make Your Fourth of July Vacation Stress Free
The Fourth of July holiday is quickly approaching, and that means cold drinks, cook-outs, and fireworks. For some, it also means road trips to visit family and friends. With 47% of Americans planning to take road trips this year, that’s a lot of hours on the road that can lead to bickering, stress, and ultimately trip-ending migraines. Stress is the leading cause of headaches, and no one wants to experience either during a fun family road trip. In an effort to alleviate stress and help families travel this summer holiday season. Excedrin has put together a few tips and tricks for road warriors:
Snack smart
Did you know certain foods you eat could cause migraines? Nitrates found in hot dogs and the pickles that are high in tyramine are compounds that act as triggers to make that splitting headache even worse. Be sure to drink lots of water and get your fresh fruits and veggies to keep your headaches at bay and also give you the energy you need to power through.
Pack light
No need to bring your whole wardrobe in your suitcase or duffle bag. Bring an extra outfit of two if you desire, but keeping your luggage to a minimum will help reduce stress and decrease the likeliness that things get lost. Decide beforehand what are the most important things to include (clothes, toys, etc.) and leave the rest at time. If you’re really brave, ditch the iPad for the weekend.
Go beyond the book
Toss your guidebook out the window and take to Twitter for mentions of the towns you’re passing through. You might find a festival or parade to attend that interests you and your family. Utilize the power of social media to figure out what you really want to do and see. And don’t underestimate the importance of downtime. Some family vacations are uncompounded with unnecessary stress because people feel like they have to jam-pack their schedules to include every sightseeing tourist attraction. Judiciously planning (but not over-planning) your trip will make your vacation less stressful and more enjoyable.
Figure out your rhythm
Reduce vacation stress by figuring out what seems to work best for your group and adapting your travel schedule rather than feeling like you have to drive a certain amount of miles at a time. Though it may sound obvious, remember that safety must be your top priority. In other words, don’t speed or drive tired in order to make it to a certain destination or event on time. The driver(s) must be well-rested and feeling healthy not just for reasons of safety but also to ensure that the trip is engaging for everyone in the group.
Bend over backwards – literally
Don’t just rest at a rest stop. Finding a strip of grass and doing some simple stretches or yoga can help alleviate tension and reduce stress. Or take a short walk or run to stretch your legs and give yourself a break from the stuffy car. Also, incorporate physical activity into your trip! It might be fun eating burgers off the grill and watching fireworks, but why not go for a family hike or swim earlier in the day? Getting good exercise helps put everyone in a better mood and can alleviate some of the stress that comes with holiday vacations.
These tips and more can be found at a post published today at the Excedrin Newsroom.
Guest post by Anna Davies.