Summer travel sounds like a fun idea, but is it worth the aches and pains?
More than a third (39%) of Americans agree that travel-related aches and pains have stopped them from going longer distances, according to a new study commissioned by Advil and conducted by OnePoll.
The survey, which polled 2,005 adults, found that 67% of Americans feel a desperate need to stretch and move after arriving at their destination.
35% said they hurt more while traveling than during their actual vacation. After an average of five hours of travel, 78% said they start to feel pain.
People found the mode of transport that caused them the most pain was traveling by bus (39%), followed by planes (33%), cars (29%) and trains (24%).
Common activities that could injure people included sitting for long periods on planes (33%), carrying luggage (28%) and waiting in long lines at the airport (24%).
The study found that people feel worse in their backs (38%), legs (30%) and necks (24%) after travelling.
67% of respondents said they pack pain relievers to prepare for travel-related pain, and 45% pack painkillers specifically for body aches.
But just because aches and pains occur while traveling doesn’t mean they stop once you reach your vacation destination. However, this does not stop people from enjoying their holidays to the fullest, according to the study.
67% of respondents still want to try new things on vacation and do an average of four new physical activities while away.
More than half of Americans said that trying new activities while traveling causes soreness in muscles they “didn’t even know existed,” yet 45% of participants say they actively seek out activities that require full physical effort.
People enjoy trying popular activities for the first time while on vacation such as swimming (30%), hiking (29%) and camping (28%).
“Trying new things can just be the best part of any vacation,” explained Karen Bouhadana, senior brand director at Advil. “But it’s important to be aware of what you’re putting your body through. Overdoing it will make you feel uncomfortable and can prevent you from fully enjoying your time.”
About six in 10 respondents say they start to feel pain after new experiences, and 45% feel the burning when they wake up the next morning, feeling it most in their legs (47%), back (38% ) or arms (30% ).
A third of people (32%) said they feel the need for pain relief medication while on holiday, while 28% said they need medication after the holiday is over. 44% said they would be more likely to take up new activities if they had painkillers with them.
While many people enjoy trying new things, just as many would rather play it safe just to avoid the pain.
“As much fun as it is to travel and go on vacation and try new things, it’s likely to hurt you,” Bouhadana said.
“The best way to give your body a break from pain is to get comfortable and give your body some time to rest between adventures. It’s also a good idea to pack a pain reliever over the counter, so you can be prepared for any pain that may come your way,” she continued.