There's a Reason You Get Constipated on Vacation
Constipation during vacation is so common that it even has its own term: traveler’s constipation. At the other end of the spectrum is traveler’s diarrhea. Needless to say, if you get constipated on vacation, you’re not alone. Check out why you might be affected by it and what you can do about it.
According to statistics, nearly half of people are affected by constipation on vacation, even kids. For many people, the cause of traveler’s constipation might be because you’re thrown off your usual schedule. Time differences, not having time to go to the bathroom, all these issues can cause irregularities in your system.
Some people may not even be aware that they’re constipated while on vacation because they miss the signals their body puts out: cramps, gurgles, bloating. With all the hustle and bustle of enjoying a vacation, you may not be as attuned to your body as you are at home.
To keep things moving, it’s important to relax and let your bowels do their thing. But on vacation, there can be privacy concerns, time constraints, and other issues regarding bathrooms and their availability. Not having the usual access can lead to clenching and lack of release.
Your diet is also important to enjoying regular bowel movements and you may be replacing your usual fiber-filled oatmeal with a quick bagel while on vacation. Drinking plenty of fluids also helps to flush things out and many people don’t drink as much water while they’re on vacation. All these changes in your dietary intake can lead to constipation.
Feelings of stress and anxiety, including fear of flying, can make you stressed and anxious enough to hold things in for a while.
Traveler’s constipation doesn’t have to ruin your whole trip. By prepping ahead of time with a healthy diet filled with plenty of fiber rich fruits, vegetables, grains, and water and continuing to eat healthfully while you are away, you can beat traveler’s constipation. And be sure to hydrate.
If possible, avoid using laxatives while you’re on vacation to prevent them from kicking in at an inopportune time, like the middle of a museum visit or as you set foot on the beach.
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