Why Wear Compression Socks for Travel?
Chances are that you have heard of people wearing compression socks when they travel, especially when they take international flights or other long flights. But why? It turns out that compression socks can prevent plenty of discomfort and soreness from traveling, but they can also lower your risk for potentially life-threatening conditions.
WHY SHOULD I WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS WHEN I TRAVEL?
The Benefit of Compression Socks During Travel
The key purpose of wearing compression socks while you travel is to promote healthy circulation.
Normally, when you’re sitting for long periods of time, your blood can pool in specific areas and may flow differently in some veins than others due to differing amounts of pressure. All this amounts to inconsistent circulation.
Compression socks, however, apply a consistent amount of pressure throughout your calves. This shapes and conforms the blood vessels in a way that allows blood to flow more smoothly and consistently.
The Risks of Poor Circulation While Traveling
As important as it is to have healthy circulation, why is it particularly important while you travel?
In most circumstances, even while working at a desk, you likely move your legs more often than you realize. On a long flight or drive, on the other hand, you’re typically sitting in one place for hours on end. In many cases, you’re also sitting in a particularly cramped seat so you have even less mobility than usual.
The most critical risk of this limited circulation is blood clotting. When your blood pools in one place or isn’t flowing consistently, it can form a clot, especially in your calves. If this type of clot then travels to your lungs, heart, or brain, it could become life-threatening.
Blood clotting may be the most serious health risk from limited circulation while you travel, but it isn’t the only one. Reduced circulation can also make you feel generally fatigued while also causing muscle soreness. These may not be severe risks but they can certainly put a damper on your trip.
How Do I Know if I’m at Risk While Traveling?
How do you know if your trip will put you at risk for reduced circulation? Ultimately, the primary factor is time.
If you will be traveling for more than four hours, particularly if you’re in the same seat for four hours or more, you’re at risk of blood clots and other effects from limited circulation. While you hear about blood clots on long flights most often, the risks still exist on long bus rides, train rides car rides, and so on.
Keep in mind that while four hours of travel puts you at the highest risk, you could still feel some soreness and other symptoms during travel that’s less than four hours long but still long enough to be uncomfortable.
In general, compression socks are helpful for any length of travel.
Having a Healthy Trip with Compression Socks
Compression socks serve many purposes for our health, but when you have long travel or other long periods of immobility, they can be genuine lifesavers. Before your next trip, check out our selection of compression socks for men and women.
