Although transportation is becoming increasingly developed, with more and more people taking flights and high-speed trains, traditional trains and cars still account for the "majority" of travel during the Spring Festival rush, and the journey is often the most "arduous." In the relatively confined and limited space, dense crowds, and uncontrollable food safety... various factors can lead to many health risks, allowing diseases to "strike when one is vulnerable," and you might even bring them home accidentally.
Don't Hold It In: Holding in urine can easily lead to urinary system diseases.
It is quite common during the Spring Festival rush for people to develop urinary system diseases due to the difficulty of finding a restroom and holding in urine. Train space is limited, so many people, to save themselves the trouble in a crowded train, choose to eat and drink less, or even not at all. When they feel the need to use the restroom, they hold it for as long as they possibly can.
However, these practices can cause trouble for your urinary system. Doctors point out that for those with poor urine flow, the incidence of urinary tract infections is much higher than for normal individuals. This is because a long-term overfilled bladder can cause the bladder's detrusor muscle to relax, its muscle tension to decrease, leading to urinary retention, which can then develop into overflow incontinence. For women, holding in urine is more likely to cause bacterial infections, and for patients with prostatitis, it will make the condition more severe.
Friendly Reminder:
Supplementing with adequate water and vitamins can not only cope with the dryness in the carriage but also improve the body's immune system and help prevent constipation. If you feel the need to urinate, you should go to the restroom even if it's crowded or troublesome, as emptying toxins and waste from your body is beneficial to your health.
Don't Sit for Too Long, Otherwise Poor Blood Circulation Will Harm Your Body.
During long car rides, the lower limbs are one of the most "vulnerable" areas. After sitting or standing for a long time, the most common problems are swelling of the feet and legs, medically known as "traveler's edema."
In addition, severe cases can lead to thrombosis. When passengers are standing or sitting for long periods, they should frequently change their posture. Even without more space to move, they can do small movements with their legs and feet in their seats, such as rotating their ankles rhythmically or standing on their tiptoes. Doing these "small movements" once an hour, or massaging the lower limbs from top to bottom with your hands to help blood return, is also recommended.
Friendly Reminder:
Prolonged sitting and inactivity with a small range of movement can affect blood circulation. Impeded blood circulation can easily lead to thrombosis in the veins. If a thrombus travels to the heart or lungs, it can be life-threatening. Experts advise passengers to drink more plain water and walk around in the carriage or on the platform when the train stops. Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should try to avoid traveling during the Spring Festival rush or "Golden Week." If travel is necessary, learn self-rescue methods, such as using medication to control high blood sugar and blood pressure. When feeling dizzy, fatigued, or palpitations, open a window for ventilation, ask for help from nearby friends or relatives, and carry emergency medication with you.
Eat Well: Don't Just Eat Instant Noodles, Ham, and Canned Food.
On the journey home, for the sake of convenience, many people often rush into a supermarket before boarding to buy a large amount of convenient fast food, such as instant noodles, bread, ham, canned goods, etc. Occasional meals of these foods are fine, but if your journey is long, you absolutely cannot be so perfunctory. You should try to ensure that your diet during the trip is as rich and balanced as possible.
Instant noodles, as a staple food, should be consumed in moderation. Foods like bread and cakes should be eaten as soon as possible to prevent spoilage. Bring a few cartons of milk to ensure you get the necessary minerals like calcium. In addition, fruits and vegetables are rich in water and dietary fiber, which can meet the need for hydration and help keep your bowels regular, and they are also convenient to carry.
Friendly Reminder:
When buying food at train stations or on trains, check the brand, production date, and manufacturer's address to avoid buying unhealthy food. Plain water is the best beverage on the train; it's best to bring your own boiled water or mineral water. Fruits and vegetables must be washed thoroughly. If there are no conditions to wash them, you must peel them before eating. Due to very little physical activity and long hours of sitting, the amount of food per meal should be moderately controlled to avoid overburdening the digestive system and causing discomfort.
Keep Your Emotions Stable: A Good Mindset to Beat "Spring Festival Rush Syndrome."
Filling the long and tedious journey time is also a major part of the Spring Festival rush. A healthy state of mind is very important. If neglected, it's possible to develop "Spring Festival Rush Syndrome." During the peak of the Spring Festival rush, the two biggest stages—buying tickets and挤车 (squeezing onto the train)—are most likely to trigger psychological and mental illnesses. This mainly manifests as acute anxiety or panic attacks, constant worry, and this kind of emotion spreads very quickly in a crowded environment, casting a negative impact on passengers' psychology and safety. Experts call this "Spring Festival Rush Syndrome."
In the crowded carriage, combined with poor sleep and rest, the body's metabolism can become disrupted, and most people will easily feel irritable and bored. During the journey, you can distract yourself by playing cards or chatting with friends, reading, or listening to music.
In the confined carriage, bring a bottle of medicated oil. When you feel stuffy or tense, gently apply it to your temples and under your nose to help calm down. You can also use the train's stop as an opportunity to "refuel," get off to breathe some fresh air, do some chest-expanding exercises and deep breathing, and re-board the journey with a refreshed mood.
Friendly Reminder:
Before boarding the train, you should be adequately mentally and physically prepared. The day before your trip, make sure to get enough rest and don't stay up late or over-exert yourself to avoid physical exhaustion. For long-distance travel, it's best not to carry too much money or valuables, which can also reduce your own stress. It not only avoids financial loss but also lessens mental tension. If you feel in danger, immediately seek help from the attendants to find a solution. After the journey, get plenty of rest, drink more water, eat a healthy diet, and do some moderate exercise to adjust your mood.