25 Nov 2025
Blog

Vacay Hacks: 5 Ways to Get More Energy When Travelling

Let’s be real: travelling is meant to be fun. But if you’ve ever dragged your suitcase through three airports, battled jet lag, negotiated the “which hotel pool” debate with kids, or battled the unpredictable local time zone, you’ll know it can feel less like relaxation and more like a low-grade survival mission.

Between cabin dryness, unfamiliar beds, heavy luggage, and time zone confusion, your energy reserves get drained faster than your phone on “low battery” mode. So, before your next trip turns into a yawning, sweaty slog, here are 5 vacay hacks to keep your energy high — and your “why did I bother coming” moments at bay.

1. Hydrate Like You Mean It

Flying and long transports may look glamorous, but the humidity inside a plane can dip to around 10-20% once you’re 30,000 feet up — so yes, you are slightly dehydrated already.¹Dehydration isn’t just about dry lips — it can lead to fatigue, headaches, and trouble concentrating.²

Hack: Bring a refillable bottle, aim for water every hour in flight or transit, and skip excessive alcohol/coffee.

2. Tune Your Sleep & Circadian Rhythm

Crossing time zones or even just changing your routine (hello, late dinner, weird mattress) can mess with your internal clock.³ Symptoms? Daytime fatigue, difficulty focusing, stomach upset — adulting on holiday never looked so glamorous.

Hack: If you’re flying across zones, gradually shift your sleep pattern before departure (if you can), get natural daylight soon after arrival, avoid long naps, and aim for local bedtime as fast as possible. Your body will thank you.

3. Move Your Body (Yes, Even on Holiday)

You might be in “holiday mode”, but your body still responds to motion. Sitting in cramped seats, dragging suitcases and altering your usual rhythm all reduce your circulation and can tank your energy.⁴

Hack: Once you land, do a 10-minute brisk walk, some simple stretches or even stand at the window for a bit of daylight exposure. It wakes up your muscles, boosts circulation — and puts you in “I’ve arrived and I’m alive” mode.

4. Smart Snacks & Mini-Meal Strategy

When you’re travelling, meals may be weirdly timed, heavy or completely out of your usual range. A weird meal or timed-out stomach doesn’t just feel off — it can zap energy and focus.

Hack: Pack a couple of healthy snack bars or nuts, aim for smaller, more frequent meals if possible, and choose local foods rich in colour (veg, fruit) rather than tempting yourself into the “airport burger plus mega soda” trap. Bonus: those snacks keep you moving until your next destination rather than parked in a slump.

5. Need a Clean Energy Boost? Go for 5-hour ENERGY®

Sometimes you’ll hit that “why am I still awake?” moment mid-trip: early morning check-out, late arrival, red-eye flight, or chasing kids across the resort. Enter the 5-hour ENERGY® shot: a compact, zero-sugar, low-calorie option combining on-demand energy with B-vitamins for mental focus.

Hack: When you’re transitioning (e.g. from airport to hotel) or need that extra alertness (evening sightseeing, long drive), one shot can help you stay in the game. Remember: stick to sensible doses and hydrate consistently.

Conclusion

Travelling is one of life’s great joys — but let’s not pretend it’s all pina coladas and sunsets. Between time zone chaos, dehydrated cabins, unfamiliar routines and heavy bags, your energy can take a hit.

Use these 5 vacay hacks — including a shot of 5-hour ENERGY® when you need it — to ensure you’ve always got enough juice to get the most out of your hard-earned holidays.

Packed with B-vitamins, zero sugar and no more than 4 calories, 5-hour ENERGY® is your secret holiday weapon for staying sharp, awake and ready for whatever the next leg of the trip brings.

Stock up on 5-hour ENERGY® before your next flight—visit the e-store now!

References

¹Zubac, D., et al. (2020). Up in the air: Evidence of dehydration risk and long-haul travel. Frontiers in Physiology.

²Harvard Health. (2013). Fight fatigue with fluids. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/fight-fatigue-with-fluids.

³WebMD. (2023). Sleep, Travel, and Jet Lag. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-travel.

⁴Tsukahara, Y., Kamada, H., Torii, S., & Yamasawa, F. (2024). Improvement of jet lag and travel fatigue symptoms and their association with prior international travel experience in junior athletes. Sports, 12(8), 220.