Save your feet when traveling for the holidays!

The holidays are upon us again! Although this is a time of year that most people associate with family, festivities, and food, it's also a time of year that has a weirdly present problem: cramped legs.

If you're one of the tens of millions of Americans who's traveling to visit family and friends this season, you'll likely be contending with long drives or cramped airplane seats—or both! It doesn't take a genius to understand that both of these things can be a quick recipe for cramped legs, but many people don't appreciate just how much this can throw off the vibes on an otherwise lovely trip.

Spending a prolonged amount of time in an environment that limits your circulation—like when you're frantically trying to contort to the nine total square inches of legroom in a Delta airlines seat for the duration of a cross-country flight—isn't just uncomfortable, it can negatively impact your sleep, circulatory health, and by extension, mood.

Thankfully, a lot of these issues are completely optional. If you're not already in the know, then this one piece of advice will completely change the way you travel. Ready?

INVEST IN COMPRESSION SOCKS.

A single good pair of compression socks have the ability to completely transform the way you approach traveling.

Simply slap on a pair before you leave your home, and you'll arrive at your destination without the usual awkward gait you'd normally have at the end of a long holiday trip. When you spend prolonged amounts of time sitting down (or otherwise, staying within a confined space like the passenger seat of a car), then blood can pool in your legs and cause all sorts of problems. In addition to cramps, this can lead to inflammation and even longer-term issues like varicose veins and blood clots. 

While compression socks usually look like a pair of stylish knee-highs, their benefits extend far beyond simply looking nice. These socks are designed to apply a constant (but gentle) squeeze to your legs while you're wearing them, which makes a huge difference in blood circulation. Instead of pooling in your legs, blood is able to continue circulating normally, assisted by the pressure these socks provide. 

Best of all, a good pair of compression socks don't have to be super expensive and can last you quite a while if you care for your socks properly. Most travel stores will carry a pair of them, but you can actually get higher-quality socks for even less if you shop smart. We recommend checking out medically credible sellers, such as the American Vein and Vascular Institute, to find the best socks at the best prices.

This also doubles as a #lifehack for giving holiday gifts once you arrive at your destination too. While socks are a famously controversial Christmas gift, compression socks are sure to go over a whole lot better, especially if your family or friends are looking at a long transit home after you're done celebrating! 

What is your favorite place to get compression socks? Sound off in the comments!