When you’re packing for a long weekend of watching your favourite bands and camping with your friends at a summer festival, it’s easy to forget the little extras that can make the whole experience far more comfortable.
From fresh water and vital toiletries, snacks to sunscreen, here are our picks of festival essentials that deserve space in your backpack this festival season.
Take enough water to help fend off dehydration
Up to 60% of our bodies are made up of water, meaning that failing to hydrate can affect us both physically and mentally[1], which is a recipe for disaster over a long weekend of partying.
Hours of drinking alcohol in the sun can lead to dehydration, especially if you don’t drink plenty of water to compensate. To avoid side effects such as headaches, dizziness and sweaty hands or feet, stay hydrated by topping up your fluid levels by sipping on 1.2 litres of water each day. And if you’re drinking alcohol, alternate each drink with water or juice to counteract the effects of the booze, so you wake up feeling fresh the next day. You’ll be thankful in the morning!
Treat those nuisance hangovers more effectively
Waking up with a headache and nausea after over-indulging on food or alcohol can be a nightmare when you’re miles away from your own bed. This happens when you’ve been eating or drinking too much for your liver to handle, resulting in horrible hangovers that, if they’re not treated effectively, can last all day.
Our livers process everything we consume, but when we overdo it, these uncomfortable side effects can strike. But luckily, milk thistle is a natural treatment that has been studied for its ability to relieve indigestion symptoms when we go overboard with too much food or drink[2]. Take a pack along with you to help you feel better when you’re a little worse for wear.
Stock up on energy-boosting food and drink snacks
With a wide range of options on offer, festival food can be a minefield – especially when you have a food allergy or you follow a specific diet. If the festival’s rules state that you can bring along your own food, take a selection of energy-boosting food and drinks. Go for handy, portable snacks like nut butter, seeds and unsalted nuts, which are high in fibre, healthy fats and protein. Dried and fresh fruit are sweeter options that will keep you going when you’re on your feet all day.
Take travel-size toiletries
Leave full-size bottles and tubs at home. Instead, pack light with travel-size packs of skincare and beauty products. Put together your own survival kit packed with wet wipes, anti-bacterial hand gel, dry shampoo and deodorant. As well as saving on space, you’ll be able to freshen up in an instant if there’s a sudden heatwave or downpour.
Take sun cream and apply it regularly
If you’re spending a few days’ outdoors, protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is essential. Let’s face it, coping with sunburnt skin isn’t fun. Make sure you’re well stocked up on sun care products and choose a sun lotion or cream that offers at least SPF15. Reapply throughout the day paying special attention to places like your face, neck and shoulders which are most exposed to the glare of the sun.
Read more about sunburn and sun stroke in our post about essential festival beauty and skin care.
Remember your earplugs to protect your hearing
Many festival-goers often hear ringing or buzzing noises for the days after the festival has finished that gradually disappear. Although this is temporary, over time, listening to loud music can damage your hearing permanently. Taking ear plugs to a music festival may seem strange, but wearing them could save your ears, as well as helping you to focus on the music. Opt for quality earplugs that filter out background noises so you can enjoy your favourite band without affecting your hearing.
You could also consider ear plugs of a different nature for night time, which block out the sounds of the surrounding campsite and ensure you can get a good night’s sleep and rest for the next day.
Boost your immune system with Vitamin C supplements
Partying all day and night combined with a lack of sleep and unhealthy food can wreak havoc on your immune system, leaving you worn out and tired. To keep your immune system ticking over and keep illnesses at bay, get your daily dose of Vitamin C. Vitamin C may reduce your chances of getting ill after all that celebrating[3]. Fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, leafy greens and citrus fruits are rich sources of this essential nutrient.
Be ahead of the trend and take tea tree oil
Recognised for its ability to treat wounds and for its natural antiseptic properties, tea tree oil is sure to become a festival staple over the coming years. Be ahead of the trend and use the aromatic essential oil to soothe insect bites or cuts as well as skin conditions such as eczema.
Get ready for festival season
Next to your tickets and tent, little home comforts like tasty treats and toiletries are an important part of any festival-goer’s weekend. This summer, take your pick from our range of sweet and savoury snacks and beauty products and make the most of your weekends in the sun.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/
