The holiday season is almost upon us, and you know what that means! After several years of limited travel due to pandemic concerns, more people are hitting the road, whether by jet setting or on wheels, to see their friends and family or to experience the world! Undoubtedly the journey, and the memories made along the way, are a fun part of the adventure. But what about the havoc that long travel can cause to the body?
Long drives and plane rides often leave people feeling stiff, sore, stressed, and even “hangry.” You don’t want this to overshadow a fantastic vacation or the time after you get home. Instead of waiting for things to get worse, there are ways to take care of yourself before, during, and after travel so that your time off is relaxing and rejuvenating.
Making sure to plan your travel in advance is a great way to prepare for a little extra self-care. If you’re driving, you may want to consider adding in a few stops for activities or stretching along the way. Even stopping a few times to give your body some attention can make a huge difference in how your body handles travel and how enjoyable your trip is physically. If you’re flying, research the airport ahead of time. In recent years, some airports have added stretching rooms or lounges. If you have a layover, you can also walk through the terminal or take some time to move and stretch.
Our bodies were not made in a way that is supposed to be stagnant. Instead, bodies thrive when they can move and fluctuate. Sitting in one position for a long time reduces the blood flow in your system, which in turn affects the ability of the blood flow to remove toxins from your body. When toxins aren’t removed promptly, your joints and muscles may become inflamed and achy.
How Can I Prepare My Body for Travel?
Before leaving for your trip, be sure you are preparing your body to travel. This may involve incorporating easy movement or stretching daily. Walking and light jogging can be simple ways to move, or you might consider some basic stretching to activate your muscles. This will also help pump oxygen through your body. Focusing on blood circulation to each part of your body is a constructive way to start traveling.
You will also want to ensure that you are adequately hydrated not only while you are traveling but also beforehand. When driving, people often tend to drink less water to avoid too many stops. However, your body will feel better when hydrated. Not to mention that you can stretch when you stop! It is also imperative to stay hydrated when you are flying. Since airplanes are pressurized with low humidity levels, people are commonly dehydrated when flying. Remember that caffeinated drinks can also add to dehydration. Drinking water or even adding electrolytes will help your body in the present and the long run.
Although we often want to pack as many belongings into our bags as possible, these heavy backpacks and luggage pieces can cause significant challenges for our bodies. Thankfully, many bags come with rollers, but we still have to lift the bags around our houses, into the car, up and down stairs, and in and out of overhead bins. Make sure you use your legs for heavy lifting and keep a neutral spine when you are lifting. It is also vital to ensure your bag isn’t too heavy for your lifting capabilities. Other helpful pointers are to move your feet with your body when rotating a bag. If you are only twisting and turning through your torso, there is a much higher likelihood of straining your muscles and causing a sore back.
Other articles of interest:
o High and Low Impact Activities Everyone Can Do
o Exercises that are Safe on Your Lower Back
o The Benefit of Swimming for Exercise
What Can I Do to Prevent Travel Aches and Strains?
When you travel, it is also essential to be mindful of your posture. Even if you are giving attention to proper posture and support for your neck and back while traveling, other things can affect your posture throughout a trip. Reading a book, rolling your head and shoulder forward while sleeping, spending ample time on a computer or phone, or leaning your body off to one side can all affect muscle spasms, tight muscles, or back and neck discomfort. Various pillows can be used to help provide proper support for your body, and it may be worthwhile to invest in some of these.
Sleeping in a different bed can also lead to potential issues while traveling. This may include body discomfort, more waking up moments, or overall restlessness. Restful sleep is imperative to an enjoyable vacation, so prioritize this wellness area. It may help to exert some physical exercise about an hour before bed. You can also pay attention to sleeping with a neutral spine and spend 10-15 minutes stretching right when you wake up or before you go to sleep.
Finally, exercise is a wonderful way to help ease and prevent travel aches and strains. Regardless of the transportation you use to travel, be sure to stop and move around. Do some jumping jacks, challenge a family member to a wall sit, or take two extra minutes to walk around the restroom building when you stop. If you are on a train, bus, or plane, consider setting an alarm every 30 minutes to remind you to get up and walk around. Anything that helps circulate your blood and activate your muscles will help your travel aches and pains.
Other articles of interest:
o How Can You Relieve Text Neck Pain?
o Improve Your Posture
o A Crick in The Neck
How Can Hunt Spinal Care Reduce Travel Aches and Strains?
These are some simple ways to travel more comfortably. Before and after your trip, it can also be a great idea to go to the chiropractor for an adjustment and checkup. The staff and Hunt Spinal Care are happy to help prepare your body for travel and to readjust your body once you return. Travel safely!
Request an Appointment | (918) 459-0333
For more information:
o Wellness Chiropractic
o Choosing A Chiropractor That Best Fits Your Needs
o 5 Reasons Why You Should Visit A Chiropractor Regularly
