It’s that time of year where many of us are planning summer vacations. It’s a great time to get away from your usual grind and spend time with your family somewhere that is fun and relaxing. For some people that’s staying home and enjoying a staycation; for others, it may be somewhere exotic and far away from your responsibilities. If it’s somewhere you have to travel to, you’ll probably end up sitting for long periods of time in a car, plane, train, bus, etc. While there are obvious limitations, there are some things that can be done to make traveling more comfortable.
A simple tip for preparing for traveling is to pack light. You might think you need all 20 pairs of your shoes for the week vacation buuuut you probably don’t. The more you pack, the heavier the bags will be for you to lug around. If you must bring all of your outfits on the trip, try packing several smaller bags to help distribute the weight better so you’re not lifting something extremely heavy. Remember to still lift with your legs and not with your back regardless of how heavy the bags are!
The next tip for the trip is to take frequent breaks from sitting. Taking some time to stretch your legs and get some blood flowing will help to move your body and lubricate your joints to avoid stiff joints and tight muscles. This is obviously easier in some situations than others; if you are driving then you can take a break at a stop to park and walk around, if you are on a plane you will have to wait for the seatbelt sign to turn off so you can walk around the cabin.
To support yourself while you are sitting you should bring along a lumbar support pillow that will help to support your back and help you to sit up nice and straight. A comfortable travel pillow for your neck will also help to support your neck if you decide you want to take a nap. Last but not least, stop by your favorite chiropractic office for a nice adjustment to get yourself nice and loose for the trip!
Here at your local Rochester, NY chiropractor, Rush-Henrietta Family Chiropractic, we can help you prepare for your summer vacation. Stop by before you leave and get your body ready to relax and recharge! Whether you’re staying home or going to a tropical beach, giving yourself a break and spending time away from your responsibilities is vital in preventing burnout and to recharge your soul!