Summer vacations and road trips can be a great chance to explore new cities and sites, but travel can also be tough on the body. A day in a train, plane, or automobile can leave you stiff and sore, tired and tense. Long periods of sitting can also increase pressure in the blood vessels in the legs, which can be both painful and dangerous.
The following tips will help make your summer travels more enjoyable and comfortable:
· Take a short walk and some easy stretches both before and after your drive or flight to stretch the body and release unnecessary tension.
· In a car, train, or plane, make sure you adjust your seat as best as possible - your knees should be slightly higher than your hips and your head should be comfortably supported. And make sure you get up and move around at regular intervals.
· Consciously tense and then relax your toes, calves, hamstrings, stomach, shoulders, and arms to reduce tension.
· When flying, consider checking bags that weigh more than 10 percent of your body weight; lifting these bags overhead can create neck, shoulder, and back pain that can last well past your trip.
· If you have kids, make sure they are comfortable, too: Car seat size varies by age and weight - ensure your child has the right seat for his or her size. Also, place car seats in the center back-seat of the car and make sure its properly secured.
Whether you are driving to New Mexico for a long weekend or flying to New York for a business trip, travel with care so that you can enjoy both the journey and the destination.
Summer Travel Made Easy