Whether you are planning a trip last minute or you have been looking forward to your vacation all summer long, getting there can be tough on your body. Most travel involves sitting in some sort of vehicle in the same position and without much legroom for hours on end. This clearly isn’t the ideal way to start a time of relaxation, but in most cases it is the only option to reach the destination. Thankfully, there is something you can do to help ease your mind and body from the stress and discomfort created by your travels. The next time you are in a car, bus, or plane for an extended period of time, try one of these stretches and exercises to help get you some relief.
1. Begin with a deep breathing exercise to calm your nervous system and ease tension. Start by taking a deep breath through your nose and be sure to fill your belly as well as your chest. Then, breathe out through your mouth to release all of the air.
2. Try rolling your neck from side to side, forward and backward, and then in a circular motion to help you loosen up. You can even massage the base of your skull and the points where your neck and shoulders meet to release more tension.
3. Next, do some chair twists to stretch your middle and lower back. Take a breath and lift your head up to elongate your neck and then exhale as you bring your left hand to the outside of your right thigh and twist to right. Return to the center and then repeat this on the opposite side.
3. Then fold forward so that your chest is resting on your thighs. Take a few deep breaths in this position and then slowly roll your spine back into an upright position. If you want to get a deeper stretch, you can try opening your legs and reaching for the outside of your ankles or you can try clasping your arms straight behind your back and folding over. If the space you are in is too tight to fold onto your legs, you can try simply elongating your spine, lifting through your head, and squeezing your shoulder blades together. You can also try arching your back forward and backward to stretch your lower back.
4. To stretch your legs, hips, and lower back, extend one leg onto the dashboard or seat in front of you. Bend forward to touch your toes while keeping your back straight. Hold it for a few seconds and then repeat this with the opposite leg.
These stretches are simple enough for anyone to do, but be careful and stop the exercise immediately if you feel any pain. We hope these stretches can help make your trip more comfortable and ease the travel stress.
