Holiday Travel Tips & Tricks
The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year…unless you’re traveling. Holiday travel is incredibly busy and can be frustrating and overwhelming. Here are our suggestions for a few steps you can take to make holiday travel easier this season.
IN THE SKY
Whether you’re lifting bags up and down or hauling them across the airport, holiday travel can wreak havoc on your back. If you are going for a longer trip, check your bags and let the crew do the heavy lifting. Keep your carry-on bag light, and remember to lift with your legs and not with your back.
If your flight is long, don’t hesitate to get up and stretch your legs and back. Walk up and down the aisles and restore circulation to your arms and legs. We all know coach seats aren’t super comfy, so try to massage your legs every now and then or prop your feet on a bag to change positions. You can even rock your feet back and forth from heel to toe for a little in-flight exercise, or scrunch your toes and then release them to let go of stress.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN…
Unless you’ve got a shiny red nose and are leading the sleigh, you are probably going to face some holiday traffic. Start by dressing comfortably. Loose clothing will allow you to move more freely and do small stretches while you’re driving, like shoulder rolls. To help prevent back pain, give your back some support with a rolled up towel or small pillow.
You also want to make sure you are well-rested. If you are feeling tired, don’t hesitate to stop, stretch, and have a refreshment. You might even decide to just call it a night. If you are the passenger, help the driver by ensuring they are alert. Besides, what’s a good road trip without a few car games?
BEAT TRAVEL STRESS
Traveling can be tough, especially during the holidays. It doesn’t often go perfectly, so prepare your body as best you can. Maintain your regular chiropractic care (contact us for your next appointment!) so your body is functioning optimally before your next big trip. With all the difficulties of traveling - whether it is from airline travel stress of the need to focus while driving - you will benefit from having a nervous system that is communicating at its best. Nobody wants to suffer from back or neck pain during the holidays, and we can help!