5 Stretches to Feel Good, So You Can Do More When You Travel

Vacations. They’re some of the most exciting times of the year. No work, no school, no worries, right? Nothing ever goes wrong when you travel, right? As stress free as it might appear, traveling to your vacation can be a real pain in the neck . . . and back. 

So let’s make sure you can get the most out of your traveling memories with 5 ways to stretch when you travel so you can Feel Good and Do More this summer.

1. Waiting in Line Stretches: For moments when you’re feeling the weight of your backpack after standing in line so your kid can take a picture with a stranger dressed up as their favorite cartoon character

• Slowly move your ear to your shoulder and hold for 15 to 30 seconds, repeat this motion on the other side. This will help with muscle tension in the side of your neck and down into the shoulder. Bending your head forward and pulling your chin into your chest will help relieve tension in the back of your neck (and probably give you a killer double chin).

2. Airline twists: When you’re an hour into a deceivingly cheap flight and you realize they aren’t passing out snacks

• While both feet are on the floor, put your right forearm on the arm rest (or your thigh . . . we’re here for you middle-seaters) and your left hand on the edge of your right thigh. Press your left hand into your outer right thigh and twist, holding for 30 seconds. Switch sides and repeat until you feel better. (Or until you land.)

3. Hotel Power Pose: You’ve made it to the hotel. You have 10 minutes before your extended family is meeting you for dinner. Take advantage of the moment to stretch out your lower back.

• Kneel on the floor with your toes together and your knees hip-width apart. 
• Lower your torso between your knees and extend your arms in front of you with palms facing down. Relax your shoulders into the ground and rest in this pose until your family starts knocking on the door.

4. Traffic Braces: Apparently everyone thought it would be a good idea to go to the park today and your phone says traffic isn’t dying down anytime soon. Instead of hunching over your wheel in despair, try loosening those shoulders.

• Put both hands on the steering wheel (they really should be there anyways *wink*) and alternate between pushing your hands in the steering wheel and back into the seat, tensing and relaxing, in 5 second intervals.

5. Bring your Chirp Wheel: The 6-inch is an easy travel companion. So toss it in your backpack. Then at the start or end of a long day when you’re one punny joke away from snapping at grandpa, you have support to keep your cool.

• You’ve probably used it before, but as a quick recap, sit on the floor, center the wheel in the middle of your back, and slowly start to roll (targeting any area you feel needs the most attention). You can also stand against a wall and roll out those hard-to-reach spots. Dealer’s choice on how, but definitely try it out.

 

 

 

 

References

British Chiropractic Association. (2015, September 2). Driving a pain in the neck (and back). Retrieved from https://chiropractic-uk.co.uk/driving-a-pain-in-the-neck-and-back/ 

Class Pass. (2021). What is child’s pose? Retrieved from https://classpass.com/movements/childs-pose 

Ezrin, S. (2019, January 9). 5 poses to practice in a cramped airplane seat. Retrieved from https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/yoga-sequences/5-poses-to-practice-in-a-cramped-airplane-seat/ 

Miller, R. (2019, July 8). How to protect the back while traveling. Retrieved from https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/how-protect-back-while-traveling