THREE TRAVELING TIPS FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER

Now that the cold weather is finally beginning to disappear and the snow is ceasing to exist, all of the wanderlust creatures can rejoice in more intensive travel! Travel on its own is a very healthy practice for the mind, body and soul, but there are a couple tips that I want to share with you all to make sure that no part of your health takes a hit while it is not on the forefront of your mind.

TAKE BREAKS FROM SITTING

Whether travelling by plane or car, I advise at the very least to stand up and move around every 45 minutes to an hour. This may not be the most convenient thing if you are driving somewhere 10 hours away but your low back and legs will thank you. Our bodies were not meant to sit down for long periods of time like we do in modern times. I’m sure by now you have heard that sitting is the new smoking. Sitting is robbing your vertebral discs of the pumping motion that nourishes them from walking, flattens your lumbar spine from its normal forward (lordotic) curve, and may be putting uneven pressure on your sacroiliac joints depending on how you’re sitting.

BRING HEALTHY SNACKS AND WATER TO STAY NOURISHED

We all know what kind of food you can find right off of the highway while on a road trip or even as snacks on an airplane for that matter. They are usually full of simple sugars and Trans saturated fats. Both of these should be limited, and traveling should ideally not be an excuse to get away from your health and fitness goals. More complex sugars like fruits are more appropriate along with healthy fats in nuts, cheese and if you really want to get fancy you can make your own beef jerky from some clean organic local sourced meat. Keeping water in stock is also very important to quench your thirst rather than turning to sugary drinks such as soda or juice from the gas station. The possibilities are endless, but the point is to not get away from giving your body the proper fuel just because it may feel like it’s more convenient.

BRING AUDIOBOOKS/DOWNLOAD PODCASTS AS BREAKS FROM MUSIC

Some people may be fine listening to only music for an extended car or plane trip, and that is perfectly OK. This part is for people like me, who need to switch it up every once in a while for their mental health during these long trips. There is never too much information that you can learn in a lifetime, so what better way to pass a long monotonous road trip than learning on the go? In planning for a trip, it is a good idea to plan out a playlist of music to enjoy and then audiobooks and podcasts as breaks from the music. This is healthy food for the mind. Just remember to keep it interesting and things you are passionate about to keep from falling asleep if you are the one driving.

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Traveling is a very healthy and exciting part of life for a lot of people. Following the above tips can make sure that you are not taking any missteps that can lead to bad habits or even worse knock you off of your routine to achieve your health and wellness goals. Before your trips, make sure to get in here at Stout Chiropractic to get your spine checked and so we can recommend chiropractors in whichever area you are headed.