Vacations are wonderful ways to create memories with loved ones. Traveling, on the other hand, can sometimes put stress on the body. For example, as we grow older, our joints are less forgiving when we sit in a car for too long. Whenever I am traveling, here are some of the things I do to avoid pain after a long day on the road or in the air.
If I am on a flight, I try to get up and walk up and down the aisle every hour to help stimulate blood flow. If I cannot get up because of turbulence, then I pump my ankles and “draw” circles with my feet. If I am driving, it can be hard to stop every hour, but I still try to stop as often as I can to get out and stretch my legs.
If your car or airline seats don’t have good lumbar support, bring a small pillow to put behind the arch of your back. I recommend back support for long and short trips.
Even if you're tempted to avoid drinking water while you’re traveling to cut down on bathroom breaks, make yourself sip water to stay hydrated. Whether I’m flying or driving, I pack a water bottle, so I can refill as often as possible. Staying hydrated prevents many stressful and painful conditions.
These three tips make traveling less uncomfortable for me, and I hope they help spur some good ideas for you to make traveling less stressful and painful.
