If you’re like many people, the arrival of summer means it’s time for a vacation. But whether you’re going to the beach, a national park, or just to visit a relative, traveling can often throw you off from your usual healthy habits. For this reason, we have compiled the 5 top chiropractic tips for your road trips so that you can stay on track with your health goals.
Road Trip Tip #1: Pack Your Snacks
In general, the food you can find on the road is of very poor quality. Gas stations, diners, airports, and rest areas will usually only offer high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks.
Therefore, whenever possible, it’s always a good idea to pack food for your road trip. This way, you’ll ensure that you have some healthy food to dig into that won’t set you back on your health journey.
Road Trip Tip #2: Hydrate
When you’re traveling, it’s easy to become dehydrated. In all honesty, you may simply forget to drink fluids when you’re having a good time observing the sights around you or catching up with your road trip crew.
But becoming dehydrated comes with a host of other problems. Even worse, when you become dehydrated on the road, you don’t always know where you’ll be able to stop next in order to get some water back in your system.
Always be sure to think about your hydration status before and during your road trip.
Road Trip Tip #3: Take Time to Stretch and Move
Obviously, you’ll need to take a few rest breaks during your road trip. For instance, you’ll clearly need to make time to eat and drink.
However, you should also take stretching and exercise breaks. Sitting in a car (or a train, plane, or another type of vehicle) for extended periods can cause serious pain throughout the body.
One of the best ways to alleviate this pain is to simply get up and move as much as possible. In fact, it’s a good idea to take a rest break at least once an hour, for 15 minutes each time, so that you can stand, stretch, and loosen up your body before moving on with your journey.
Road Trip Tip #4: Perfect Your Seated Posture
Whether you’re traveling by air, sea, or land, one thing is for certain: you’re going to be sitting a lot throughout your trip. Because of this, you should do everything you can to ensure that you maintain the optimal seated posture while you travel.
There are a few different theories about which seated posture is “perfect”. However, most ergonomists and similar professionals would agree that people should ideally sit:
* With their knees bent to 90 degrees,
* Their feet flat on the floor,
* And their spines in a comfortable, straight position.
This is sometimes hard to achieve when traveling, as seats can’t always be adjusted for every height and body type. In these cases, don’t let perfect be the enemy of good! Find the best seated position you can and make it work for you.
Road Trip Tip #5: Visit Your Chiropractor Before and After Your Trip
By scheduling visits with your chiropractor before and after your trip, you’ll ensure that you are both prepared for the demands of the journey and that you address any issues that might come up when you travel. In just a few short visits, your chiropractor can realign your spine and keep you as healthy as possible.
Getting ready for your summer vacations and road trips? If so, come see the premier East Islip Chiropractors at Islip Chiropractic. We can ensure you prevent pain before it happens! Book your appointment today.
Comments