Avoid Pain During Holiday Travel

Whether you’re traveling by car, train, or plane this holiday season, long trips are often a recipe for all kinds of body aches and pains. Here are 5 of our doctors’ favorite tips to prevent painful discomfort while traveling.

Stretching, walking, or even just a little seated movement is all necessary to avoid pain while on the move this year. Depending on how you’re traveling, we recommend trying to get up and stretch out your muscles every 30 minutes. 

If driving in a car (or a passenger), this simple tip is beneficial when planning rest-stop breaks, but for those on the train or in the air, try some in-seat yoga or walking the aisle.

Does your lower back pain flare up after spending hours driving or flying? Certain seated positions add stress, as car/plane/train seats lack the support necessary to avoid flaring up any back pain. 

One way to prevent lower back pain while traveling is by rolling up a towel and placing it between your lower back and the seat itself. This homemade lumbar roll corrects your posture and straightens out your back.

A no-brainer for some, wearing comfortable clothing while on the road or in the air prevents serious injury. Tight clothing restricts your movement and potentially negatively affects the circulation of blood in your body. You may also want to take off your shoes as swollen feet may cause lower body discomfort. 

The best way to avoid any issues with your clothing is to ensure you wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. The cozier, the better this holiday season.

Posture isn’t just for your back. Incorrect posture imbalances the body causing nerve damage and muscle pains. From shoulder pain to negatively impacting your breathing, poor posture affects over 31 million Americans at any one time. 

Sit up straight with your knees slightly higher than your hips if you’re driving. For people who keep their wallet in their back pocket, remove it, so your hips are evenly positioned.

If you’ve been on the road for hours at a time or even just sitting at the airport waiting for your flight, you can feel the effects of dehydration. The longer you are dehydrated, the more fluid is pulled from your tissues, thus causing body aches and pains. 

Maintaining proper hydration is a simple way to guarantee you won’t suffer from any issues while traveling. Water is the best way to hydrate yourself, as alcohol and other drinks can sometimes lead to dehydration.

The holidays can be stressful enough without the added pain of traveling. Make sure to save these tips to make this holiday season as pain free as possible.