Summer is upon us, and for many of you, this means summer vacation! But traveling can take a toll on our bodies. So how can we help support ourselves on our grand (or small) adventures? We’ll look at a few different aspects that can have an effect – stress, nutrition, movement, and ergonomics.
Travel can be stressful, both physically and mentally. We may be asking our bodies to do things they are not used to doing – like participating in a new or different physical activity, or encountering a climate or environment drastically different than home – like a huge temperature, humidity, or elevation change. Bear this in mind and be kind to yourself as you venture about. Being realistic about what your body can handle will help prevent injury and exhaustion. For example, if you don’t typically do a lot of hiking, start with shorter hikes before tackling that 10 mile excursion up into the mountains.
While we can’t prepare for every unexpected circumstance, being prepared for the things we can control can drastically reduce mental stress. Pack ahead of time. Double check reservations. Pack for variable weather and conditions and throw in some basic first aid items. Preparing ahead of time could also mean preparing your body for activities. If you know you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking, biking, ect, try incorporating some of this into your exercise routine before the trip!
Next we’ll talk about nutritional inputs and outputs. #1 stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle and sip throughout the day. Set a reminder on your phone if you have to. Staying hydrated will help offset some of the inevitable splurging that tends to happen on vacation. If you’re traveling somewhere exotic and out of the country, buying bottled water may be a good option to ensure that it’s clean and safe to drink. Another thing to think about while traveling abroad, is that your microbiome is used to a certain, relatively predictable diet. Introducing new foods may cause some upset. Take note of your bowel movements and use supportive supplements if necessary. Our colon is the end of our lymphatic system.. if things are blocked, we can’t eliminate toxins!
Traveling to our destination typically involves long periods of sitting, some standing, but very little whole body movement. Try and find breaks where you can take a quick walk and do some stretching. Motion will also help keep your lymphatic system from getting sluggish, reducing your immunity. Feel free to use my resources page for quick movement videos and lymphatic dry brushing tutorials! https://dynamicapproach.org/resources/
Lastly, let’s talk about ergonomics… airplanes and cars are certainly not made to support our bodies these days. My solution to this is to travel with props – a pillow, rolled blanket or towel, and/or my personal favorite self care device, a 6-8 inch yoga ball or kid’s kickball. The goal is to keep your hips slightly higher than your knees and spine in a more neutral position. The ball can be used between your back and the seat to keep your spine more upright rather than rounded in flexion. Experiment with different placements and ignore any stares – you’ll thank yourself when you’ve reached your destination with fewer aches and pains. *Pro Tip* (although maybe not the best safety advice) Turning the head seat around in your car so it isn’t shoving your head forward is a game changer!
I hope this helps you have the best summer vacation yet. Stay well and happy travels!
Dynamic Approach Bodywork 