With the Holiday Season coming up, many of us scatter across the country, and even around the world, to be with our families and friends. That means spending a lot of hours in small, confined spaces: Cramped up legs, hunched shoulders, and tired necks.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help mitigate that pain! Try these tips for keeping your body happy after being stuck in the same spot for too long:
1. Move as much as possible! DON’T sit in the terrible chairs in the waiting area. WALK!
Take a moment to explore the airport after you've checked in. Most major hubs have cool art displays, shops, and galleries to check out. Many of them have local historical facts and artifacts displayed as well! Check out what your destinations have, so you don't have to sit in a boring terminal between flights!
2. Use an appropriately sized neck pillow for the plane to avoid sleeping in a poor position. I’m petite so I fit better in the kids neck pillows, the adult ones push my head forward too much.
Making sure that your seating is as supportive as possible is key to ensuring a comfortable trip. This applies to airplanes, buses, and cars! If you're a taller person, go for the bigger cushion. Don't be afraid to shop around a little to find what works best for you. Remember that sometimes the best solution comes from an unconventional corner.
3. Get up on the plane as much possible
This can be challenging, of course, if you've got a middle or window seat but it's the one bright side of having the aisle - Easy access to movement! If you're driving, take plenty of rests to get out and walk around, stretch, maybe do a few of your exercises!
4. Use a lumbar support or roll up a sweater for sitting on the plane Airplane seats are notoriously uncomfortable, but it's easy to make a few modifications to help! You don't have to get fancy to have back support. A rolled up sweater is great, a pillow from home, or that coat you couldn't quite fit in your carry-on; any of the above works just great. Of course, if you already have a lumbar support cushion, make good use of it!
We hope your holidays are filled with good cheer, friends, family and that everyone manages to stay as healthy as they can!