Summer fun is around the corner! School is out, and it’s time to hit the road for summer vacations. Time to rest, relax, unwind, and enjoy the company of friends and family!
Sometimes all that fun and adventure gets out of hand, and I will see people post-vacation with what I call “Travel Trauma.” You know, the aches and pains that come from too much time in cars or airplanes, sleeping in bad beds with bad pillows, overindulging in food and drink, and generally having too much fun!
I’ve had the good fortune to do a fair amount of travel, and have developed a list of do’s, don’ts and other suggestions to minimize the dreaded Travel Trauma.
Tips to avoid travel trauma in Frederick
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Especially when flying. Staying well hydrated will help decreased joint and muscle stiffness, headaches and fatigue. Even with car travel, drinking enough water has the added benefit of making you stop and move around during your more frequent potty breaks.
- Move! Being cramped in a car or airplane seat for hours on end will cause muscle tightness, joint pain and swelling, and headaches. A five minute brisk walk, a few sets of squats, lunges, or shoulder stretches will reduce fatigue by getting your blood flowing and brain revved up.
- BYOP (Bring your own pillow) — if possible bring your favorite pillow and blankie from home. A little comfort can make a big difference if your sleeping accommodations are less than ideal. I have also found that sometimes a few blankets on the floor are preferable to a lumpy, saggy mattress.
- Eat, Drink, and Be Merry! But maybe not all day, every day. One of my favorite parts of travel is eating amazing food and sharing a few beverages with friends. But consider keeping “indulgences” to one meal a day and try to keep the others as “clean” as possible. Nothing ruins a good time quite like an overtaxed and irritated gut and liver. Taking some good quality digestive enzymes and probiotics can also help keep any damage under control!
Enjoy your summer, take care of yourself, and be well! If (and when) you need a tune up pre- or post travel please give us a call at Frederick Chiropractic Wellness Center in Frederick!