Happy Thanksgiving and many wishes for a joyful season!
Amy here and I want you to have the absolute best holiday season possible so I’ve included some tips below, including some lessons from my past and recent travels.
Be proactive and prepared! This pic is from a recent drive up to see the gorgeous aspens near Flagstaff. Altitude can really throw our bodies off, which we will address below. I highly recommend getting those little portable oxygen tanks (Click here to see example on Amazon) to take with you if driving to high altitude.
So maybe not many people really travel by train anymore, but we’ve got some great road trip and flying tips you truly need to know to stay healthy and feeling good throughout your journeys this holiday season.
Road trips and flying often involve a lot of sitting. Here are some great tips to combat issues like muscle tension, leg swelling, back soreness and cramps while traveling.
1) Ankle pumps – gently extend your legs as much as room allows and flex and point your feet.
2) Butt squeezes – gradually squeeze your butt, hold 2-3 seconds then relax fully.
3) Cat-cow – this is usually possibly even on a packed plane. Sit slightly forward in your seat and inhale as you look up and arch your back a bit then exhale as you drop your chin to your chest and round your back.
4) Ideally, try not to stay in one position for more than 2 hours. Even a quick walk around the car or in the aisle can dissolve tension, improve circulation and help you stay awake which is critical for the driver! So take the road less traveled and go find some sunsets like this!
Ways Flying Can Affect You and What To Do About It:
Did you know that flying automatically dehydrates you? The cabin air has very low humidity with almost no moisture in it at all. This can often lead to issues with constipation, muscle cramps, swelling
Pro tip: Pack an empty water bottle or hydroflask so you can fill it as soon as you get through security to stay hydrated without relying on the tiny drinks from the beverage cart or paying $8 at the airport stores. You’re even allowed to bring it full of ice!
Amy’s secret weapon is to always travel with Natural Calm. It replenishes magnesium which helps combat leg cramps, promotes bowel regularity and more restful sleep.
The cabin pressure is lower than sea level so we are still getting lower levels of oxygen than we’re used to. This combined with the altitude changes and pressure in our ears, can affect our energy and contribute to shortness of breath.
Pro tip:Â Hydration helps avoid this as mentioned above. Try to get up and move around to avoid swelling. Deep belly breathing and chewing gum can also help with ear pressure adjusting and oxygenation. If you fly often, I recommend some compression socks.
Changes in time zones just amplify the above issues by affecting sleep cycles and normal rhythms/routines.
Pro tip:Â If you’re only changing time zones for a few days, try to stay on the same schedule as at home. Get out in the sunshine to help your body acclimate and adjust, particularly if a major time change. Getting exercise can also help the body adapt to play/rest cycles and facilitate great sleep.
This picture is from my recent business trip to Celebration, Florida where there was a 2 hour time difference. I didn’t feel a huge impact in terms of sleep and routine, but flying days close together took a toll, but thankfully these tips helped me rally quickly, stay hydrated and not miss any wonderful family time! We don’t want you to miss out on anything either. Please reply and share your best travel tips with us!
This information is meant to be educational and instructional. They are not able to diagnose or treat a specific issue and are definitely not a substitute for a professional evaluation.
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