Use these Stretching Tips for Road Trips to help keep you comfortable in the car or on the plane this Christmas!

With the holiday season approaching many of us face long road trips and time spent in aeroplanes and this can put a lot of strain on your body.

Thankfully, there are some great exercises you can do whilst being a passenger (or driving), so you don’t feel too exhausted, stiff or tense when you arrive at your final destination. The most important thing you can do is stop and stretch your muscles every two to three hours to ease muscle tightness and improve your circulation.

Keep reading below for our tips on small adjustments that you can make in the car and essential stretches to do when outside of the car, so you make those long hours on the road as easy as possible.

For a Comfortable Ride:

• Bring your seat closer to the steering wheel in order to minimize how far you have to reach for the pedals & steering wheel.
• If you are traveling for long periods of time, make sure you make small, but relatively frequent adjustments to your seat position. If you keep your spine in one position for too long, it can cause stiffness and ultimately pain.
• Ensure you adjust your posture every now and then. Wait until driving conditions are suitable to allow you to wriggle in the seat to alleviate postural fatigue.
• Choose a variety of car seat accessories that have the ability to improve seat comfort for you, from fleece covers that can soften the seat to lumbar supports or backrests that provide a massage while you drive.

 Circulation Exercises:

• Contract your abdominals by pulling your belly button towards your spine without holding your breath.  Hold for two seconds, realease and repeat 15 times.
• Place a pillow or towel between your knees and squeeze. Hold for two seconds, then release slightly. Repeat 15 times.
• Hold a pillow between hands at chest level (or just press palms together) and squeeze for two seconds, release and repeat 15 reps.
• Place palms on the ceiling of the car, shoulder-width apart. Press into the roof for two seconds, then release. Repeat for 15 reps.

Outside of the Car Exercises:

• Reach your arms above your head toward the sky without lifting your heels. Hold for 20 seconds and release. Repeat as necessary.
• Take a five minute walk around the area to stretch out your leg muscles and get your blood circulating throughout your body.
• To stretch your neck, lower your right shoulder and run your right hand down the side of your right leg. Take your left ear to your left shoulder until you feel a gentle stretch in your neck. Hold for 15 seconds. Repeat other side.
• To relieve and stretch out the shoulders, clasp your hands behind your lower back, keeping an upright posture. Lift your clasped hands out and away from the body and stop when you start to feel a little discomfort. Hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds and then release.

Have an amazing Christmas and enjoy the journey!