Plan Your Spring Break Road Trip With Health in Mind
By Brandi Goodman
Spring break is close for many people. Whether you have just a few days left to wait or another few weeks, the anticipation is there. As you make your final preparations, be sure you're planning a spring break road trip with health in mind. The same should apply to any vacation you take, no matter the season.
Pack Your Meals, Snacks, and Drinks
It's easy to say you'll just grab some fast food on the way as you're traveling to a faraway destination. It saves you space in the car from having to bring a cooler packed with all the foods you need. However, most fast food places have high-calorie and sodium-packed foods that shouldn't be consumed often. It's healthier to pack your own meals, snacks, and drinks to take along so you don't have to stop and resort to the unhealthy choices along the way.
Drinks should only include water or flavored water. It's cheaper to bottle and bring it along than to buy it from a gas station.
Know Your Order Options Ahead of Time
If you do have to stop somewhere, be sure to know your healthy order options ahead of time. It will encourage you to stick with the healthier choice instead of resorting to what else is on the menu. A yogurt parfait at McDonald's is a far better choice than a fully-packed burger, for example. You could also order a chicken sandwich without the bun or mayonnaise. There's always at least a couple of decent options on the list, but it's slim pickings.
Stop for Regular Stretching
More than just stopping for gas or a restroom break, you need to stop for regular stretching as well. Even if you just take a few minutes to pull over to the side of the road, getting out and stretching out your body can drastically help improve your road trip experience. You can get stiff and sore quickly from sitting too long.
Bring Lumbar Support Cushions
The driver will especially need to keep a lumbar support cushion behind them. The activity can become quite bothersome in a short time. Any passengers in the vehicle may want some support as well because it's easy to find yourself slouching in your seat when you're on a long journey.
Your road trip should be an enjoyable experience, but also a healthy one. You don't want to forget all of your healthy habits just because you're on the road and traveling. In fact, you may need them now more than ever to keep your body and mind energized so you can fully enjoy your vacation.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Huntsville, Ala.