The Health Hazards of Travel
By Sara Butler
With summer finally on the horizon, that means it’s travel season! If you’ve got an awesome vacation planned or you’re going to a far-away place for work, don’t discount the fact that vacations, no matter their purpose, put a lot of strain and stress on your body. Here are some common sources of strain on your body during travel and how you can reduce the toll they take!
Pack Your Suitcase!
If you’re going to travel, then you need a suitcase! That means you’re lugging around an extra 20 to 30 pounds at any given time -- to and from the car, the plane, the train, or the boat. Then you must lift it to get it where it needs to go. The simple act of taking your suitcase with you puts a strain on your back, shoulders, and arms.
To make this take less of a toll on your body, pack light. It’s also important to try to distribute the weight as evenly as you can, making sure to switch arms while pulling the suitcase behind you and as you go from place to place. If you don’t have a rolling suitcase, then get one!
Tiny Seats
Most people can’t afford to fly first class, which means leg room can be limited! The tiny, uncomfortable seats in planes aren’t doing any favors to your back and neck! If you can choose your seat, then go for the aisle. It gives you a little more room to move around and allows you to get up and stretch when you want without walking over strangers.
Watch Out for Germs!
You may be traveling someplace fantastic, but so are thousands of other people. And where there are people, there are sure to be germs. Understand that you’re going to be subjected to illness and germs everywhere you turn on your travels, so you need to prepare unless you want to spend your vacation sick!
See your chiropractor before you take off on your trip to make sure your body (and immune system) are in optimal condition. Then make sure you bring hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes with you so you can give your seats and surfaces in your hotel room a wipe down. And don’t forget to wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap as well as avoid touching your face with your hands.
Have fun on your travels this year -- but stay healthy!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sandy, Utah.