We are not made to be sedentary creatures. Keep that in mind as you start traveling this summer for vacations. Crammed into an airplane seat, or wedged into the back of a car among the luggage, you begin to really feel the need to stretch, to shake things out, and to give your body the appropriate amount of movement and flexibility it needs.If you are a patient of Homberg Chiropractic & Wellness make sure you visit us before you embark upon your vacation. We don’t want you to spend your time off with aches and pains. Here are some other tips to consider when you travel:

• If you are in a car, make sure you take frequent breaks to get out and stretch. That is especially important if you are driving because not only is your lower body in one position, your upper body also is likely in one position with your neck tilted forward and your elbows up. Beside your vehicle, do some lunges to stretch your low back and bend over for toe touches. Also roll your head from side to side or down and back.
• If you are on a plane, you can walk up and down the aisle a few times. In your seat, you can practice the yoga pose cat and cow. This keeps the muscles in your neck and around your spine stretched. While seated you can also flex your feet back and forth.
• When we travel, we don’t always pay attention to our diet either! Make sure you drink plenty of water, especially if you are in a warmer climate; and watch your alcohol intake because it can lead to dehydration. Also drink plenty of water when you are flying to your destination. Airplane air is dry and recirculated. It also leads to dehydration.
• Make sure your luggage is not overstuffed, and that you don’t overload your shoulders and backs with bag to make less trips to the car. Backpacks should be worn with both straps evenly across the shoulders to help evenly distribute the weight, and when wheeling around large bags, try to alternate between the left and right hand to reduce fatigue.
• You also are likely to be sleeping on mattresses and pillows that you aren’t used to. If possible, you might want to take your pillow with you. Or invest in a good, small travel pillow. You can’t take your mattress with you, so you’ll have to make do; but you don’t have to let it ruin your vacation. You’ll want to make sure you stretch really well when you wake up in the morning. Do some toe touches, lunges, put your hands on your hips and twist at the waist.
• Don’t forget to pack your vitamins and stick to your daily regimen. A disruption in our schedules, even if it is as relaxing as vacation, can throw our systems off. Make sure you take your vitamins (hopefully a good vitamin D, fish oil and a probiotic) to keep your immune system strong, and to prevent you from coming down with something that could really ruin your vacation!

Hope you have happy and safe travels this summer!