Traveling can be rough. Long flights. Long drives. Jet lag. Stress. Here are some tips to lessen travel pain.

Even though the majority of travel is spent sitting, there are still forces exerted on your body. We all have to fight gravity. Sitting or standing. Sitting for long periods of time can wreak havoc on our bodies. We aren’t meant to sit for hours at a time. Especially in cramped airline seats, am I right?

How to lessen travel pain

(Chan Lowe) Source

Treat travel like an activity. You must prepare for it. Plan a warm up and a cool down period.

Before you travel

Get hydrated. One of the biggest causes for jet lag is dehydration. Increase your water intake at least a few hours before you take off. Airplane air becomes very dry as it is recirculated. This can dehydrate you surprisingly fast.

Eat a healthy meal. Often times travelers will rush to the airport and eat somewhere in the airport. This usually turns into a fast food meal or a heavy restaurant meal. This sort of pre-travel meal can set the stage for an uncomfortable flight.

healthy meal

During the flight

While on the flight, avoid drinking alcohol or soda. These drinks can dehydrate you even more. Instead, drink clear liquids or juices.

Move! Move, move, move. Sitting in a cramped seat causes unnecessary pressure in your neck, back, and legs. You can get up every hour and walk the aisle. This restores blood flow and performs a neurological reset on your muscles.

Try some of these other exercises and stretches during the flight.

These should help relieve travel pain.

exercises to reduce travel pain

We have just scratched the surface in regards to travel pain. There are so many more tips that could fill several blog posts. If you are interested in hearing more, please leave a comment below. If you would like to learn more from Dr. Cooper please call or email Cascade Chiropractic in Portland, OR. Dr. Chris Cooper is a chiropractor in Portland who specializes in helping people find better health through chiropractic, exercise, and nutrition.