How To Stretch On Your Road Trip

The life of a traveling businessman can often take its toll on the body. Those of you that spend most of your time in your mobile office be it a plane, a train, or an automobile know exactly what is being talked  about.  The body does not do well in confined spaces for long periods of time. Muscles begin cramping and it is often difficult to focus. Now focus is not necessarily an issue for air travel or those that prefer the railroad. However it is important to maintain focus while driving a car, ensuring that you arrive at your destination safely.

So how do you help your body maintain its focus? One of the ways to ensure that your muscles stay limber is stretching. For those long car rides it is really hard for your body to stay in one position. If possible you should pull over every hour or so and do a 5-minute stretching session. Not only will the fresh air refuel your body, but stretching will make it so your body doesn’t cramp, so that toxins do not build up in your system, and so you are able to maintain optimum focus on the road.

Here are a few stretching tips that will allow you to dread those longs trips a little less:

The first stretch is a simple quadriceps stretch. Stand with your feet together. Keep one foot placed firmly on the ground with the knee locked out. Bring your other foot up as though you are trying to touch your buttocks with your heel. Bring both hands behind you and grab your foot as it goes up. Hold for 30 seconds stretching the muscle gently and then repeat on the other foot. This will help you stretch out your legs and will circulate de-oxygenated blood back to your heart, which in turn will prevent blood clots that can be very harmful. Stretching will also help lymphatic fluid flow through your body and flush toxins out of your system

Another stretch is one for your lower back, hamstrings, and shoulders. All of these areas get really tight when you are behind the wheel.  For this stretch, stand with your feet shoulder width apart, clasp your hands together behind your back, in the middle of your lower back. Make sure your arms are straight (no bent elbows). Then trying to maintain a straight back, bring your body forward towards your toes. Try and bring your abdomen in as though you are sucking your belly to your spinal cord. Allow your arms to raise straight into the air. Stretch as far as you feel comfortable. Hold for 30 seconds, gently stretching the muscles, and then release.

For those whose legs get especially tight, there is a great stretch for your calves. You can do this stretching against the side of a building, or against your car. In this stretch, stand with your feet apart as though you are about to bend into a forward lunge. Raise your front foot so your toes are pushing against the tire of your driver’s side wheel. Now put your hands against the car. Bend your knee towards the car and at the same time use your toes that are against the car to push away from the car. You should feel the stretch in your calf. When you get to a place where you feel a good stretch hold for 30 seconds, release, and try the other foot.

Now there is no way to make the car larger, or more comfortable without trading it in for that S-class Mercedes you’ve been eye-ing , and even that becomes uncomfortable after a while. Stretching is the key.  So for that next trip, do your body a 5 minute stretching favor every so often. If your body feels better so will you, and since you are your most important asset, a 5 minute break should be worth it.  Your drive might take you 10 hours and 2 tanks of gas, your health – priceless.  So stretch please!