I literally just got off a plane from beautiful San Diego, where we spent five days working and playing. I love to travel, but no matter how fun the destination, travel takes a toll on my body!
Here are three things I’ve found that help keep me feeling my best so I can enjoy myself the most when I'm on the road.
1- Keep Moving
Ergonomic experts say we should try to move our bodies 5-10 minutes for every 1-2 hours we sit so I try to make that my goal on flights. And after I arrive at my hotel, I try to fit in a quick mat Pilates progression every day, even if it’s on a towel in my hotel room. Just 15 minutes helps me move my body enough to work out the muscle stiffness from a cramped plane or an unfamiliar bed, and sore muscles after activities I don’t do regularly (like racking up 20K step days). On top of this, I incorporate lots of activities that make me move into every travel opportunity I have. This past week we hiked, kayaked, and yes, we played pickleball!
2- Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate
My HVAC- industry husband tells me the air on a plane is much like that on a ski slope in the winter with humidity levels as low as 5% (vs 40-60 % in a typical home). This can lead to dry skin and worse, dizziness and fatigue. So I try to hydrate as much as possible before I travel by adding a hydration packet (I use this one from LMNT) to my water bottle and I drink it before I get on the plane. (As an aside, you may want to consider booking an aisle seat, too, to avoid upsetting your seat mates when you must get up often to use the bathroom - this also helps you achieve suggestion #1). You're welcome.
I also avoid alcohol on flights as well. It’s so tempting to kick off vacation with a fun cocktail, but alcohol further dehydrates us and can lead to anxiety, low oxygen levels and ultimately, cardiovascular problems according to new research.
3- Make Sleep - At the Right Time - a Priority
If you can nod off during a flight, that’s terrific. Once you arrive, however, taking a long nap might not be the best idea. Travel experts suggest getting some sunshine as soon as you arrive at your destination to help your body’s circadian rhythm keep you alert until it’s time to go to sleep. This helps fight jet lag and gets you on the local time faster. Then, once you are ready for bed, making your sleep environment as ideal as possible will help you get the sleep you need to recover faster from your travels. I bring along my eye mask and ear plugs which help tremendously with the unfamiliar (and largely uncontrollable) hotel nightlights, night noises and electronic buttons and lights all over our room!
Here’s to our most enjoyable travels! See you in mat class whether to keep your muscles strong and supple or to help stave off some of those travel cramps and kinks.
Stacy Geant Hughes, Owner of Core Value Pilates, LLC, Certified Pilates Instructor
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