Summer vacation traveling will be here before you know it. From visiting friends to going on summer vacations, traveling can be a nightmare to your physical health.
Blood flow is needed to keep your body going. Sitting in the car, on an airplane, or on a train for extensive periods of time can cause a condition called deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is caused when blood clots form in your veins due to inactivity. The blood clots can travel to your heart or lungs and cause serious damage to your circulatory system.
While traveling or sitting for a long period of time, it is important to keep your body moving. The following exercises pinpoint different areas to help you improve your blood circulation while traveling.
By stretching and flexing your feet, you can keep blood flowing throughout your legs while seated or reclined for a long period of time. One very useful exercise is to place your feet flat on the floor and then lift your heels up and down while keeping your toes on the ground. Reverse the exercise by placing your heels on the ground and lifting your toes up and down. When doing the exercise, hold each position for three seconds. Repeat as often as possible to keep the blood flowing.
In order to stretch your entire leg, raise your knees up as high as you feel comfortable. Pull each knee towards your chest and then lower it down. Repeat the process until your calf muscles and ankles are loose.
Ankles can easily be stretched by turning them in small circles. Rotate your ankles for thirty seconds in a clockwise direction, and then for thirty seconds in a counterclockwise direction. Repeat as necessary.
Like your ankles, it is important to roll your wrists to improve bloods flow in your arms. To do this, cross your fingers and motion your wrists in a circle clockwise and then counterclockwise for thirty second intervals.
Shoulder shrugs are a great way to relieve tension in your upper body. Hold each shrug for about ten seconds and then release. Continue shrugging until the tension is removed.
For your stomach and abs, stretching is the best way to keep blood flowing. While seated, bend your waist forward to touch your upper thighs. Slowly return to an upright position as you keep your back straight. In order to stretch your abdominal muscles, try to suck in your stomach as much as you can without inhaling. Hold your stomach for ten seconds and release. Repeat these exercises as needed.
If possible, get up and walk around the cabin of the airplane or train. When driving, be sure to take stops every few hours and walk around. Do not let your body cramp up and cause serious harm to your circulatory system.
PhysioDC
PhysioDC of Washington, D.C. helps patients recover, strengthen, and return to healthy living after they travel or on a day-to-day lifestyle. Located in downtown Washington, D.C., PhysioDC is an excellent resource to contact for all joint and body pain. For more information on physical therapy for your body, visit PhysioDC at www.physiodc.com .
Photo credits: Top © Galina Barskaya / Fotolia. Bottom © godfer / Fotolia.
Leave a Reply